Servicecape

the heart of the services product is the experience of the customers which takes places in real time . The concept of services capes was developed by booms and bitner to emphasize the impact of the environment in which a service process takes places .They defined it as ‘the environment in which the services is assembled and in which seller and customer intersect , combined with tangible commodities that facilitate performance or communication of the service In the service encounter the customers is in the factory and is part of the process production and consumption of the service are simultaneous where the firm and the customer interact (Baker and Cameron 1996 ) It encompasses several factors related to the delivery of service which includes all the physical , behavioral , and emotional aspects that surround services delivery The research is purely based on the idea of ?Servicescape? which has emerged as an important concept for understanding customers behaviour in service ind ustry. Service providers should build environments that develop environments that appeal to consumer pleasure and arousal states while avoiding atmospheres that create submissiveness. The construct environments should be such that, it facilitates the operational ease and efficiency of the firm. Today the Business thinking has changed; it has come closer to the customer or to be more apt to the consumer.It can be observed that the consumer’s decision making for purchasing a product or service is not limited to the tangibility but to the whole product including the environment of delivery. Similarly the place or physical environment where product or service is delivered is of great importance. As said by Philip Kotler â€Å"One of the most significant features of a total product is the place where it is bought or consumed. In some cases , the place, more specifically the atmosphere of the place is more influential than the product itself in the purchase decision.In some cases the atmosphere is the primary product†. The above quote signifies the importance of servicescape in selling of a product or service. Booms and Bitner defined a servicescape as â€Å"the environment in which the service is assembled and in which the seller and customer interact, combined with tangible commodities that facilitate performance or communication of the service† It includes facilities exterior (landscape, exterior design, signage, parking, surrounding environment) and facilities interior (interior design ; decor, equipment, signage, layout, air quality, temperature and ambiance).The aim of this research is to focus on how important is servicescape in terms of atmospherics in zara that impacts consumer’s perception and attitudes to buy this service. It is quite important for this industry to concentrate on physical attributes apart from food served consumers are quite sensitive about the ambience, lighting, decor, music These factors may drive the motiva tion and decision making aspects of consumer behavior , as well as the time spending and the experiences at the end . t constantly changes in to make the experience of visiting the museum more enjoyable and fruitful each and every time the physical environment doesn t just influence customers , it influences employees as weel . idealty the business enviroment should cater simultaneously to the needs of the employees as well as the customers customers and employees perceive the environment holistically as a composite of three dimensions . ambient conditions , spatial layout and functionaity , sign , symbols and artifacts. ach dimension may affect the overall perception independently ans or through its interaction with the other dimensions . ambiant conditions: they are notable when they are extrem hot cold ect.. , when the customers spend large amount of time in them , when they don t match one s expectations spatial layout and functionality : important self service setting , complex ity of task , situation when time is short sign , symbols and artifacts re important in forming first impressions , communicating new service concepts , repositioning a service , hughtly competitive industries to differentiate from competitors . Elements of servicescape affect customers' perceptions of the service experience Main Elements According to Bitner (1992) 1. Ambient Condition – condition surrounding employees and customers that can be sensed through a human's five senses (i. e. eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin). thise carachteristique of the environement pertaining to our five enses . even not consciously noted they may still affect . they create a mood that is perceived and interpreted by the custonmers they are perceived both separately and holistically . 2. Spatial Layout and Functionality Spatial Layout – the seamless layout of furnishing which is used to achieve maximum productivity in the most efficient and effective manners 3. Signs, Symbols, Artefac ts and Branding – the icons or signals that amplify the message from the buyer to the intended customers.The music in the cinema was played at barely audible volumes , the music have a powerful effect on perception and behaviour . the music was mostly played in the place where they was the bar / restaurant and we could hear it better and then it was very light in all the other place . this kind of music low but still energetic have an effect on their pace and behavoiur as they will tend to adjust to the mmusic in this case this is made to be confortable lowering their stress level , making you want to stay and will increased their level of impulse purchase in the restaurant or the bar .An ambiant smell is one that pervades an environment , the most present smell is the one of pop corn , this smell that is often associated to cinema so it make you want to consume and to buy some . neverless the scent is mostly present in the snack area . and by passing near to it the smell mak e the customer aware of an hunger and suggest a solution . this smell is typically present on cinema . Colors have a strong impact on people feeling . he cinemawolrd is mostly based on the colors blue a dark blue , instead of most of the others cinema that are using a lot of red wich give a feeling of warm and high energy that can exited and stimulate the company choose to use the blue wich is coolest , but represent relaxation , serenity and loyalty it help for relieving headach wich is a good things as a cinema can become crowded and with full of young people it can be annoying for some customers also Great color to give that impression Blue is calm, True and Honest.It is a symbol of peace, tranquility and good will Dark Blue is Moving, soulful and compassionate. This blue has heart and emotion. .   . neverless they are using a lot of other colors in the different area , in the arcade display the color is orange wich are warm color with energy Orange calls to mind feelings of ex citement, enthusiasm, and warmth. also for the snack area the atmosfere is totally different the color whyte is the most present the ligh are more bright the flor is also whyte carrelage all of this element give a eeling of space , but white is used also to give a sense of sterility wich can be great as this is where food are served so it reassure people but with the goods that are well showed and visible to the customers it give colors to the place and can attract . the lounge area is a mix of blue and red mixing a warm color with a cool one could be a bit strange but this association is often used in diverse place tjhis association give a feeling of warmth and stimulate but in the same time relax and serenity , the parquet on the floor wich is brown add a feelin of confort .The screen room are all black with low light wich give a great feeling of warmth * Orange is often used to draw attention http://fortunerep. hubpages. com/hub/Color-and-Emotion-Association Additional elements 1 . Virtual Servicescape – where the employees or the customers are not in the same physical area, but they are interacting via an electronic media – the Internet. Read more: http://www. oxbridgewriters. com/essays/management/physical-evidence-and-servicescape. hp#ixzz2MmE4NyXX A brand of a product or service is a bond (positive or negative) between the buyer and seller Brand is also seen by customers as to perceive risk, value, and signal the quality of the product or service Branding and servicescape are inseparable Branding is something that let the product or service stayed in customers' minds http://www. slideshare. net/ahmad1957/servicescapes-presentation . http://www. ukessays. com/essays/marketing/servicescape-in-uk-restaurant-industry-marketing-essay. php http://scholarworks. umass. edu/cgi/viewcontent. cgi? rticle=1177&context=gradconf_hospitality A servicescape plays four important roles. Package Servicescapes ‘package' the service offer and communicate an image to the customers of what they are going to get. Appropriate servicescaping is a sure shot way to create an image that the service provider is seeking to put up. It also helps moderate customer expectation and reinforces his experience and reminiscences. Servicescape is an outward appearance of organization and thus can be critical in forming initial impressions or setting up customer expectation.Facilitator Another important job of servicescape is to act as an a facilitator in assisting both the customers and service employees to make most of the opportunity it should make the service consumption comfortable convenient for the customer. Socializer Design of servicescapes aids in socialization of both the customers and employees, conveying expected roles, behavior and relationship. Differentiator Clearly the design of the servicescape differentiates one provider from its competitors, and hints at eth segment the services are targeted at.Companies adapt servicescape to reposi tion the services or identify new customer segments. Conclusion Although it is useful from a strategic point of view to think about the multiple roles of the servicescape and how they interact making actual decision about servicescape design requires an understanding of why the effects occur and how to manage them. The roles played by servicescape in a particular situation will aid in identifying opportunities and deciding just who needs to be consulted in making facility design decisions.Ambient Condition – tries to give the best premium shopping experience to the customer store is designed aesthetic and professional with high ceiling and luminous ambiance to create a sense of openness and spaciousness . indeed the with color is predominent on the store it directly give you a feeling of consumers able to sense that the premises are young with all the color but in the same time even if the price proposed are low , it doesn t show up in the store as the place is spacious white it give an imoression of upscale etail shope †¢male security guards in front of main entrances – security is also one of the elements for high-class people who prefer to have a sense of security when entering premises Staff is wearing a red shirt with black pant and other blue shirt that help reinforce the image of the company Spatial Layout and Functionality Spatial layout act on the emotional customers responses .The batiment is fully air conditioned on the summer and on the winter heater righ when the customers enter the stores wich reinforce the feeling of feeling safe and confortable main entrance made from clear tampered glass to provide spaciousness and a sense of welcome to any who want to enter , also there is a vitrine display outside that attract customers to enter by putting the commercial advertissement the first stage where †¦. is not really confortable to be in as there is huge colonne in the middle even if necessary its not aeteticke also the elevat or are in the middle of the room separating it . he bulding an original architectural shape that are differents from other bulding in its area we directly consta that this is a cinema . Escalator are a good way insrtead of using stairs like the cinema in occonel street people can just let themslef lift and as there is 4 stages it have an influence on the psychological customers responses . Also the seat are actinmg on the psychological response from the cutomers even if there are a little small comparing for exemple with some seat in the usa wich can be almost the dobble . he batiment is well decorated with a lot of advertissement for the movie , also there in each stage a pancarte helping the custoners to find its way as the cinema is really big and have 4 stage . there is escalator that are placed in the center of each stage so people dont have to look everywhere to find them and they found themlseves in the center of the room being able to decide where to go next , there is also a lift and stairs . the cinema is well equiped for handicaped people as he provide a lift and for the stairs a †¦.. to help them have access to the screen room . n each screen room there is place in the middle of the front row for handicaped people there is also 2 seat at each side so if they come accompanied they can seat with their friend . the cinema also care for the mom that came with babies as they is a changing room out of thel adies restroon so they can have theyr own place . also on the lounge area the structure of the place is well managed providing two style of place like a restaurant and like a bar the mix of the place providing to each of its customers an ambiance but in the same area . he cinema also is provided with a ticket collection machine making the process to take its tikect more easily neverless they are placed on the oposite from the guichet and on the wall wich can be hard to find as you will not think to look there , but they put a big sign signaling it to the customers . 12 guichet are placed on the left side we can see them directly from the entrance , there is a queue defined by a line that help to stay organised . the number is great when there is a lot of people . n the second floor where the snack area is there is also guichet , the menu are well display with picture showing and putting in evidence the goods and price , there is also menu before so when you doing the cue you can already choose , there is there 8 guichet disponible and accroding to the average number of customers comming there is more or less staff present wich can be an error as for example with only two guichet open but a lot of customers people will have to wait and then miss the biggining of the movie wich can have a hudge negative impact on the consumer experience . he cinema is also furnished with some arcade place that are displayed in every stage permitting to have fun and wait the movie playing with your friend . the cinema also provide banch and lit tle waiting room between the screen room . the restroom are in all the main stage 1 2 and three were there is most of the activities , neverless there are little and only two or 3 toilet are there for a big cinema like cineworld that can have a lot of cutomers that can be an inconvenient . here is also a garage for car , so people can come with there car and are in the cinema even if the cinema is weel placed in the center of dublin in a well known street car will alswys like to just have to come park and leave rapidely . the situation of the batiment is also real good has taxi are often there and can drive you right in front of the cinema . he screen room are weel equiped with a lot of seat , even if some of them especially from the side don t have a good view of the screen and be anoying to see the movie like this queuing up to obtain ticke can be long so poster of upcoming movies and entertainment news to ease perception of long wait . there is tv showing the movir that are orese nted with the hour and availability . the restroom are clean and brightly lit a hugde mirror is intalled there is a distributor of woman prodcut but there is no hand owel only one hand when the cinema is in a high peak of people it must be overcrowded and maybe , odorent. It s well designed with no bad seat sufficient lighting to locate the seat , spacious , confortable chair with one drink holder on each seat and a suitabnle temperatures . An easy exit through a brigly lit and safe surrounding The distributor that are placed all over the batiment are good Imax facility sign symbol artifacts many things in the environement act as explicit or implicit signals to communicate the firm images , help customers to find their way and convey the rules of behaviour . or exemple there is a pancarte indicating at the entrance the differente stage and what you can find in eact of them . there is one in each stage that are place next to the elevator so if the customers go up or down he will just have to llok at it to know where to go . also there is no smoking sign , the tickel collector is writted in silver and big letter to attract the attention and coorect the fact that the machine can easly be unsee . the restroom are weel indicated as weel as the changing room . the lift area is not well display . he lighting in the parking and the bulding is well its not too bright inthe inside wich give a feeling of warmt and confort and as the ceiling are high it doesnt give a feeling small place . just in front of the bulding is a lampadaire witch give a great light just in front of the cinema so people can fell safe especially at night . there is maternity and handicaped parking close to the entrance wich demonstrates a sense of caring and understanding of customers needs . this also can act on the belief of the consumer or employees and create an approach feeling . nvironmental psychologist suggest that individuals react to place with two general and opposite behaviour approach wich include all positive behaviour that migh be directed at a particular place such as desire to stay , explore , work and affiliate and avoidance behaviour wich is the opposite . clearly a company will want to developpe a approach behavior toward their business and in the same time descouraging avoidance behavoir . and per consequent building loyalty with a consumer , and this behavior is influenced by its perception of the environement . he servicescape also influence the degree of sucess consumer experience inside the service organisaion and the realisation of its goal . bu creating positive internal response that will lead to an approach behaviors . the employee and custormers interaction have a major influence in the experience of the cosummer , † all social interaction is affected by the fisical container in wich it occurs † they suggest that the surounding will affect the interaction the progression of event . rcade the environement condition will have an impact on the nature of the social interaction , the physical environement influence hightly the behviour of the customers , it is in this point of view that they have created area for customers to have fun or o enjoy some time between friend and waiting for the movie to start as this can be anoying to always have to check befor at what time is the movie will begin if you are just walking and want to see a movie you will have to either find the timetable in internet or go to the cinemas to check it but then we will have to wait there so in order to make people have a great time by waiting they created facilities in the cinamas for example we can find a lot of arcade game in the store . lso a place to eat drink a coffee are present as well as retroom . as a message creating medium : using symbolic cue to communicate to the intended audience aboutn the distinctive nature and quality of the service experience as an attention creating medium to make the servicescape stand out from those of com peting establishement and to attract customers from target segment as an effect creating medium using colors textures sound scents and soatiacl design to enhance the desired service exoerience and or to heighten an appetite for cetains goods service or experiences the servicescape cleacrly communicates and reinforces the cinama positioning . he fact that the employee are present at the end of the movie is also an important part of it , by doing this customers are able to see by themselves that the cinemas is left clean and regularly cleaned for its customers employee have an important effect to and represent the company as well so they have to do a good impression . use of seat instead of staying standing up wich help them and reduce their level of displeasure , also they are working close to each other wich give them a sensation of group and friendship so when their is no customers during a time instead of staying alone they can simply talk with their collegue and that help to spen d the day . and then feel more relaxed and happy rather that being agitated and stressed . also for the cleaning they sometime do it by group of two reinforcing the team basis . t s alway more easy to do something when you are not alone act on the emotional and psychological responses from the employye as this will have a positive affect on the moods and feeling and its comfort. The company is one of the most important cinema present in dublin its well known and have a lot of good review neverless it still could be improved For exemple the sound qualitie can have a different perception according to people some may think its to loud other to low so in some screen room audio casque could be provided like on the plane . but they will have a high quality of sound in order to give a great experience to the customers as the sound is really important in a movie and to provide people stolling them they could be ratached to the seat with a long cord .Also , even if cinemaworld provide some a rcade place theyre are small and separated , they could construct a bigger one by using one of the waiting area between the screen room like the cinema gaumon t multiplex in france that have a vast arcade place to play with distributor of snack they could install some couch and make it a good place to wait for the movie. where they could also meet other people . Cineworld could also replace some of the seat and add a holder of pop corn because usually people came with one popconr and one drink so having to hold one can be annoying sometimes like for the cinema in miami . where the seat also have a place to put there feet and can slowdown there seat to be really confortable they also use a system where the arm of the seat can be elavated giving more confort and better feeling like home . On the parking lot , they could put color coded floors to help customers remember wich alley they are or numeroted them . ike on a aerport The ligh house cinema situated in dublin is well known to pr ovide a book-club, an innovative collaboration with Chapters Bookstore (one of Dublins finest bookshops) where a different book and film adaption are picked each month for discussion. so they can associate movie and book and speak it s a good way to meet people . The cinema can have a lot of people present in the room so it will be good to place a personne that will be in charge to watch if people are too loudy and annoy other spectators and then provide a good experience . like in miami Also in some horror movie a proffesional could be placed and could help people if they are too shoked by some scene from the movie . A little cyberescape could be placed in the cinema where people

