Corporate Social Responsibility and Apparel Industry

CSR- History and Introduction Over the years, there has been contention among scholars and industry experts on what exactly CSR means. Unfortunately, the contention and the debate that ensues have not resulted in a standard definition yet. Consequently, different people have different definitions of the term, and some scholars have even accused some researchers of distorting the CSR concept, so much that, it has become â€Å"morally vacuous, conceptually meaningless, and utterly unrecognizable† (Orlitzky 48).Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Corporate Social Responsibility and Apparel Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Although scholars argue that CSR dates back to the 1920s, its first conceptualization in literature began in 1953, when Howard Bowen, an American Economist stated that organizations had a social obligation â€Å"to pursue those policies, to make those decisions, or to follow thos e lines of action which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values or our society† (Bowen cited by Maignan and Ferrell 4). Following the conceptualization of CSR by Bowen in the 1950s, other CSR-related concepts such as corporate citizenship, social audits and corporate stewardship came into focus (Maignan and Ferrell 4). From the 1960s onwards, scholars and researchers have been more concerned about defining the CSR concept. Defining Sustainability and CSR The 1987 Brundlandt report closely ties sustainability to the sustainable yields concept. Specifically, the report argues that â€Å"sustainable yields development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs†. In other words, the Brundlandt report argues that sustainability is possible if the organizations (and humankind in general) consider the social, economical and ecological aspects similarly. According to the report, organizations need to be responsible for their actions and inaction in both the short-term and long-term; if at all sustainability is to be attained. The report posits that the present action or inaction by organizations have an impact not only on its stakeholders, but also on the larger humankind with the inclusion of future generations. Even though there is no standard definition of CSR, a literature review conducted by Dahlsrud reveals that a definition by the Commission of the European Communities is the most prevalent in literature. The Commission defines CSR as â€Å"a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis† (Dahlsrud 7). Among other terms that are popular in CSR definition include adhering to ethical values, complying with legal requirements, respecting communities, the environment and people, and contributing to the quality of life of the stakeholders and the l arger communities. Among the vital indicators that come out of the CSR literature is the fact that organizations should not just pursue profitability without paying attention to the effect that their activities have on the employees, shareholders, communities, and the environment.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The importance of CSR for Textile and Apparel Industry The textile and apparel industry has an infamous reputation for its use of cheap labor often sourced from overworked employees or underage workers. Most notable is the fact that most such industries are now in developing countries where labor laws are virtually non-existent, while unemployment rates are remarkably high. Such combination of factors means that organizations can maximize output by overworking employees who are desperate to eke out a living in whatever way, and compensating them with relatively low wages. The lack of legal and political frameworks in developing countries means that major players in the textile and apparel industry need to take the CSR initiatives a notch higher in order to cover for the management gap created by such legal and political inadequacies. After all, (Maignan and Ferrell 4) indicate that CSR operates outside the legal entitlement of an organization, and is usually voluntary in nature. Why is CSR needed? The need for CSR in the textile and apparel industry is underscored by the fact that in view of the lacking political, social and legal guidelines, the organizations operating in the industry have societal obligations that they need to meet. Notably, the need for such organizations to deliver societal values amidst high levels of poverty and insecurity where their business interests are located cannot be overemphasized. Besides, the CSR hype has alerted employees, government, consumers and larger societies of the social responsibilities that orga nizations have towards them. Hence, adopting CSR initiatives serves the strategic business interests of organizations operating in the apparel and textile industry since it enables organizations to forge good and beneficial relationships with not only the employees, but also governments, non-government organizations and consumers. The nature of fashion industry The nature of the fashion industry is such that there are high lead times that require organizations to produce fashionable clothes at relatively low costs. The CSR in the fashion industry is therefore more focused on the production processes whose end results are the clothes people dress in. To this end, (Dickson and Eckman 188) argues that CSR in the fashion industry is â€Å"an orientation encompassing the environment, its people, the apparel/textile products†¦ and the systematic impact that production, marketing and consumption†¦has on multiple stakeholders and the environment†. Among the key factors that influence CSR in the fashion industry include the production of raw materials at the farm level, the production processes at the firm level, and the operational factors such as sweatshop and child labor.