Does Internet Increase Crime? Essay

In chapter 16, Oscar McLaren discusses how organized crime is â€Å"invading† the internet. One of Australia’s leading figures in online law enforcement says that the internet has so many opportunities for crime, and he believes that there will be a debate on the benefit of the internet at some stage. Organized crime is the biggest threat online or at least is emerging as it. The criminal gangs’ preferred weapon is referred to as botnets, which are groups of computers that have been infected with small computer programs known as malware. Malware has been effective to the point where it even infected the Sydney Opera House’s site. Malware can basically take your computer away from you. The criminal who infected your PC, will essentially own it and most of the time, steal bank account info from you. The Australian police covertly took control of a criminal online marketplace that was being run from Australia. Some even have a â€Å"delete, delete, delete† policy to any unsolicited email. Det Supt Hay says, â€Å"If everyone followed those three simple rules, that would reduce the chances of them falling victim online possibly as much as 80 per cent.† Achieving internet safety is hard. Mr. Ingram claims that you can’t just go around telling people not to click on links that you don’t know the meaning of, which makes the internet redundant. Based on what is said, it would seem that Australia has problems with internet crime quite a bit. My opinion: I believe that organized crime on the internet is pretty major. I never thought about the whole malware thing. If I were to give my opinion before I read about the topic, I would say it had no major connections with the web. But, now I believe otherwise. If any criminal desired to, they could communicate with possible members of a criminal group. They could, like said, use malware to create botnets and connect thousands of random computers to their web of crimes. All it takes is a simple click of the wrong link and your computer is as good as theirs. The internet does indeed make crime easier. Who needs robbing a bank when you can steal a bank account from a little hideout with a computer, right? Although, shutting the  internet down is not a good solution. I am not saying it was presented as a choice, but the idea was brought up. I think more people use the internet for good, than bad. If anything, programs should be capitalized on that trace the location of a sent malware to find and apprehend a criminal. Police can track phones, why not computers? Crime on the internet will definitely grow uncontrollably. Even if they make a program to fight back, the criminals can use the internet to find another way to hack into a network of computers. It is best to just be very careful what you do, and watch what you download on the internet. Always scan what you are doing to ensure the safety of your computer, and you.

By Using Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr) the Tobacco Industry