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Corporate Social Responsibility and Apparel Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the environmental front, the extensive exploitation of natural resources such as water and farm land, and the use of chemical products impact negatively on the environment. Companies that have embraced CSR in the fashion industry therefore seek to address such issues though responsible and sustainable initiatives. The background: conditions that propel companies to take sustainability into consideration In literature, there are two basic reasons that propel companies to take sustainability into consideration: (I) the need to look good in the eyes of the employees, the consumers and other stakeholders; and (II) A genuine need to do well, and contribute to the welfare of all stakeholders affected by what the organization does. In the first instance, organizations find adopting CSR initiatives necessary due to the reputational risk that comes with non-adoption. In the Nike case (explained elsewhere) for example, the firm was criticized for the use of child labor in its value chain, and the effect of such criticism in its sales volume in 2004 was far-reaching. Internally, companies with a good social responsibility reputation are able to attract and retain employees more, while investors are willing to invest in such firms. In the second instance however, organizations adopt CSR/sustainability simply because â€Å"it is the right thing to do†. The evolution of company’s initiatives- from merely safe guarding image to integrating it as part of their business strategy CSR is no longer part of public relations practices for organizations. Rather, CSR is now being incorporated as part of the business strategy that organizations take. In the past, firms focused more in corporate communications and corporate philanthropy; nowadays however, CSR is viewed as an important differentiation tool especially in the competitive markets. As Gildea notes, the consumers is at the middle of the revolution since contemporary purchasers boycott goods or services whose production harms the people, the society or the environmental resources (Gildea 21). Public pressure Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been on the fore front mobilizing and applying pressure on companies that violate what is considered as socially responsible/sustainable production or manufacturing processes. Among the most effective public pressure means are consumer boycotts. A 1990 article in the Economist, for example stated that â€Å"pressure groups are besieging American companies, politicizing business and often presenting executives with impossible choices.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consumer boycotts are becoming an epidemic for one simple reason: they work† (The Economist 69). The public pressure through boycott is usually marked by negative publicity focusing on what a firm did or failed to do, and such sentiments usually affect its sales volumes and profitability. The public pressure is intended to coerce targeted companies to change their policies regarding an issue; or to communicate displeasure regarding how the target firm is handling an issue. Global Sourcing Shift The global sourcing shift is a product of globalization, where branded apparel manufacturers, lead firms, marketers and retailers in developed countries have all turned to bulk importation of their products from global suppliers, usually in developing countries (Gereffi 1). Social and economic impact on countries It has been argued that the relocation of apparel manufacturing industries to countries with cheap labor tantamount to moving jobs that would otherwise benefit local population s abroad. Incidentally, firms that have relocated their production to cheaper destinations usually have their largest markets in the same destinations they re-located from. On the counter side however, developing countries where such factories are located benefit from foreign direct investments that creates jobs and earns such countries foreign exchange revenue from exports. However, such countries are now being forced to play catch-up with the developed countries as far as labor and environment-related laws are concerned. Walmart The catalyst of the Walmart’s Sustainability strategy A report by the Stanford Graduate School of Business indicates that the Sustainable Value Networks (SVNs) adopted by Walmart acts as catalysts to the chain store’s sustainability strategy. Through the SVNs, Walmart is able to focus on specific areas in its supply chain such as food packaging, transportation or buildings among others. The chain store identifies and develops any change that may improve sustainability in focus areas. Through the SNVs, Walmart identifies areas where it can enhance efficiency and/or reduce waste either single handedly or through engagement with its suppliers and other stakeholders. The details of the strategy – specifically to textile and apparel In the textile and apparel industry, the SNVs strategy in Walmart entails extensive life-cycle analyses done on the apparel production processes with the intention of understanding the exact impact that such processes have on the environment. According to the report by the Stanford Graduate School of Business (6), it was found that â€Å"soap was responsible for an alarming level of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the palm oil used in soap products†. Consequently, Walmart started working with suppliers in view of introducing the sustainable use of palm oil in soap products. Walmart and Patagonia In 2010, news broke that Walmart and Patagonia were partnering in order to he lp the former â€Å"move up the sustainable business learning curve fast† (Kimball n.pg.). Through the partnership, Patagonia would help Walmart in developing a sustainability index for its products like it (Patagonia) had done with other entities such as Nike and North Face. As Walmart sought to introduce a scorecard to rate all its products on social impact and eco-friendliness, Patagonia seemed like the most ideal partner (Kimball). It is worth noting that Patagonia is revered as a leader in sustainable business practices. Progress- result In just one year, the Walmart-Pantagonia partnership has opened up to include other players in the apparel industry leading to the formation of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). SAC has 40 members, who include industry heavy weights such as Patagonia, Walmart, Nike, Gap, and JC Penney among others. Together, the 40 member in SAC came up with the Sustainable Apparel Index, which is defined as an â€Å"Industry-wide tool for measur ing the environmental and social performance of apparel products and the supply chains that produces them† (Kirsten n.pg.). Through the index, the SAC members hope to promote efficient use of water and energy; less use of chemicals; less waste production; and enhance the working conditions in the apparel industry (Kirsten). Nike The initiatives that Nike have undertaken Ever since the 1990s when Nokia took a hit from consumer boycotts and other forms of public pressure for the alleged use of child labor and sweatshop conditions by some of its suppliers in Asia, the company has taken up CSR initiatives to remedy its dented image. Key among such initiatives was the introduction of a Code of Conduct, which the company demanded that all its suppliers should abide to (Locke, Qin and Brause 8). The company has further put the minimum age for workers to 18 years, and insists that the indoor air quality in all its supplier factories must meet the ‘Occupational Safety and Health Administration’ (OSHA) standards as used in the US. To boost compliance, (Locke et al. 9) observe that the company trains its suppliers, and has put together a team that monitors compliance in 21 countries. By 2008, Nike has a further 1,000 production specialists employed to work with its suppliers globally for purposes of enhancing compliance to the Code of Conduct. But perhaps the most significant CSR initiatives by Nike are in the auditing systems, which include: (I) ‘Environment, Safety and Health (SHAPE) audit’; (II) ‘Management and Working Conditions Audit (M-Audit)’; and (III) annual inspections by the ‘Fair Labor Association (FLA)’ (Locke et al. 9). The minimal impact in monitoring While monitoring is one way of ensuring compliance of CSR and sustainability initiatives along the supply chain, its impact is often cited as inadequate (May, Cheney and Roper 413). In the apparel industry for example, questions are raised about whethe r CSR should just stop at ensuring that underage labor is not used, or whether organizations should go a step further and ensure that children go back to school. Enforcing/ Monitoring CSR initiatives Enforcing and monitoring of CSR and sustainability initiatives have been the subject of countless debates, both at the organizational level and on other social levels (May et al. 413). The European Union for example founded the ‘Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)’ for purpose of monitoring how organizations complied with established social standards. The monitoring is either scheduled or impromptu. While the enforcement of CSR initiatives especially in the Apparel industry is left to individual companies, monitoring is conducted by accredited monitors or independent monitoring agencies. Lack of effectiveness The lack of effectiveness in enforcement and monitoring of CSR initiatives is persistent in the apparel industry. Companies which shadow dress their productio n processes in order to create a positive feedback usually improve the working conditions whenever a scheduled audit is about to happen. To increase effectiveness in enforcement and monitoring of CSR initiatives it is recommended that auditors should make impromptu visit to companies, establish complaint procedures for employees and other stakeholders, establish contact with local government agencies, and check and audit the company records regularly. Conclusion Summary Generally, CSR initiatives lead to better working conditions for employees, cleaner production processes, energy efficiency and enhanced employee and consumer loyalty. Hence, organizations not only reap direct and indirect benefits from the CSR initiatives. Suppliers in the apparel industry are for example able to attract big clients and even financiers who are keen to protect their brand reputations. In the end, CSR becomes a business strategy, which effectively increases the gross returns in firms in the apparel in dustry. Challenges still faced One of the major challenges in CSR is contained in the fact that the concept is more of a fad than the reality in most contemporary firms. Hence, firms attempt to ‘look good’ by claiming to adopt CSR/sustainability initiatives, while the reality may be completely different. Additionally, the imprecise definition of the CSR concept may mean that different firms adopt different CSR initiatives, which as (May et al. 413) observe, may not be sufficient enough to address the contradictions caused by capitalism on societies. In the apparel industry for example, CSR may not be able to compensate indigenous people who have been of the receiving end of poor working environments, poor pay, long working hours and victimization at the work place. Recommendations Awareness creation regarding CSR practices and issues is needed if at all companies regardless of their sizes or financial positions are to benefit from the concept. Additionally, solutions to the different challenges facing the textile and apparel industry need to be found. For example, the competing codes of conducts need to be rationalized. Lastly, (May et al. 413) observe that implementation and evaluation of CSR initiatives is always done away from the public eye, and this may create room for organizations to whitewash their activities by initiating programs, which are never followed up, or implemented to the full. In future, the implementation and evaluation of such initiatives should be conducted in a transparent manner. Works Cited Dahlsrud, Alexander. â€Å"How Corporate Social responsibility is defined: an Analysis of 37 Definitions.† Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 15 (2008): 1-13. Print. Dickson, Marsha and Eckman Molly. â€Å"Social Responsibility: The Concept as Defined by Apparel and Textile Scholars.† Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24 (2006): 178-191. Print. Gereffi, Gary. â€Å"Global Sourcing in the U.S. Apparel Industry.† Journal of Textile and Apparel, technology and Management, 2.1 (2001):1-5. Print. Gildea, Robert L. â€Å"Consumer Survey Confirms Corporate Social Action Affects Buying Decisions.† Public Relations Quarterly, 39 (1994-95): 20-22. Print. Kimball, Jay. â€Å"Walmart Partnering with Patagonia on Sustainable Business Practices.† 8020 Vision, 01 Jul. 2010. Web. Kirsten, Ann. â€Å"Promoting Sustainable Apparel.† Katerva, 2 Aug. 2011. Web. Locke, Richard, Qin Fei and Brause, Alberto. â€Å"Does Monitoring Improve Labor Standards? Lessons from Nike.† Industrial and Labor relations Review, 61.1(2007): 3-31. Print. Maignan, Isabell and Ferrell O.C. (2004). â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility and Marketing: An Integrative Framework.† Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 32.1(2004): 3-19. Print. May, Steve Kent, Cheney George and Roper Juliet. The Debate over Corporate Social Responsibility. Oxford: Oxford University P ress, 2007. Print. Orlitzky, Mark. â€Å"Payoffs to Social and Environmental Performance.† Journal of Investing, 14.3 (2005):48-51. Print. Stanford Graduate School of Business. â€Å"Walmart’s Sustainability Strategy (B): 2010 Update.† (2010):1-21. Print. The Economist. â€Å"Boycotting Corporate America.† The Economist, 26 May (1990): 69-70. Print. This term paper on Corporate Social Responsibility and Apparel Industry was written and submitted by user Braxton House to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The eNotes Blog Watch the Worlds Longest Book DominoChain