[pic] Assignment Cover Sheet 200336 Business Academic Skills School of Business |James | |Student last name: | | | |Martin | |Student first name: | | | |17508979 | |Student number: | | | |200336 Business Academic Skills | |Unit name and number: | | | |Thursday | |Workshop day: | | | |3:30PM – 5PM | |Workshop time: | | | |EB. G. 7 | |Workshop room: | | | |Tyrone Kirchengast | |Workshop tutor: | | | |Essay | |Title of assignment: | | | |1000 words plus eferences | |Length: | | | |In Workshop Week 14 (beginning 28 May) | |Date due: | | | |31/05/2012 | |Date submitted: | | | |Parramatta | |Campus enrolment: | | Declaration: I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged. ? I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the assignment. ? No part of the assignment/product has been written/produced for me by any other person excep t where collaboration has been authorised by the subject lecturer/tutor concerned. ? I am aware that this work may be reproduced and submitted to plagiarism detection software programs for the purpose of detecting possible plagiarism (which may retain a copy on its database for future plagiarism checking). I am aware that the plagiarism detection software programs are not the only means that will be used to detect plagiarism (i. e. having a zero report may still result in plagiarism). Signature: ______________________________________ Note: An examiner or lecturer/tutor has the right to not mark this assignment if the above declaration has not been signed. ESSAY |Assessment question |By using corporate social responsibility (CSR) the tobacco industry is seeking to change their unethical public | | |image. Evaluate this strategy using three ethical principles of the Global Business Standards Codex. | Type your essay below:The tobacco industry has come under scrutiny regarding their us e of corporate responsibility to change an unethical image that has plagued them since the latter half of the 20th century. The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the use of corporate social responsibility using three ethical principles of the global business standards codex and studies reviewing the tobacco industry’s use of corporate social responsibility in relation to the health issues, environmental issues and the social issues concerning the tobacco companies. The tobacco industry’s use of corporate responsibility to change their unethical public image is ineffective and disingenuous, as they are simply using this strategy as a defence against public disparagement.The farming and production of tobacco carries widespread environmental impacts which are damaging to the surrounding ecosystems and natural processes. British American Tobacco and Phillip Morris had established supply chains in the 1990s as a means of farming tobacco more efficiently aiming to maximis e profits (Otanez & Glantz 2010). However these supply chains were damaging to the environment as well as local communities of developing countries as deforestation and the use of child labour on tobacco plantations became widespread throughout these supply chains. In the 2000s these companies addressed the environmental and labour concerns by redefining their tobacco farming procedures and implementing environmentally sustainable practices.Although it was revealed through the studies undertaken by Otanez & Glantz (2010) that the tobacco farming practices remained the same and this attempt to deceive the public was revealed to be a CSR exploit. The use of corporate social responsibility seeks to minimise risks and adverse effects maximising economic and social benefits establishing relationships based on trust to promote progress in accordance with ethical principles and moral values (Crisan, CM & Borza 2012). In terms of the Business Standards Codex, the tobacco industry violates t he citizenship principle which states that â€Å"Every employee should act as a responsible citizen in the community. † (Stanwick & Stanwick 2009).The principle states that employees must protect and preserve public goods or common grounds including sustainability and other environmental issues in order to conduct business in an ethical manner. The tobacco industry’s attempt to appear ethical was transparent as their business practices remained unchanged despite the illusion of addressing the issues. Furthermore the tobacco industry uses CSR to uphold the wellbeing of society despite continuing to produce lethal products. The health effects which occur as a result of using products manufactured by tobacco companies are widespread and in most cases deadly. The tobacco companies are well aware of their products deadly nature however they continue to manufacture and distribute these products.In an effort to repair their image, the tobacco companies used public relations e xploits and funding youth anti-smoking campaigns which have been proven to be ineffective and in fact a heinous marketing tool directed at underage smokers. (Friedman 2009) Tobacco companies have even gone as far to focus their corporate social responsibility tactics at the education sector in the form of scholarships, grants, professorships and even the creation of an entire school (World Health Organisation 2003). This use of corporate social responsibility however was used as more of a defence against public condemnation due to the unchanged nature of their selling practices.On August 17, 2006 the United States District Court found the tobacco industry guilty of a number of allegations of fraud and conspiracy (Friedman 2009). The conduct of the tobacco companies in light of this case was highly unethical in terms of the global business standards codex in particular the dignity principle which states â€Å"Protecting the dignity of people in society includes ensuring the human ri ghts of health, safety and privacy† (Stanwick & Stanwick 2009). Tobacco companies continue to manufacture and distribute products with full knowledge of the products lethal nature when used as directed, using CSR only as a defence against public scrutiny.Clement-Jones (2004) states that no company producing weapons or growing tobacco can ever be truly socially responsible due to the harmful effects of their products indicating that corporate social responsibility can merely be used as a tool of deception and hypocrisy. The tobacco industry’s use of CSR is not only a publicity exploit but a means of self regulation to avoid further government legislation on business and manufacturing practices. By implementing CSR practices into the business conduct of tobacco industry, the companies create a false representation of responsibility for their actions. This however has come under scrutiny from NGO’s as calls for â€Å"international regulation backed up by national l egislation to ensure the enforcement of real social responsibility on the corporate world† (Hirschhorn 2003).Tobacco companies have been some of the first organisations in the early years of the 1900s to realise the value of public relations and gaining support for their industry (Thomson 1998). The tobacco industry’s use of CSR is nothing more than companies protecting their profits and satisfying their shareholders. Hastings & Liberman (2009) state that CSR is another means of promotion and sponsorship for the tobacco companies, by conducting â€Å"socially responsible causes† tobacco companies are able to inadvertently sponsor these causes and promote their products giving further evidence that the tobacco companies have ulterior motives to their use of CSR.The transparency principle of the global business standards codex states that employees are not to operate in a deceptive manner and that business should be conducted openly and honestly (Stanwick & Stanwic k 2009). The tobacco industry fails to follow this principle through their use of CSR as they operate in a deceptive manner. CSR can however be an effective tool for improving an organisations reputation and ethical image such is the case of Alcoa, an Australian based aluminium manufacturing company which improved its standing in the community with effective CSR practices (Black, Sydney-Smith & Zhao 2009). The use of CSR by organisations such as tobacco companies can never truly be an effective strategy as long as the manufacture of harmful products continues under these organisations.Using three principles of the business standards codex as well as the use of CSR by the tobacco industry to secure public support, it has been shown that these strategies have ulterior motives and are purely marketing tools used by these companies to conceal the promotion of their products which is banned by legislation. CSR however can remain a highly effective tool for public relations as long as the intentions of those organisations are beneficial to society. References Type your reference list in alphabetical order below: Black, LD, Sydney-Smith, K & Zhao, Y 2009, How Business Behaviour Contributes to Reputation and Perceptions of Performance: A Case Study of Alcoa of Australia, viewed April 2012, .Clement-Jones, T 2004 ‘Coporate social responsibility – bottom-line issue or public relations exercise? ’ in J Hancock (ed), Investing in corporate social responsibility: a guide to best practice, business planning & the UK's leading companies, 1st edn, Kogan Page Limited. , London, United Kingdom. Crisan, CM & Borza, A 2012, ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibilities’ International Business Research, 2 February, viewed 4 April 2012, http://search. proquest. com. ezproxy. uws. edu. au/docview/963357717/fulltextPDF? accountid=36155;. Friedman, L 2009, ‘Tobacco industry use of corporate social responsibility tactics as a swor d and shield on second hand smoke issues’, Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 19-827 viewed 11 April 2012, University of Western Sydney Database, DOI: 10. 1111/j. 1748-720X. 2009. 00453. x Hirschhorn, N 2004, ‘Corporate social responsibility and the tobacco industry: hope or hype? ’, Tobacco Control, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 445-453, viewed 7 May 2012, University of Western Sydney Library database, DOI 10. 1136/tc. 2003. 006676 Hastings, G, Liberman, J 2009 ‘Tobacco corporate social responsibility and fairy godmothers: the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control slays a modern myth’, Tobacco Control, vol 18 no. 2 pp 73-74, viewed 9 May 2012, University of Western Sydney Library database, DOI 10. 1136/tc. 2008. 029264 Otanez, M, Glantz, G 2011 ‘Social responsibility in tobacco production?Tobacco companies’ use of green supply chains to obscure the real costs of tobacco farming’, Tobacco Control, vol 20 no. 6, pp403 -411, viewed 5 May 2012, University of Western Sydney Library database, DOI 10. 1136/tc. 2010. 039537 Stanwick, P & Stanwick S 2009, ‘The foundation of ethical thought’ , in Campbell, N (ed. ) , Business academic skills, 4th edn, Pearson Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW Thomson, S. R. 1998, Public Relations and the Tobacco Industry: Examining the Debate on Practitioner Ethics, Journal of Mass Media Ethics: Exploring Questions of Media Morality, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 152-164, viewed 3 April 2012, UWS Library database, DOI 10. 207/s15327728jmme1303_2 World Health Organiation 2003, Tobacco industry and corporate responsibility†¦ an inherent contradiction view 3 April 2012, . |ESSAY /100 | | |Clear Fail |Needs Work |Pass |Credit |Distinction |High Distinction | |STRUCTURE | |Introduction |There is no introduction. The introduction: |The introduction: |The introduction: |The introduction: |The introduction: | | | |Has no clear thesis statement OR|Has a thesis statement and |Has a thesis statement |Has a clear thesis statement |Has a clear thesis statement that | | | |The thesis statement is not |Outlines the main points that |Outlines the main points that |that relates back to the |relates back to the question | | | |related to the essay question |support your position but may or|support your position but may or|question |Outlines the main points that | | | |and |may not be in the correct order. may not be in the correct order |Outlines the main points that |support your position in the correct| | | |Does not outline the main points| |and |support your position in the |order and | | | |that support your position. | |Has a few general statements |correct order and |Has a few general statements about | | | | | |related to the topic. Has a few general statements |the topic that clarifies your | | | | | | |about the topic. |interpretation of the question. | |/10 | | | | | | | | |0 |0. 5-4. 5 |5. 0-6. 0 |6. 5-7. 0 |7. 5-8. 0 |8. -10 | | |The arguments are not relevant |The arguments are somewhat |The arguments are relevant to |The arguments are mostly |The arguments are relevant to |The arguments are highly relevant to| |Arguments, structure and |to the essay question and do not|relevant to the essay question |the essay question but may not |relevant to the essay question |the essay question and mostly |the essay question and support the | |Cohesion |support the thesis statement or |but do not support the thesis |support the thesis statement |and somewhat support the thesis |support the thesis statement |thesis statement | | |The paragraphs are not well statement and |Some paragraphs are structured |statement |Each paragraph is structured |Each paragraph is structured well | | |structured and |The paragraphs are not well |well but may or may not have a |Each paragraph is usually |well with one topic and |with one topic and concluding | | |The sequence does not match the |structured and |single topic. |structured well with one topic | concluding sentence. |sentence which links back to the | | |outline in the introduction. |The sequence does not match the |Some paragraphs are linked and |and concluding sentence. |Most paragraphs and ideas are |thesis statement. | | | |outline in the introduction. The sequence may or may not |Most paragraphs are clearly |clearly linked and |All paragraphs and ideas are | | | | |match the outline in the |linked and |The sequence matches the outline|effectively linked and | | | | |introduction. |The sequence matches the outline|in the introduction. |The sequence matches the outline in | | | | | |in the introduction. | |the introduction. |/25 | | | | | | | | |0-7. 0 |7. 5-12. 0 |12. 5-16. 0 |16. 5-18. 5 |19. 0-21. 0 |21. 5-25 | |Use of evidence |There is no supporting evidence |The evidence that is presented: |The evidence that is presented: |The evidence that is presented: |The evidence that is presented: |The evidence that is presented: | | |for the arguments presented. |Does not in corporate at least 3 |Incorporates at least 3 of the |Incorporates at least 3 of the Incorporates at least 3 of the |Incorporates at least 3 of the | | | |of the required readings |required readings |required readings |required readings |required readings | | | |Is limited and |Supports the arguments but |Supports the arguments |Supports the arguments |Supports the arguments from a number| | | |Is a descriptive summary. |Is a descriptive summary. |Elaborates on its relevance and |Elaborates on its relevance and |of perspectives | | | | | |Uses descriptive ethics. |Uses descriptive and analytical |Evaluates relevance and | | | | | | |ethics. Uses descriptive, analytical and | | | | | | | |normative ethics. | |/20 | | | | | | | | |0-5. 5 |6. 0-9. 5 |10. 0-12. 5 |13. 0-14. 5 |15. 0-16. 5 |17. 0-20 | | |There is no conclusion. The conclusion: |The conclusion: |The conclusion: |The conclusion: |The conclusion: | |Conclusion | |Summarises some of the |Summarises some of the |Summarises so me of the main |Summarises most of the main |Summarises all the main arguments in| | | |information presented in the |information presented in the |arguments in the body of the |arguments in the body of the |the body of the essay; | | | |body but |body and |essay and |essay and |Restates the thesis statement and | | | |Does not restate the thesis |Restates the thesis statement. |Restates the thesis statement. |Restates the thesis statement. Makes a final comment without | | | |statement. | | | |introducing new ideas. | |/10 | | | | | | | | |0 |. 5-4. 5 |5. 0-6. 0 |6. 5-7. 0 |7. 5-8. 0 |8. -10 | |Academic writing style |Does not use: |Does not use: |May or may not use: |Sometimes uses: |Mostly uses: |Always uses: | | |Objective and subjective |Objective and subjective |Objective and subjective |Objective and subjective |Objective and subjective |Objective and subjective language | | |language appropriately |language appropriately |language appropriately |language appropriately |langu age appropriately |appropriately | | |Connections between ideas and |Connections between ideas and |Connections between ideas and |Clear and logical connections |Concise and formal ideas |Concise and formal ideas | | |sentences AND |sentences or |sentences and/or |between ideas and sentences |Clear and logical connections |Clear and logical connections | | |Formal academic writing. |Formal academic writing. |Formal academic writing. |and/or |between ideas and sentences |between ideas and sentences and | | | | | |Formal academic writing. |and/or |Formal academic writing. | | | | | |Formal academic writing. | | |/5 | | | | | | | | |0-1. 0 |1. 5-2. 0 |2. 5-3. 0 |3. 5 |4. 0 |4. 5-5. 0 | REFERENCING | |In-text citation |Few or no resources are |Some resources are acknowledged |Most resources are acknowledged |Most resources are acknowledged |All resources are acknowledged but|All resources are acknowledged | | |acknowledged OR |May or may not follow the Harvard |but |Accurately follow th e Harvard |Do not accurately follow the |Accurately follow the Harvard | | |Do not follow the Harvard system |system OR |Do not accurately follow the |system and |Harvard system and |system and | | |OR |Uses too many direct quotes. |Harvard system and |May or may not use too many direct|Quotes minimally and |Uses own words. | | |Uses direct quotes excessively. | |May or may not use too many direct|quotes. |appropriately. | | | | |quotes. | | | | |/10 | | | | | | | | |0-2. 5 |3. 0-4. 5 |5. 0-6. 0 |6. 5-7. 0 |7. 5-8. 0 |8. -10 | |Reference list |There are less than 6 scholarly |There are less than 6 scholarly |There are at least 6 scholarly |There are at least 7-9 scholarly |There are 10 scholarly references |There are 10 scholarly references | | |references and |references OR |references |references |Most references are cited in the |All references are cited in the | | |Most references are not in the |Most references are not in the |Most references are cited in the |Most references a re cited in the |body of the essay and/or |body of the essay and | | |body of the essay or |body of the essay and |body of the essay and |body of the essay and/or |The Harvard style is near perfect. The Harvard style is perfect. | | |It is not in Harvard style. |It is not in Harvard style. |It is in Harvard style. |The Harvard style is good. | | | |/10 | | | | | | | | |0-2. 5 |3. 0-4. 5 |5. 0-6. 0 |6. 5-7. 0 |7. 5-8. 0 |8. -10 | |GRAMMAR AND PRESENTATION | |Spelling, grammar &|There are major grammatical errors|There are a lot of spelling, |There are some spelling, |There are a few spelling, |There are minor spelling, |There are no spelling, grammatical| |punctuation |which make the essay difficult to |grammatical and punctuation |grammatical and punctuation |grammatical and punctuation |grammatical and punctuation |and punctuation errors. | | |comprehend. |errors. |errors. |errors. |errors. | | |/5 | | | | | | | | |0-1. 0 |1. 5-2. 0 |2. 5-3. 0 |3. 5 |4. 0 |4. 5-5. | |Presentation | Does not: |Does not: |Uses assessment template |Uses assessment template |Uses assessment template |Uses assessment template | | |Use assessment template |Use assessment template OR |Fills in some of the coversheet |Fills in some of the coversheet |Fills in most of the coversheet |Fills in all of the coversheet | | |Sign declaration on coversheet AND|Fill in the coversheet OR |correctly |correctly |correctly |correctly | | |Adhere to word limit. Sign declaration OR |Signs declaration and |Ticks the boxes and signs |Ticks the boxes and signs |Ticks the boxes and signs | | | |Adhere to word limit. |Adheres to word limit. |declaration and |declaration and |declaration and | | | | | |Adheres to word limit. |Adheres to word limit. |Adheres to word limit. | |/5 | | | | | | | | |0 |0. 5-2. |2. 5-3. 0 |3. 5 |4. 0 |4. 5-5. 0 | additional comments: |Sub-Total |Number of Days Late |Late Penalties |Total | |(100) | |(minus 10 marks/day) |(100) | | | | | | | | | | |