Watch the Worlds Longest Book DominoChain Last month the public library of very own hometown, Seattle, broke the world record for the worlds longest book domino chain. Check it out! It took twenty-seven volunteers, seven hours, and five attempts in all, but on May 31st at approximately 11pm the Seattle Public Library successfully toppled 2,131 books, domino style. The awesome number of books used allowed the library staff to get creative with the pathway, too, as books climbed ramps, scaled stairs, and at one point spilled across the floor to spell READ in giant letters. The books truly seem to have a life of their own  as they bypass scenes like a couple sharing a picnic and a woman reading on the beach. In truth, these books were actually given a second life, as all of them had been retired and donated to the library. Now that theyve had their moment in the spotlight, though, all should find a new home, thanks to the librarys ingenious way of getting the books back out there for public consumption: Books used in the record-setting event can be purchased at upcoming Friends of The Seattle Public Library book sales. Each book will have a special sticker identifying that it helped set the book domino world record, as well as the Web address so the book buyer can watch the video. Hopefully this attention-grabbing kickoff to the Seattle Public Librarys summer reading program will have a domino effect on the popularity of reading worldwide. Kudos to the two college students who masterminded the entire event:  Laura DAsaro and  Luke Greenway of Harvard University and Middlebury College.

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

Diets - Essay Example People with diseases such as diabetes need to refrain from eating a lot of carbohydrates. Rather, they should eat more whole grain, eat more poultry and fish and not red meat as well as reduce the amount of sugar they take in their body. They should refrain from eating or drinking food or drinks containing high levels of sodium (Chatham, 2012). Discuss Domino Effect (this is what I call this – this term is not in the text). How will not taking any measures versus taking action discussed for those items you discuss affect your health in the long term. Eating of fatty foods, less fruits and vegetables as well as increased amount of carbohydrates and sugar will lead to an increase in the calories in the body. It will also change the insulin and glucose level in the body leading to diabetes. This unhealthy eating and diet combined with the lack of exercise with increase fat in the blood vessels preventing the heart from pumping blood and this leads to cardiovascular diseases hence causing short life time. The domino effects comes in where the unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise cause the body not to function properly and the systems of the body like the cardiovascular system start crashing. If however the diet mentioned above is maintained combined with regular exercises, then long life is bound to be

Discuss the evolution of CSR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Discuss the evolution of CSR - Essay Example 14). Businesses have traditionally been known to exist for the key purpose of making profits. However, from as early as the start of the 20th century, entrepreneurs, mostly in the Unites States, recognised the importance of using resources in ways that would benefit both their businesses as well as the societies they worked with (Brewerton & Millward 2001, p. 76). As the idea gradually took root over two decades later, more organizations saw the significance of the entire business behaving in ways that were considered responsible socially, just like it applies to individual citizens. Although not evenly developed globally, the concept of CSR is becoming a key feature of organizations in regions that embrace it as it penetrates corporate consciousness and culture (Visser, Dirk & Manfred 2007, p. 69). That aspect has called for studies that examine its history, societal roles especially in times of crises and where is heading to. This paper will outline and discuss the evolution of CSR . It will include its history, role in the financial crisis and its prospects for the future, supported by examples. One rationale behind the genesis of SCR was the assumption that some theorists have termed wrong; that which perceived businesses as solely money-making organisations for the owners (Dincer & Dincer 2007, p 44). This assumption supported the idea that those who engaged in business only had personal and selfish interests. The implication was that it was up to consumers to assume the role of caring for the society’s welfare and take actions that support their interests (Dincer & Dincer 2007, p 46). However, most entrepreneurs recognise that while that still remains a real reason for the presence of their business in the society, they are also aware that they came together to collectively achieve what they could not as individuals. This perspective added a new objective to their reasons of existence; that of contributing to a society without which they could not s urvive. This awareness is embedded in the fact that the businesses only exist when there are societies to produce goods and services for; to produce raw materials for the businesses; and to offer a labour force in the businesses (Bhattacharya, Sankar & Korschun 2011, p. 83). However, the concept of giving back to society as initiated by the American businessmen at the start of the 20th century had to be abandoned in the advent of the early 1930s’ Great Depression. At that time, the only goal for businesses became to survive, while citizens only needed an employment that generated income. Then in 1939, a co-founder of the largely successful Hewlett Packard rekindled the need for companies to value to their existence and that of the societies, which took a slow start due to WWII and was later revived in the 1950s (Morrison, R 2008, p. 9). His opinion was that consumers will only be condescending to products that in turn support noble causes, charity and the environment. The rev ival is believed by some theorist to have resulted from a global corporation by regions that backed each other during the course of WWII and the recovery period that followed. By the 1980s, CSR was already a vital aspect of modern business and supporting

Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Business Law - Essay Example There has been no clear cut reason for the separation. The division appears to be more of prestige issue and professionally it is becoming an embarrassment to offer the excuse that the barrister performs a specialized or more professional role. Periodical studies highlight issues that throw the explanation of specialized roles of barristers in poor light (Cohen, Professor Harry; p11). Simply put, solicitors form the backbone of U.K.’s legal system. They come in direct contact with the public who come to them for all legal advises from litigation to commercial work. Litigation forms just a small part of the solicitor’s work that involves â€Å"commercial transactions, corporate matters, land, share and other property dealings† (Legal professionals: barristers, solicitors, executives; 1998). In order to become a solicitor, it is necessary to take a one-year Legal Practice Course (LPC). There are over 30 institutions throughout England who offer the LPC. Thereafter, the law student has to obtain a two-years training contract with a solicitors’ firm (The Legal Professions). Professionally, a solicitor must be a member of the Law Society which oversees his training, practice and the Society also takes up complaints made against the solicitor (Legal professionals: barristers, solicitors, executives; 1998). The role of the solicitor came into existence in 1823 when ‘The London Law Institution’ was formed by several prominent barristers. The name of this institution changed to ‘The Law Society’ in 1903. Women and ethnic minorities were not allowed to be members of the Law Society in those days. Now, half of the legal force in the U.K. comprises women (The Law Society, 2010). The closeness of the solicitors to people and corporations and their distinct efficiencies has enabled them to grow and flourish as individuals or firms. Solicitors have the potential to grow

Leadership is a critical management skill in various organizations

Leadership is a critical management skill in various organizations Introduction Leadership is as a critical management skill in various organizations, which influences and motivates a group toward the achievement of organizational goals (Rafferty Griffin 2004). One of the greatest assets of an organization is that strong managers create an environment to encourage members and motivate their high energy (Taggart, 1989). It is highlighted that leadership is an influence relationship between leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes. Effective leadership has drawn great attention from organization management in recent years due to its contribution to organizations competitive advantage. Leadership is become very much on every managers mind today in organizations. Originations are struggling due to the increasingly dynamic environment. As the challenges of leading and managing increase, leaders of organizations need to understand process, skills and knowledge to perform leader functions effectively. The most important reason for the position of a leader is to create a group of people to deliver desirable sales as unprofitable sales is a leaders biggest nightmare. Numeral reasons that can lead to undesirable sales include competitive market conditions, poor cooperation, strategies and decisions from the team or that the product is too expensive or not unique enough compared to other rival products (Robbins, 2005). Although certain circumstances are beyond control such as poor market conditions or a weak team, others are possible to have control over such as product exclusivity or special features and this is where the job of a capable leader comes in. Capable leaders are constantly pressured in searching for solutions that produce more results but equipped with depleting resources such as team members and budgets. However, it does not require much, only a new perspective to fully utilize each and every member of the team without overworking them or the budget. Open-minded leaders always have the upper hand as new methods and solutions can be created to increase sales. Some of the issues that arise are as follows: Getting fresh clients Boosting profits on advertising Inability to regularly reach expected sales revenue Shorten long tedious sale cycles Maintaining the effort input of the sales team Growing expenses to support a productive and efficient team Reduced margins due to increasing demands to discount Sustaining and expanding diminishing major accounts Rising inability to accurately predict sales revenue Inexperience and lack of knowledge of the products involved Recruiting and sustaining effective employees Constant decrease of market share Rising customer demands and decreasing consumer satisfaction Growing amount and aggressive rivals and reduced sales compared to them Dealing with salesperson who have no proper strategies in securing sales and poor time management Rationalization of the worlds economy Getting rid of the repeated occurrence of reduced margins due to desperate attempts of making sales towards the end of a sales quarter Rising amount of sales attempts that go unfinished Getting the exact requirements and needs from customers when purchasing products is progressively difficult Completing the whole process of buying and securing sales as fast as possible is increasingly difficult Having to constantly help and motivate team members that have little enthusiasm, drive and attention Salesperson that are investing too much time and effort into devising proposal for possible customers that have no genuine interest in purchasing from them Constant feedback from customers that claims our rivals are able to perform faster and cheaper it is harder to make sales against that as it is true Lack of the surest method in selling products to drive towards higher sales No ideas or strategies to get sales back on course Usual routine of inefficient, expensive and uneconomical sales methods such as weak direct marketing and expensive advertising or product improvement In this assignment we will be discussing about 2 leaders from different backgrounds respectively. The first leader is Indra Nooyi which is the CEO of Pepsi. The second leader is Philip Green which is the CEO of Arcadia