Critical evaluation organization's Resources and Capabilities of Coursework - 1

Critical evaluation organization's Resources and Capabilities of Starbucks in China. (internal environment) - Coursework Example In the case of Starbucks an effective Resources strategy should focus on the employment of unique resources so that a competitive advantage is acquired towards the firm’s major competitors. The potentials of Starbucks to develop such advantage is analyzed below by referring to the firm’s performance in regard to each of the elements of the Resource-based theory. 1.1 Tangible Resources The tangible resources of organizations are assets that have a physical existence; the buildings in which business operations are developed and the cash available to the business are assets of this kind (Sehgal 2010). In China, as in all countries worldwide, Starbucks is characterized by specific features as of the style/ decoration of its stores and the dinnerware sets/ cups used for serving the customers (Starbucks Coffee International 2013). However, these features are not unique since they can be identified, with differentiations, in other brands operating in the same sector. According to Wang (2012) the interior of Starbuck’s stores across China is unique not only in regard to decoration but also as of the chairs available to customers and the style of music chosen; in this context, it is noted that the stores of Starbucks in China offer to the business a unique competence towards the competitors (Wang 2012). 1.2 Intangible Resources The intangible resources of a business do not have a physical existence; intellectual property rights that the business have in regard to its products and the brands that the business owns are common examples of intangible resources (Sehgal 2010). For achieving a high competitiveness through its intangible resources, a firm needs to periodically update those resources, according to the market trends. The example of Toyota that developed Lexus as a separate brand so that it is able to increase its competitiveness in the luxury cars sector is important for understanding such practice (Sehgal 2010, p.44). In the above case, Toyo ta would not be able to enter this sector without the employment of a unique resource, such as the new brand (Sehgal 2010, p.44). 1.3 Human Resources Human resources can also lead to competitive advantage if they are unique (Rao and Sivaramakrishna 2009). The uniqueness of these resources would be related to a variety of issues, such as the quality of training, the hiring/ selection process or the performance appraisal (Rao and Sivaramakrishna 2009). In Starbucks employees are given the training that it is commonly available to the sector’s employees; also, no unique feature seems to exist in regard to the firm’s selection/ hiring process or the skills/ competencies of employees (Starbucks Coffee International 2013) 2.0 Starbucks’s Capabilities strategy in term of Value chain At the next level, the Capabilities strategy of Starbucks should be also reviewed. Porter’s Value Chain model could be used for evaluating the specific strategy of Starbucks. Accordi ng to Porter (2008) the activities of each organization contribute, more or less, to the development of products/ services that ‘are valuable to their buyers’ (Porter 2008, p.38). These activities can be categorized into ‘

Inaugural Address of Barack Obama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Inaugural Address of Barack Obama - Essay Example The most successful use of addressing the emotional needs of the American audience was the clever interplay of words. The way he also appealed to the audience’s emotion and logic was a combination of arguments, evidence, and language. The use of such emotion-generating phrases like â€Å"gathering clouds and raging storms†, â€Å"noble ideas†, â€Å"the greatness of our nation†, and â€Å"bitter swill of civil war and segregation† (Obama, We Seek A New Way Forward) in his speech are consistent, effectively, and cleverly infused throughout the various subjects that he was discussing that his attempt to persuade his audience by tapping into their emotions was prevalent throughout the speech that it blended so well it sounded natural. Moreover, the prudent usages of such phrases are not abused in the sense that Obama relies solely on them. Rather he used it as a way to simplify the concepts he was trying to address in a manner that the average American could understand. Obama’s emotional appeal was an appeal for solidarity, acceptance, loyalty, and most of all patriotism in spite of the diversity of the American people by reiterating the commonalities and shared experiences. Shared social struggles throughout history of Americans as a people of migrants and how these struggles are continuing today for current migrants who â€Å"toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth† (Obama, We Seek A New Way Forward)   and shared economic burden that Americans are experiencing across all walks of life in almost all business sectors. These commonalities are highlighted in an attempt to forge cooperation through shared experiences, shared history, shared sentiments, shared values, and a common vision.  Ã‚  