Group. The similarities and differences of both the leaders will be discussed further below. Indra Nooyi Before examining three aspects of Indra Nooyis leadership, let us first review her background to get some idea of the person and leader she is. Born and educated in India, she moved to America to study for her Masters degree at Yale. Upon graduation, she got a job at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and she credits much of her subsequent success on her experiences there. From there, she worked in other companies before joining PepsiCo in 1994. Her track record there was impressive as she was instrumental in making moves that led to long term profitability for the company such as moving away from fast food affiliations to acquiring beverage companies like Tropicana and Gatorade (Businessweek, 2008). Consequently, she was made CEO of the company in 2006, a record of sorts as she was the first woman and the first Asian to hold the powerful post. Since then, she has steered the company well with her leadership philosophy of performance with purpose. In a speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2006, Indra cited the five Cs of her success. They are competency, courage and confidence, consistency, compass and coaching. In this report, we will examine how they are incorporated into three aspects of her leadership in terms of leadership style, coaching and mentoring and motivating employees. Indras leadership style can best be described as transformative (Seltzer and Bass, 1990). She is not content to maintain the status quo but redefines the concept of CEO. The traditional role of the CEO was akin to a autocratic monarch, in which power was wielded in punitive and tyrannical ways. Indra feels that that is outmoded and unsuitable for the 21st century (CNBC Business, 2008). The CEO must lead people, not rule over them. The leader must constantly keep abreast with changes in technology and new developments so that they can harness them to achieve competitive advantage. The workplace is getting increasingly diverse as more women and minorities constitute the average multinational corporation. Demographic changes at the workplace require a change in management style and Indra is aware of this. For example, the new generation is more technologically savvy and is less tied to the concept of lifetime employment at one company (Useem, 2008). Understanding this groups mindset is crucial in ensuring that the best and brightest are recruited and retained. Similarly, the organization cannot operate along mono-ethnic and mono-gender lines as there is increasing diversity. Diversity should not be viewed as a problem but as an asset to the company since the company can get the cream of the crop and an employee composition that is representative of the entire population. No longer can the CEO afford to direct from his or her office, but must go out and mingle with the masses. This does not only mean fostering better ties with employees but engaging with other stakeholders as well, As Indra points out, a CEO now not only has to deal with corporate stakeholders but with governments and NGOs too. Consequently, the CEO must travel a lot, especially for a multinational corporation like Pepsi. That way, they can meet their various customers and business partners to formulate new and better corporate level strategies. As a leader, Indra is friendly and approachable. She is energetic and has a fondness of singing (Useem, 2008). Yet, she is no pushover as she is very much in control of her company. In terms of Indras leadership style, we may use one of the behavioral theories, in which we can pinpoint behaviours that set apart good and poor leaders. Her leadership style can be described as democratic, if we use one of the University of Iowa Studies (Robbins and Coulter, 2005). Indra gets her employees involved in the decision making process and delegates authority. She listens to all opinions, even from those who may disagree with her. Also, she encourages employee feedback which is used as a coaching technique. From the University of Michigan Studies viewpoint, Indra is an example of a leader who shows consideration. She has genuine respect and mutual trust for her subordinates. Another interesting aspect of her leadership style can best be described as reconciliatory leadership (Bass, 1985). When there was an opening for CEO, Indra and another executive were in the running. However, when Indra was selected, she immediately sought to retain her erstwhile rival because she felt the other person would be good for the company. Many CEOs assemble a team of yes men and eliminate all threats and rivals but Indra thrives on building a team of rivals because she feels dissent and other opinions are crucial in building a thriving organization. Indra places great importance on coaching and mentoring programs. These are part of the broader spectrum of creating a learning organization. Training programs are formulated to nurture future leadership talent for the company and the company has a unique approach by seeking input from outside. Lifelong and practical learning are emphasized as well. Pepsi tries to help each employee discover their strengths and weaknesses so that they can build upon their strengths and reduce their weaknesses to make a more meaningful contribution. Employees and executives are taught to think for the long term and not focus too narrowly on short term gains. This approach has worked well for Indra as it allows her to spot trends and changes before competitors. Indras attitude towards coaching and mentoring can be described using the path goal theory. This states that a leaders job is to help followers in achieving their goals and to guide them in the right direction (Wofford and Liska, 1993). This type of leader also gives the necessary support to make sure that employees succeed and that goals are compatible with the overall objectives of the firm. Indra believes in motivating and empowering employees. While there may be slump in sales growth in Western markets, Indra motivates her employees not to give but to see the bigger picture of the business cycle. As a result, employees who relish a challenge are given the opportunity to have work stints abroad. Similarly, she did not close down or reduce the research and development facility, but did the reverse. By retaining employees during hard times, PepsiCo demonstrates that it values their contributions and this gesture causes tremendous goodwill among staff who