Law for Business BREF 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Law for Business BREF 1 - Essay Example This is because at the time of the sale, the toys were not yet in a deliverable state and Megastores’ duty to prepare it for delivery was not yet discharged. The conclusion is that Megastores should shoulder the responsibility for the damage to the two toys whilst Toys4U should be free from such responsibility. The parties involved here are Megastores and Toys4U, the seller and the buyer, respectively. The subject of the contract of sale is a Polaris missile toy, ten units of them. Megastores contended that Toys4U was liable for the damage of two of the toys because ownership had already passed to the latter at the time the damage occurred. The issue here is whether or not ownership had already passed to Toys4U at the time of the damage. Toys4U is not liable for the damage of the two Polaris missiles toys because it occurred before ownership passed from Megastores to Toys4U. This is supported by the provisions of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (SoGA) and pertinent case law previously decided by the courts. The applicable statute here is the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (SoGA hereafter), which received Royal Assent on December 6, 1979 and took effect commencing January 1, 1980. The SoGA governs transactions of sale of goods within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. Specific provisions of said law applicable here are: s 2(1), which defines a contract of sale; s 17 (1) and (2), which provide for the exact time specific or ascertained goods are deemed transferred from seller to buyer; s 18 Rule 2, which provides for the exact time property passes from seller to buyer when seller is first required to put goods in a deliverable state, and; s 20 (1), which allocates risk liability to parties. Section 20 (1) of the SoGA 1979 provides that the property subject of the sale remains at the risk of the seller until transferred to the buyer. This means that Megastores should shoulder damage sustained by the toys unless ownership was explicitly or implicitly

Breafly abour Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Breafly abour Global Warming - Essay Example This study demonstrates that this effects has led to low agricultural productions which is the source of gross domestic production (GDP) and therefore the global warming effects are depriving most third world countries of their income obtained from agricultural activities. The government has a key role to play in counteracting global warming effects and this is enacting laws that penalize violators of global warming based laws. The political will of the government is to impose legitimacy and authority of the orchestrated policy. On the other hand the public has their role also to play to counter global warming effects. Such roles include; implementing environmental protection policies such policies include using public transport such as trains as much as possible in order to reduce the number of personal cars that emit fossil fuel to the environment, companies reducing their factory exhaust fumes and conserving electricity use by using energy saving bulb. It was interesting in reading how global warming occurs when the sun’s rays penetrate the depleted ozone layer. How the sun rays mix with the green house gases that prevent them from bouncing back to the earths atmosphere.

A view of Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A view of - Essay Example It turns out that the country is geographically located in the Western Pacific Ocean and is a sovereign state of South East Asia. Its closest neighboring countries are China, Borneo, and Indonesia. I asked Tine how she has been enjoying her stay in her new home so far. She mentioned to me that although she loves the cold climate in the country, it sometimes make her long for the tropical weather in the Philippines. It seems that they have only 3 types of weather in the country hot, wet, and cold. The hot weather is felt almost the whole year round except during the so called Ber months when the cold winter air from China blows down to their area. While we partook of the Filipino snack, I could not help but mention to her that she did not look like a typical Filipino to me. Tine is relatively light skin toned with Latina features. She giggled a bit and thanked me for the compliment. She explained that the dark skinned Filipino is a myth perpetrated by their colonizers centuries ago. The Spaniards who were the first to colonize the country referred to them as Indios meaning â€Å"dark skinned† and the image seems to have stuck. I asked Tine to describe a typical Filipino to me then. She said that was next to impossible because of the diluted blood of the Filipinos. Tine herself has a mix of Filipino-Spanish-Chinese blood in her. While Don, her husband is of American-Filipino descent. She told me that there are no pure blooded Filipinos anymore. They have inter married with other nationalities so many times that one would be hard pressed to describe a typical Filipino look. It is because of their colonization by the Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese that their customs and traditions have also become a hybrid of two or three various cultures that create a totally unique Filipino culture and customs. She used the Maskara Festival in one of their provinces as an example of the hybrid custom and tradition in the country. Their culture and

Environmental Science Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environmental Science - Research Paper Example This power is not limited to controlling the face of our own government through consistent, record-breaking, campaign contributions, but also the fate of millions of people and the planet itself through jobs, resource exploitation, pollution, working conditions, energy consumption, forest destruction, and so on. Make no mistake, these new power centers are not democracies. We don’t vote for the CEO’s or the policies (unless we are rich enough to be significant shareholders, who are informed enough to know what’s going on, and compassionate enough to care about more than just personal profit), yet our destinies are increasingly left in their hands. The Solution: As these power centers shift, we must shift our own voices if we wish to be heard. As citizens, on average, we might vote once every four years, if at all. As consumers, we vote every single day with the purest form of power †¦ money. The average family spends around $18,000 every year on goods and se rvices. Think of it as casting 18,000 votes every year for the kind of world you want to live in. Unfortunately, as difficult as it is to find good, solid information on candidates during an election year, it’s often even harder to find good, solid information on corporations.

Link between Al Ain Distribution Company strategy and CSR Essay

Link between Al Ain Distribution Company strategy and CSR - Essay Example AADC‘s mission is to service current demand of water and electricity. AADC’s responsibility â€Å"is to reliably, securely and safely distribute water and electricity from Transco’s termination points to residential, commercial, agricultural and government consumers in the Al Ain Region. (AADC). The social responsibility of AADC has been incorporated in this mission that specifies reliability in the course of its operation. Corporate responsibility is about how the company aligns its values and behavior with the expectations and needs of stakeholders, customers, employees, suppliers, communities, regulators, special interest groups and society. (CSR Network) Issues that are covered by the CSR are governance, environmental management, stakeholder engagement, labor standards, employee and community relations, social equity, responsible sourcing and human rights. AADC is expected to be a reliable supplier of clean and potable water to the district as well as a steady supplier of electricity in an effective cost manner. ADC sees shortage of water supply in the future that has to be resolved and at the same time considers the operating costs related to this. It has the social responsibility of correct billing information to customers. It has to devise a system that will address lack of metering process; manual calculations and IT system bring incorrect billing to customers. It has the social responsibility to manage the company profitably for the interest of stakeholders. AADC has the responsibility to develop and train its human resources, provide adequate pay, to motivate them for satisfactory performance and employee retention. AADC has the social equity responsibility to remove discrimination on work policy and ethics particularly on hiring of women in order to fill the lack of manpower. AADC’s social responsibility and commitments to Health, Safety and Environment. (AADE) AADC aims to minimize HSE risks

Medical Mentoring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Medical Mentoring - Essay Example Since there is a rarity of women in several elite fields in medicine, which reduces their chances of getting mentorship or sponsorship in these sub-fields, women are rarely inducted into these fields. Most female medical students have wondered whether there are women in some fields of medicine for them to contact. In addition, there was also a feeling that female medical students could mentor undergraduate female students; especially the undergraduate students interested in science, but short on ideas and encouragement (DeLaat, 2007). However, the issue of what mentors would get out of mentoring female students came up, to which the contended that hospitals and institutions must recognize how important mentorship is, especially as the unequivocal support from senior management or organizational leaders for the concept of sponsorship and mentoring. This will encourage mentors to consider a serious mentorship, while allowing the professional time to support the programs (DeLaat, 2007). From this case study, it is clear that gender has a major role to play when it comes to the expectations of female students with regards to mentoring, while also having an influence on their career planning. Optimal relationships in sponsorship and mentoring are relational, while relational mentorship is more crucial compared to gender concordance (Humphrey, 2010). In addition, power dynamics, which are gender-based, have a greater influence on the thinking of students concerning mentoring. Stereotypes and assumptions based on gender also have a significant effect on sponsorship and mentoring relationships. Successful relationships in mentoring can only occur when the mentors in the faculty, whether female or male, attempt to take the time required to know the students on a personal level, as well as to know the students from a career point of view. From the case study, it seems that the female medical students and physicians have gender expectations that they will relate better to female mentors, who will also be more supportive compared to male mentors. This could be because male mentors are more content focused, direct, and less comfortable when discussing with female students on work-life balance (Humphrey, 2010). From the case study, it also seems that those attending the seminar believe that the gender of the mentee will affect the advice that they are given with regards to choices of career. The students may also wish to go beyond stereotypes of gender when interacting with the mentors (Humphrey, 2010). A perception exists where the gender of female students may potentially hinder their sponsorship opportunities and networking, as well as the perception that mentors of the female gender are not in a position to provide the access female students require to vital networks. However, while the case study does not provide enough evidence whether this is the case, it is clear that there is a need for more female mentors with experience, as well as for women holding powerful positions in medicine, particularly in fields that are dominated by women. While the case study was mainly focused on female students in medical school, the mentee and the

MGM International Resorts Case Analysis Memo Essay Example for Free

MGM International Resorts Case Analysis Memo Essay To: James J. Murren From: Date: November 18, 2013 Subject: Issues of MGM International Resorts I am writing this letter in order to address the slow recovery of your company. It has come to my attention that your company, MGM International Resorts, is facing some major issues as the gaming and hospitality industry struggles to recover. In this letter I plan to address the industries problems, and the specific issues that your company is facing. One of the major issues facing MGM International Resorts is that it is that the industry has a lot of overcapacity as demand has dropped from pre-recessionary evels when many big projects have been planned. This is evidenced by your companys ambitious pre-recession project CityCenter, the largest private development project in United States history. CityCenter ended up opening to little fanfare. The biggest sources of revenue in the industry were conventions. Due to the economic downturn in 2008, revenues from Conventions have decreased dramatically and have not fully recovered. Trade shows, associations and corporations traditionally paid a premium to meet in Las Vegas. Now with fewer organizations meet in Las Vegas, they can now negotiate lower prices. There are now increased leisure travelers going to Las Vegas to fill discounted rooms but does not help you increase revenue much as they do not like to spend money on your high end shopping and dining venues. Americans are also deciding more carefully spend their money preferring staycations in order to save money on increasing airfares and travel costs. This is mainly due to the decrease in discretionary spending of 43 percent from December 2007 to January 2011. The road to recovery from the start of the economic recession for the industry is slower than predicted. Your company also aces strong competition from competitors such as Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands who have managed to fare in the recession substantially better. MGM Resorts Internationals financial statements are not very good relative to your competitors. Your company had a degradation of financials compared to your competitors whom of which fared the recession much better. Your company is highly leveraged with net debt to EBITDA of 1 1. 5 times. Boyd, Las Vegas Sands have lower debt leveraging at 8. x, 3. 3x, 3. 4x, and 1 . 9x respectively. You are also not as widely diversified in regional American markets such as in the Northeast. Your company has recently lost money posting a net loss of 1,437. 4 million in 2010. I will first analyze the health of the gaming and hospitality industry in Las Vegas in which you compete using Porters Five Forces of Competition Model. The indus try faces a lot of substitutes which your customers flock to. There is online gambling. This may keep people from flocking to casinos to gamble as they can conveniently do it at home. There are also closer example of this would be Empire City Casino in Yonkers, NY. It is only half an hour way from New York City and very convenient for those in the area who would Just like to gamble for a night and return home. You do not face a very large threat from new entrants as the capital requirements to enter the gaming and hospitality industry are very high. Customers are able to easily switch from staying on your properties to another companys property. Your company also possesses a wide variety of products that are differentiated. That being said, Industry Rivalry between you and your competitors are very high. All companies in the industry are on fairly qual ground ever since the recession. The costs to exit this industry are also very high. Customers again have very low switching costs and may switch between different properties as they see fit and the large excess in capacity in the industry means that you and all your competitors are cutting prices on rooms and services in order to attract business. The industrys suppliers of hospitality related supplies, such as food bed sheet and soap, and casino/gaming specific supplies, such as slot machines and thousands of decks of cards, have very weak bargaining power. The ew large companies within the gaming and hospitality industry have the bargaining power with when it comes to its two supplier lines as there are many of these suppliers to buy from while only a few large companies that are willing to buy. The ability to use a companys size to negotiate price and length of contracts for expensive high luxury furnishings and exclusive rights to a show or celebrity chef also gives the gaming and hospitality industry strength. While bargaining power of the suppliers is weak, the bargaining power of buyers is very strong. Customers have ery low switching costs and again the large excess in capacity in the industry means that you and all your competitors are cutting prices on rooms and services in order to attract business. Conventions, which are a large part of revenue have been on the downturn compared to capacity, again forcing prices downward. Buyers in the industry are also very price sensitive with many opting to take staycations where vacationers enjoy their time off closer to home. All of these forces add up to an industry that is relatively weak and recovering very slowly. Using the growth-share nalysis, your company is positioned as a cash cow which is very good. Your company has high market share in a slow growing industry. The company should worry though as it is close to being a dog of the industry as it has a lot of debt from ill-timed large projects such as CityCenter and must worry about other companies stealing market share as they are recovering faster. The industry is very capital intensive which means a lot of revenue is being reinvested back into the business. I will now analyze your company through SWOT Analysis. Your company has quite a few strengths that ill help your company into the future. Your companys large size gives it the upper hand in negotiating the best prices from its suppliers. It is very advantageous that your company caters to a wide range of customers from the high-end consumers with resorts such as the Bellagio offering exclusive products to the value-minded consumers with Circus Circus. Your ability to provide superior customer service by recruiting, training and retaining the best most motivated individuals is very valuable in your company. Your marketing and sales activities are another strong suit which compliments your services.

Cash Flow Management and Forecasting | Case Study

Cash Flow Management and Forecasting | Case Study Cash flow management Cash flow management is the process of monitoring, analyzing and adjusting business’ cash flows[1]. â€Å"Cash is king† is the often heard business clichà ©, yet it is borne out of reality. It is monitoring of actual cash flows against the cash flow projections for the period, analyzing the reasons for variation and then implementing the necessary actions to manage business financials. Cash flow management is based on cash flow projections which is different than profit and loss account and, in times of cash shortage, may be more important (Oxford, 1997). Importance of preparing a cash flow forecast A cash flow forecast shows the projects in flows and out flows of cash in a business. It is an important tool in cash flow management as it helps to identify the gaps in cash over the projected period. Let’s look at the importance of cash flow forecast for different stakeholders Owner / investor. Cash flow forecast shows the maximum shortfall in cash during the projected period and gives idea about maximum capital funding is required. Banks / lenders. It helps in analysing the credit worthiness of the business and matches it with lenders’ appetite for risk. It also shows whether business will generate sufficient cash over time to meet repayments. Creditors. If business is not in a strong position, creditors like to see cash flow forecast to analyse whether to give stock on credit and under what terms. Cash flow forecast Annexure I shows the cash flow forecast for the year ending 31 Dec 2004. It shows minimum cash balance of  £0 in February 2004 and is based on the following assumptions: Sprint X is a high street sport shop with no sales on debtor accounts. All sales immediately result in cash in flows. The profits generated are small and hence company pays no tax. The projected bank balance on 31st Dec 2004 is  £26,500. This is because Sprint X has yet to make the stock payments of  £12,500 for December 04 as these are due in January 2004 only. Though the minimum balance is  £0 in February 2004, in reality it might be even lower. The intra-month cash position could be even worse because of the following: The above cash flow forecast of  £0 in February 2004 is based on month end. Monthly rent of  £2,500 for March is due on 1st March 2004. So the cash balance on 1st March 2004 could be as low as - £2,500. Payment terms and dates of utility providers and suppliers. Payment dates of bank charges. Advantages of using a spreadsheet for cash flow forecasting Spreadsheet software for personal computers is a powerful tool for cash flow forecasting. Its major advantages are: Arithmetic errors are virtually nonexistent (Horngren, Sundem Stratton, 1998) It is easier to operate and understand than using professional financial packages. Small business owners don’t need to understand financial jargon for building and updating cash flow forecasts. It reduces the tedium of carrying out repetitive calculations. If actual cash flows in a month are different from the projections, it would change the following month end cash flows. Spreadsheet model makes it much easier to update cash flow forecasts. Sensitivity analysis. Spreadsheet cash flow model also makes it more convenient in analysing the impact of variation in different sales and cost elements on the cash flows. Bankruptcy due to cash flow problems Sprint X could go bankrupt if runs out of cash to make payments to its creditors. Creditors can then take force Sprint X into liquidation. Sprint X has to order supplies before it can sell them and once it orders and receives deliveries, it is liable to pay whether or not it is successful in selling them. Based on the cash flow projections in Appendix I, John and Mary expanded the business with  £2,500 additional capital for rent payment on 1St March 2004. Suppose sales in both February and March 2004 are  £5,000 less than the budgeted amount. The cost of goods is 60% of sales on average (based on ratio of annual cost of goods to annual sales). Though the cash receipts are lower in February and March, the benefit of lower cash outflows would be seen in March and April only due to one month lag in credit payments. Appendix II shows the revised cash flow forecast. Sprint X has a negative cash of  £5,000 at the end of February 2004. Even after adding an initial capital inflow of  £2,500, the company is no cash to meet full supplier payments for February and rent on 1st March 2004. Under such scenario, both suppliers and landlord can take the company to liquidators. Even though the company may end year with more cash than initial capital inflow, yet its inability to tide through emergencies may force it into liquidation. Strategies for effectively controlling cash flow problems Regular entry of receipts and payments will keep the cash flow updated and will give owners sufficient time to take care of shortfalls, if any. Analysis of trends will help in taking timely decisions of cost cutting to reduce cash outflows or to plan for higher sales. Owners shouldn’t take out cash from the business based on single month’s net cash flows. The picture may be distorted due to one month delay in higher stock payments. They should look at the year end figures and maximum cash requirements before taking out any earnings. The company should establish a line of credit with a bank which will not only take care of maximum cash requirements but also leave some headroom for any emergencies. Owners should keep business account separate from personal accounts to get clear cash position of the business. Reconcile monthly bank statements for both deposits made and cheques drawn. Use of financial recording system to manage Sprint X’s business finances Sprint X should fortnightly look at the sales trends and plan future expenditure accordingly. Regularly updation of cash flow forecast based on the latest trends will help in planning for any shortfall in funding gap. It should also use financial recording system to keep a tab on inventory to prevent excess inventory build-up. This will prevent unnecessary goods write-off and losses. Trends in fashion change very fast and a good company should keep an eye on what is selling and what is just occupying shelf space and requiring unnecessary working capital. Appendix I – Sprint X’s cash flow forecast Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04 Sep-04 Oct-04 Nov-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Receipts Invoiced sales 15,000 20,500 35,000 35,000 35,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 15,000 20,500 35,000 35,000 35,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 Payments Stock (3,000) (17,500) (17,500) (17,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) Telephone (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) Electricity (1,500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) Rent (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) Wages (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,500) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) Bank loan (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (10,500) (26,000) (26,500) (25,500) (21,000) (20,500) (20,500) (21,500) (20,500) (20,500) (21,500) (20,500) (12,500) Net cash flow 4,500 (5,500) 8,500 9,500 14,000 (500) (500) (1,500) (500) (500) (1,500) (500) (12,500) Opening bank balance 1,000 5,500 0 8,500 18,000 32,000 31,500 31,000 29,500 29,000 28,500 27,000 26,500 Closing bank balance 5,500 0 8,500 18,000 32,000 31,500 31,000 29,500 29,000 28,500 27,000 26,500 14,000 Appendix II – Sprint X’s cash flow forecast with reduced Feb and Mar sales Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04 Sep-04 Oct-04 Nov-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Receipts Invoiced sales 15,000 15,500 30,000 35,000 35,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 15,000 15,500 30,000 35,000 35,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 Payments Stock (3,000) (17,500) (14,500) (14,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) (12,500) Telephone (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) Electricity (1,500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) Rent (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) (2,500) Wages (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,500) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) (2,000) Bank loan (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (3,000) (10,500) (26,000) (23,500) (22,500) (21,000) (20,500) (20,500) (21,500) (20,500) (20,500) (21,500) (20,500) (12,500) Net cash flow 4,500 (10,500) 6,500 12,500 14,000 (500) (500) (1,500) (500) (500) (1,500) (500) (12,500) Opening bank balance 1,000 5,500 (5,000) 1,500 14,000 28,000 27,500 27,000 25,500 25,000 24,500 23,000 22,500 Closing bank balance 5,500 (5,000) 1,500 14,000 28,000 27,500 27,000 25,500 25,000 24,500 23,000 22,500 10,000 Bibliography Horngren, C.T., Sundem, G.L. Stratton, W.O.; â€Å"Introduction to management accounting†, Eleventh Edition, Prentice Hall International, Inc., 1998 Oxford (1997); â€Å"Dictionary of Finance and Banking†, Oxford University Press, Second Edition, 1997. [1] http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/management/g/cashflowmgt.htm