reciprocated by working harder. One interesting way in which Indra motivates her senior executives is through non-financial ways. Most companies reward their senior executives with attractive remuneration packages. PepsiCo does more than that. Recently, Indra did the unprecedented by writing to the parents of the executives and thanking them for bringing up their children well. This created an emotional bond among her, the executives and their parents. The idea behind this occurred some years ago when she visited her mother in India. Her mother asked her to attend a formal function at home and all the guests complemented her mother on the good job she did in raising her (CNBC Business, 2008). This made Indra realize that she ought to thank the parents of her employees who did an amazing job raising them. As mentioned earlier, Indra is a firm believer in workplace diversity (CNBC Business, 2008). This may stem from the fact that as a woman and an Indian in America, she has a different outlook on life than the average white male CEO. Hence, men and women, people from different ethnic backgrounds and religious all stand an equal chance at getting promotion. Promotions are based solely on merit and diversity is also applied in the companys relations with its suppliers and customers. This is a strong motivator for all employees to try their best. Some organizations reward employees based on gender and racial lines. Hence, women and ethnic minorities are sidelined and not given due recognition for their contributions. This problem does not occur at Pepsi and there is evidence to show that employees are happier, more motivated and derive greater pride and satisfaction from their jobs. Similarly, the younger generations are drawn to work at Pepsi because they find it a challenging and enjoya ble place where they are understood and treated with respect. I am very inspired by Indra Nooyis leadership. She is proof that with intelligence, hard work and determination, anybody can succeed in whatever they choose. Yet, she is humble, friendly and does not lose sight of the more important things in life. She has repeatedly mentioned that she has to juggle the roles of CEO, mother, wife, daughter and daughter in law. Perhaps growing up in a traditional Indian family has taught her the importance of maintaining strong family bonds. This attitude is evident in PepsiCo, where she treats all employees as her extended family. Indra demonstrates that one does not have to be ruthless, manipulative and cruel to rise to the top as her nurturing and warm leadership style has not only endeared her to her employees, but motivates them to strive to do their best. This is leadership at its finest. Philip Green Able To Capitalize Opportunity Sir Philip Green is apparently planning to bring British Home Stores under the Arcadia umbrella (Seltzer Bass, 1990). This move might witness a cull of management jobs as he combines the two companies, which have previously been run as separate entities. But with the high street feeling the squeeze as more shoppers take the radical step of leaving their money in the bank (or under the mattress), Sir Philip is clearly on a mission to cut costs and this is an obvious way of doing it. The new set-up will see Bhs run in much the same way as the other brands in the Arcadia stable, allowing Green to combine head office functions like marketing, finance and supply chain. This will almost certainly mean that some executive roles will become surplus to requirements hence the likely nervousness this morning. Bhs became a real success story for Green after he bought it in 2000, although its sales have been flagging recently. Arcadia has also seen a mixed bag of results lately: the likes of Dorothy Perkins and Burton have been struggling, but Top Shop and Miss Selfridge have continued to produce record sales and profits (possibly because their younger clientele have more disposable income/ more money than sense). So its no surprise that Green is looking to retrench now, particularly with little sign of the high street gloom receding (Yukl, 1994). Equity theory Equity theory states that individuals compares their job inputs and outcomes with those of others and then responds to eliminate any inequities (Robbins Judge 2007, p.185). That is, employees will become de-motivated if their perceived inputs are greater than the outputs from the company (Adams 1965, cited in Chapman 2006). His reputation as a retailer is arguably second only to his renown for striking remarkable deals. In 2005, he paid himself a  £1.2bn dividend from Arcadia, the retailer he had bought in 2002 with only a few million pounds of his own money. He can identify a target in hours, secure billions of pounds worth of funding in days and be exiting the business with multimillion pound profits in months. While his detractors have levelled accusations of asset stripping at him, he vigorously denies his deal-making nous makes him a one-man personification of private equity. From his location, he can survey the world famous high street of which he controls a major slice. In fact, thanks to Arcadia, he runs 12% of the UK clothing retail market. In its industry, Green is ranked second and on more than an occasion he was close to owning Marks Spencer. In fact, they could have taken a large amount looking at the number of people borrowing and even up to eight times cashflow. After they had done 1.2bn of dividend, that year the company made a  £327m operating profit. They could have borrowed far more, but thats never been my strategy. Its hard to argue when you consider that six years on, Arcadia has added a quarter of a million square feet of selling space, employs 25% more people and has generated in excess of  £2bn in EBITDA. Green worked very hard to develop Arcadias brand, which includes Topman, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Evans. For once, Green is the master of understatement. Under his stewardship, the shop has revolutionised high-street retailing. The previously mediocre store is now a talisman of UK fashion, loved by teenagers, celebrities and fashion editors. Increasing Influence Upon leaving school, Green worked for the family firm, one of the first shoe importers to bring products in from China and Hong Kong. Exposure to international trade proved invaluable, he is grateful that the people who trained him taught him about finance, credit, importing and product. If he was to become interested in the more creative, product-buying side of the business, his