A Study On Becks Theory Psychology Essay

A Study On Becks Theory Psychology Essay Becks theory states that Individuals with dysfunctional attitudes are likely to show increases in depressed mood following the occurrence of negative events. From the cognitive perspective, we can say that depression is caused by ones thinking. Someone with dysfunctional attitudes tends to think negatively toward themselves. When a negative event occurs which relates to that person, it triggers the negative thoughts over and over again which can lead to depression. Beck believed that the cognitive symptoms of depression actually precede the affective and mood symptoms of depression, rather than vice versa. Becks main argument was that depression was instituted by ones view of oneself, instead of one having a negative view of oneself due to depression. For example, Abela and DAlessandros (2002) found that the students negative views about their future strongly controlled the interaction between dysfunctional attitudes and the increase in depressed mood. The research clearly backed up Becks claim that those at risk for depression due to dysfunctional attitudes who did not get into their college of choice then doubted their futures, and these thoughts lead to symptoms of depression. The other cause of depression would be a persons interpersonal relationship with their surroundings and the people around them. Hammen and Brennan (2001) found that 13% of the sons and 23.6 % of the daughters who were depressed had depressed mothers as compared to 3.9% of the sons and 15.9% of the daughters who were depressed lacked a depressed mother. From the social perspective, we see that the child becomes depressed because of the interpersonal relationship with his or her mother which shows how the social environment around someone can influence the behaviour or thinking of the person. The depressed adolescents of depressed mothers were also more likely to evidence dysfunctional cognitions about their social selves and worlds. (Hammen Brennan, 2001, p. 8) This clearly contradicts becks argument that depression is cause by dysfunctional cognition but not vice versa. Hammen and Brennan (2001) discussed that adolescents gets depressed because of the interpersonal relationship with their mothers which then later lead them into dysfunctional cognitions. Whereas, beck states that dysfunctional attitudes comes first which then later on lead the person into depression. Another contradiction of these two concepts is that one states that depression is caused by the inner thinking without the influence of another person and on the contrary, the other is cause by the surrounding people and how they behave. Second Section Cognitive Theory Individuals with dysfunctional attitudes are likely to show increases in depressed mood following the occurrence of negative events which is stated in Beck`s theory. We can say that depression is caused by ones thinking from the cognitive perspective. Someone with dysfunctional attitudes tends to think negatively toward themselves. When a negative event shows up, it triggers the negative thoughts over and over again which can lead to depression. The relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and increases in depressed mood following the occurrence of negative events is caused by negative views of the future . Becks cognitive theory of depression has generated a vast body of empirical research.Central to Becks theory is the construct of schemas(Becks (1967, 1983). Beck defines schemas as stored bodies of knowledge that affect the encoding, comprehension and retrieval of information. The content and organization of different individuals schemas vary according to their particular experiences. Once activated, depressogenic schemas provide access to a complex system of negative themes and cognitions which will lead to ‘negative cognitive triad'(Becks (1967, 1983). Beck defines the negative cognitive triad as a negative view of the self, the world and the future. Beck hypothesizes that the negative cognitive triad is a sufficient cause of depression and will start showing some depressive symptoms such as deficits in affec tive, motivational, behavioural and physiological functioning(John R. Z. Abela,2000). Beck also states that there are three main dysfunctional belief themes (or schemas) that dominate depressed peoples thinking (Natalie Staats Reiss, Ph.D, 2007): I am defective or inadequate, All of my experiences result in defeats or failures, and The future is hopeless. Together, these three themes are described as the Negative Cognitive Triad. When these beliefs are present in someones cognition, depression is very likely to occur. Depressed people will tend to demonstrate selective attention to information, which matches their negative expectations, and selective inattention to information that contradicts those expectations. Faced with a mostly positive performance review, depressed people will manage to find and focus in on the one negative comment that keeps the review from being perfect. They tend to magnify the importance and meanings in the negative events, and minimize the importance and meanings in positive events. Usually this kind of situation will happen quite unconsciously which is will maintain a depressed persons core negative schemas in the face of contradictory evidence, and they will remain feeling hopeless about the future even when the evidence suggests that things will get better. Beck hypothesizes that depressogenic schemas are typically latent in individuals which vulnerable to depression and must be activated by relevant stressors or event in order to exert their influence on information processing(Becks (1967, 1983). In the absence of such aversive life events, depressogenic schemas remain inactive and do not exert an influence on patterns of thinking. Based on the research done by a group of researchers from Canada, (John R. Z. Abela and David U. DAlessandro,Department of Psychology, McGill University), they used a short-term longitudinal design in which participants dysfunctional attitudes were assessed prior to the occurrence of a negative event. The method that they have used was 136 high school seniors applying to the University of Pennsylvania completed measures of depressed mood and dysfunctional attitudes 1-8 weeks before receiving their admissions decision and denoted as (Time 1). The assessment of dysfunctional attitudes was preceded by a primary task designed to activate latent depressogenic schemas in all participants. Participants also observed on thier depressed mood, negative views of the self, and negative views of the future shortly after they received their admissions decision and denoted as (Time 2) and four days later as (Time 3). The outcome from this research was consistent with the component of Becks theory. The participants who are dysfunctional attitudes predicted increases in depressed mood immediately following a negative admissions outcome (Time 2). In addition, according to the the causal mediation component of the theory, for negative outcome students, the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and increases in depressed mood was caused by negative views of the future. Contrary to predictions, however, this relationship was not mediated by negative views of the self. In addition, opposite to predictions, dysfunctional attitudes did not predict enduring depressed mood after a negative outcome (Time 3). Some studies have found no support for the diathesis-stress component of the theory. For example, using a psychiatric in-patient sample, Persons and Rao (1985) reported that irrational beliefs (Ellis, 1962) did not interact with negative events to predict increases in depressive symptoms seven months after discharge. Similarly, using a three-month prospective design, Barnett and Gotlib (1988a, 1990) reported that dysfunctional attitudes did not interact with negative events to predict increases in depressive symptoms. Social Theory The early onset of depression commonly recalled by depressed adults. (Burke, Burke, Regier, Rae, 1990) The increasing rate of depression in youngsters is significantly impairing and it indicates recurrence and continuity into adulthood. One of the best empirically supported predictors of depression in youth is having a depressed mother. There is no single unifying social model of depression but rather various empirical and theoretical developments that emphasize interpersonal cognitions and behaviors. As for the mother, a key characteristic of the interpersonal perspective is a particular emphasis on the dysfunctional, abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group transaction between the person and the social environment. (Joiner Coyne, 1999) Depressed individuals often function poorly in marriages and relationships with family members. (Barnett Gotlib, 1988; Rao, Hammen, Daley, 1999; Weissman Paykel, 1974) They may engage maladaptively, adapting poorly to a situation with others in ways that contribute to the occurrence of interpersonal stressful life events, which eventually might cause further depression. (Davila, Hammen, Burge, Pa-ley, Daley, 1995; Hammen, 1991) Depressed people are often dependent on others and seek confidence in ways that distance others.(Barnett Gotlib, 1988; Joiner Metalsky, 1995) They often overvalue relationships as sources of self-worth but may also have acquired negative beliefs about the availability and trustworthiness of others .In turn, prolong course of depression may be due to negative attitudes by family members. (Hooley, Orley, Teasdale, 1986; Hooley Teasdale, 1989; Keitner et al., 1995) Although many of the interpersonal deficiencies noted in depressed individuals may be depressive state dependent, a number of the cited studies have indicated enduring difficulties even when the person is not currently depressed. Obviously not all depressive disorders are functionally linked to maladaptive interpersonal relationships; but research strongly suggests the importance of the contribution of social behaviors and beliefs in promoting depression and its recurrence. The acquisition of dysfunctional schemas about the self and others, and the deficiencies in interpersonal skills, may set the stage for vulnerability to depression, particularly when stressors are encountered that deplete or challenge the childs sense of worth, competence, and social relatedness. The depressed children of depressed mothers were also highly likely to have elevated rates of interpersonal and conflict life events, reflecting at least in part their relative difficulties in negotiating interpersonal relationships. The depressed adolescents of depressed mothers were also more likely to have dysfunctional cognitions about their social selves and world. They more likely compared to depressed children of non depressed women to report fewer friends and social activities. In my opinion, social vulnerabilities of offspring of depressed women may contribute to earlier onset of depressive disorders and worse clinical features. Although biological and genetic factors may heighten risk for early onset, acquisition of interpersonal vulnerabilities may also result in early experiences of depressive disorders. The homogeneity permits evaluation of differences between groups that are not mistaken with age effects. Moreover, young adolescence is a developmental period during which social activities and alliances outside of the family take on increasing importance. The most noticeable differences among the groups occurred in interpersonal functioning. Indicators of ongoing social role performance revealed more impaired functioning in social domains, with a particularly marked problem, not surprisingly, in relationships with family members for depressed youth of depressed mothers. The depressed children of depressed mothers were also highly likely to have elevated rates of interpersonal and conflict life events, reflecting at least in part their relative difficulties in negotiating interpersonal relationships. The depressed adolescents of depressed mothers were also more likely to evidence dysfunctional cognitions about their social selves and worlds. They were significantly more likely than depressed children of non depressed women to report fewer friends and social activities. However, It is interesting that depressed children of depressed mothers were more positive about their romantic appeal than depressed children of non depressed women, possibly indicating earlier involvement or greater. (Gotlib, Lewinsohn, Seeley, 1998) An important implication of subgroup differences may be that the depressed youth of depressed women, because of interpersonal difficulties, will have earlier and more frequent recurrences of depression, which could result from stressors associated with inability to adapt to social demand. Moreover, it might be speculated that youth interpersonal difficulties might lead to adult social difficulties, including dysfunctional marital relationships and even transmission of depression to their own offspring. From the study, it is interesting that there was a tendency for a higher male proportion among the outcome of depressed women, while most of the depressed children of non depressed women were girls. In conclusion, the results are consistent with the perspective that depression among children of depressed mothers is especially likely to occur in the context of difficulties in their interpersonal skills and perceptions of others towards them. The youths difficulties may represent a mechanism of intergenerational transmission of depression that results in part from the parents own interpersonal difficulties acquired in their childhood family environments. Last but not least, aggressive treatment of the social dysfunctions has to be taken. Third Section Depression / Major depressive disorder Depression is a medical illness that involves the mind and body. It also known as major depression, major depressive disorder and clinical depression which is by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.. It affects patients feel, think and behave which lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Major depression is a disabling condition which adversely affects a persons family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. Subtypes There are five further subtypes of major depressive disorder called specifiers to nothing the length, severity and presence of psychotic features: Melancholic depression loss of pleasure in most or all activities, a failure of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli, a quality of depressed mood more pronounced than that of grief or loss, a worsening of symptoms in the morning hours, early morning waking, psychomotor retardation, excessive weight or excessive guilt. Atypical depression mood reactivity (paradoxical anhedonia) and positivity, significant weight gain or increased appetite (comfort eating), excessive sleep or sleepiness (hypersomnia), a sensation of heaviness in limbs known as leaden paralysis, and significant social impairment as a consequence of hypersensitivity to perceived interpersonal rejection. Catatonic depression a rare and severe form of major depression involving disturbances of motor behavior and other symptoms. The person is mute and almost stuporose, and either remains immobile or exhibits purposeless or even bizarre movements. Catatonic symptoms also occur in schizophrenia or in manic episodes, or may be caused by neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Postpartum depression (Mild mental and behavioral disorders associated with the puerperium) refers to the intense, sustained and sometimes disabling depression experienced by women after giving birth. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression in which depressive episodes come on in the autumn or winter, and resolve in spring. The diagnosis is made if at least two episodes have occurred in colder months with none at other times, over a two-year period or longer. Causes of Depression Depression has no single cause; often, it results from a combination of things. Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Some of others factors involved in depression are: Family history Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations. Trauma and stress Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. People can become depressed after any unwelcome change in life patterns, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married can trigger a depressive episode.[1] Pessimistic personality People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression. Physical conditions Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions. For example, some medications that are used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, seizures, extreme pain, and to achieve contraception can result in depression. Even some psychiatric medications like some sleep aids and medications to treat alcoholism and anxiety can contribute to the development of depression. Lack of neurochemicals the depressive disorders appears to be associated with altered brain serotonin and norepinephrine systems. The different types of schizophrenia are associated with an imbalance of dopamine (too much) and serotonin (poorly regulated) in certain areas of brain. Both neurochemicals (serotonin and norepinephrine) are lower in depressed people. Other psychological disorders Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, persistent deprivation in infancy, physical or sexual abuse, clusters of certain personality traits, and inadequate ways of coping (maladaptive coping mechanisms) can increase the frequency and severity of depressive disorders Symptoms Feelings of sadness or unhappiness Irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities Insomnia or excessive sleeping Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things arent going right Slowed in thinking, speaking or body movements, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches Treatments and Suggestion Psychotherapy Psychotherapy can be delivered to individuals or groups by mental health professionals including psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses. Talking the[2]rapies help patients gain insight into their problems and resolve them through verbal give-and-take with the therapist. It reduces the recurrence of depression even after it has been terminated or replaced by occasional booster sessions. Types of therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help to identify and change thought and behavior patterns that contribute to depression. People who are depressed tend to think negatively. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy teaches patients how to identify and challenge the negative thoughts and helps to obtain more satisfaction and rewards through their own actions. Interpersonal therapy looks at how depression can be connected to troubled emotional relationships. Interpersonal therapists focus on the patients disturbed personal relationships that both cause and exacerbate the depression. Psychodynamic therapy links depression to traumas and conflicts that happened earlier in your life, especially during childhood. It can be a short-term treatment, although it is often a longer process. The therapists focus on resolving the patients internal psychological conflicts that are typically thought to be rooted in childhood. Long-term psychodynamic therapies are particularly important if there seems to be a lifelong history and pattern of inadequate ways of coping (maladaptive coping mechanisms) in negative or self-injurious behavior. Group therapy allows you and other people with depression—or people with the same issues that contributed to your depression—to meet together with a therapist and share experiences. Antidepressants Antidepressants are treatment method by the help of medication to treat the physical state in the brain. Psychologists identified that when certain chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) are out of balance, depression can occur. People with chronic depression may need to take medication indefinitely to avoid relapse. Hence, antidepressants can be help to improve the symptoms of depression by bringing those chemicals back into balance. Some of the major types of antidepressants are discussed below: NDRIs (Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors) are a type of antidepressant that increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine by blocking their reuptake in the brain. Buproprion is the only antidepressant within this class of drugs approved by the FDA. Side effects may include weight loss, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and citalopram are a widely used type of antidepressant. SSRIs increase serotonin in the brain by blocking serotonin reuptake in the brain. These types of antidepressants can cause sexual side effects. SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) work in much the same way as an SSRI. SNRIs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. SNRIs may also cause side effects similar to SSRIs. Electroconvulsive therapy Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure whereby pulses of electricity are sent through the brain via two electrodes, usually one on each temple, to induce a seizure while the patient is under a short general anaesthetic. ECT can have a quicker effect than antidepressant therapy and thus may be the treatment of choice in emergencies such as catatonic depression where the patient has stopped eating and drinking, or where a patient is severely suicidal. ECT is useful for certain patients, particularly for those who cannot take or have not responded to a number of antidepressants. ECT often is effective in cases where trials of a number of antidepressant medications do not provide sufficient relief of symptoms. This procedure probably works, as previously mentioned, by a massive neurochemical release in the brain due to the controlled seizure. Opinion In my opinion, there is more than one way to skin a mongoose. There are a lot of difference perspectives to look at the causes of depression. There might be environmental, biological, psychological, physical, or some incidents that cause individual to depress. It is quite difficult to differentiate between a depressed people from a normal one. Hence, by looking at the symptom of depression is one of the ways to diagnose the disease. Therefore, we will discussion about how depress symptom appears and may leads to occurrence of depression. At first, we choose to use cognitive theory as an approach to explain how people get depressed which can be apply in most cases. Cognitive theory saying that depression results from maladaptive, faulty, or irrational cognitions taking the form of distorted thoughts and judgments. Depressed people think differently than non-depressed people, and it is this difference in thinking that causes them to become depressed. For example, depressed people tend to view themselves, their environment, and the future negative, pessimistic light. As a result, depressed people tend to misinterpret facts in negative ways and blame themselves for any misfortune that occurs. This negative thinking and judgment style functions as a negative bias; it makes it easy for depressed people to see situation as being much worse than they really are, and increases the risk that such people will develop depr essive symptoms in response to stressful situations. The depressive symptoms are also the cognitive approach to the depressive individual where all the symptoms are causes by themselves. For example, they have feelings of sadness or unhappiness, irri[3]tability or frustration, even over small matters, loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, insomnia or excessive sleeping and others. All the symptoms are from patient mind. They tend to ignore positive information, pay exaggerated attention to negative information, and to engage in overgeneralization, which occurs when people assume that because some local and isolated event has turned out badly, this means that all events will turn out badly. For example, depressed people may refuse to see that they have at least a few friends, or that they have had some successes across their lifetime (ignoring the positive). Or they might dwell on and blow out of proportion the hurts they have suffered (exaggerating the negative). Other depressed people may convince themselves that nobody loves them or they always mess up (overgeneralizing). In addition, cognitive theory also suggested that people are shaped by the interactions between their behaviors, thoughts, and environmental events. Each piece in the puzzle can and does affect the shape of the other pieces. Human behavior ends up being largely a product of learning, which may occur vicariously, as well as through direct experience. Depressed peoples self-concepts are different from non-depressed peoples self-concepts as we mention earlier. They tend to hold themselves solely responsible for bad things in their lives and are full of self-recrimination and self-blame. They also tend to have low levels of self-efficacy (a persons belief that they are capable of influencing their situation). Therefore, they tend to set their personal goals too high, and then fall short of reaching them. Repeated failure further reduces feelings of self-efficacy and leads to depression. Nevertheless, of all the factors which by the depressed individual, they are just feeling directed toward themselves for blaming the failure and uselessness. However, there also a cause to major depression which is appearing of a stressful event triggered their depressive episode. The stressful event initiate depressive episodes create changes in the brains chemistry that make it more likely that future episodes of depression will develop. The stressful experiences often take away a persons sense of control and can cause great emotional upheaval and pain. Sometimes, even positive life changes such as getting married or having a baby can trigger a depressive episode. Another approach of theory which I personally think is very important causes to depression is by using Behavioral Theories. Behavioral Theories uses principles of learning theory to explain human behavior. Therefore, according to behavioral theory, we can say that dysfunctional or unhelpful behavior such as depression is learned. A person can be depressing because of the environmental stressors cause them to receive a low rate of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement occurs when people fo something they find pleasurable and rewarding. When people receive positive reinforcement, it wills increases the chances that people will repeat the sorts of actions they have taken that led them to receive that reinforcement. In other words, people will tend to repeat those behaviors that get reinforced. However, depressed people do not know how to cope with the fact that they are no longer receiving positive reinforcements like they were before. A depressed people typically have a heightened state of self-awareness about their lack of coping skills that often leads them to self-criticize and withdraw from other people. For example, a man who has been fired from his job and encounters difficulty finding a new job might become depressed. In a nutshell, depression can be cause by the internal and external factors such as peoples thoughts, perceptions, evaluations, expectations, behavior and so on. Hence, at the last part of our research on depression, we had generated an equation for the causes of depression by using cognitive theory and behavioral theory which applicable for most of the depression cases. DEPRESSION = f { stressful events, dysfunctional attitudes, depressive symptoms, loss of positive reinforcement } [1] Subtypes of Depression—Diagnosis and Medical Management. Retrieved March 6, 2010 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1237582/ [2] Understanding Depression Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Help. Retrieved March 6 2010 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm [3] Depression Treatment. Therapy, Medication, and Lifestyle Changes That Can Help. Retrieved from 6 March 2010 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/treatment_strategies_depression.htm