understanding of the basic principles of retailing was instinctive. The high street fashion tycoon is as well known for his affluent lifestyle as he is for his business acquisitions a  £7m yacht,  £5m birthday party and a present from his wife of a solid gold Monopoly set, to name a few of his extravagances. Of late he has become something of a celebrity thanks in part to a friendship and business arrangement he has struck up with supermodel Kate Moss, who designs a range for his Topshop chain. Hes also been spotted holidaying with both Sylvester Stallone and Simon Cowell. Conclusion and Recommendation In sum, developing an effective leadership in organizations is the most essential, yet the most difficult tasks for organization management. Great leadership is the combinations of individual traits, leading skills and of course the situational contexts (Kotler, 1990). As we have discussed above, effective leadership is require both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. The intrapersonal skills are of paramount important, as it is logical and obvious that success or great leader all start from within. Only with personal inside strong desire to excel, passion, enthusiasm, determination, commitment, faith and effective personal values can a person become a true leader for others. A great leader among the people always starts as a great leader of his own. Then, interpersonal skills come into place, where the ability and skills to network, communicate and interact with the other people come into place. The effective leaders can guide companies through many different channels. Because o f this, it is important to know which leadership qualities motivate employees the best. Throughout the analysis and evaluation, there have been many leadership style theories identified. As we have found that, the autocratic leadership style has gone out of fashion in recent years, though certain situations, such as emergencies situations. Therefore, effective leaders must adjust the leadership style to various situations. In that sense, there is no one leadership style is appropriate for every occasion or situation. The most effective style to use depends upon the situation and whether the group members are willing and able to take on the responsibility. To be effective as a leader, its important to know your group in terms of knowledge, ability, desire and willingness, and be ready to adapt your style to suit the dynamic environment. An important task in the coming years will be the training and testing of future leaders. Further more, organizations have to have a bigger picture of long term success, that is strengthening leadership competencies will improve organizational effectiveness. When subordinates trusted their leaders leadership, and they deem it is equitable for them to obtain satisfactory rewards and outcomes when they made the greatest efforts. Therefore, effective leadership lead to a positive motivation and motivated employees will satisfy the customers of the organizations. In a long-term, it will help organization creating or maintaining a sustainable organizational competitive advantage.

Comparing Authority in Hope Leslie, Dinosaur in the Haystack, and A Riv

Authority in Hope Leslie, Dinosaur in the Haystack, and A River Runs Through It Authority is portrayed differently by each individual in life. Authority is portrayed by knowledge, wisdom, tone, and wording. The languages of authority are too numerable to count. In the novels Hope Leslie, Dinosaur in the Haystack, and A River Runs Through It the authors use three different techniques to portray authority while using religion and scripture to describe their arguments. Stephen Jay Gould demands authority because of the extensive studying he performs and yearns for knowledge that he possesses. Each of the essays that he presents has scientific merit and has been extensively studied. By writing about natural science and specifically evolution, Gould displays his expertise and therefore his authority. Gould being a scholar and a Jew has extensive knowledge of the Old Testament. He includes scripture in his writing to support his theories and explain the mind frame of many Americans. In "Dousling Diminutive Dennis’s Debate Gould tells of the debate on whether the millennium starts J...

Compare and contrast mongol rule Essay

During the 12th and 13th centuries the Mongols swept across Eurasia and conquered various peoples, including the Persians and Chinese. There are many slmllarltles and differences In the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on the Abbasid Empire In Persia and on the Yuan Dynasty In china. In both regions, the Mongols were relatively tolerant of all religions. However, they differed in that the Mongol’s allowed Persia to have native administrators but did not allow China to. When the Mongols ruled in Persia and China, they respected all the religions they encountered. In Persia, the Mongols were attracted to Islam and overtime they ssimilated to it. The Mongols were intrigued by Muslim society and by the year 1295, the Persian khanate had converted to Islam. They built mosques throughout the region and returned Islam toa privileged position of Persian society. The Mongols were also tolerant of the other religions in Persia including. Nestorian Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism. In China as well, the Mongols respected all cultural and religious traditions. They began to adopt some of Chinese culture, like ancestor worship. Khubilai Khan even built temples for his predecessors, so he could practice ancestor worship. The Mongols tolerated religions and belief systems such as, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and Christianity. They allowed churches, temples and shrines to be built, because they wanted to maintain a good relationship with the people ot the region. Although the Mongols tolerated Confucianism, they did not allow It to have official support. The Mongols effects on rellglon In Persia and china were quite similar. The Mongol’s ways of governing In Persia differed from how they governed In China. In Persia, the Mongols ruled using ideas from Persian bureaucracy. They set up many district and appointed provincial governors. The highest government positions were held by Mongols, but Persians were allowed to be government offcers at lower levels. Persians served as state officials, ministers and provincial governors. The Mongols allowed the Persians to govern the ilkhanate because they knew the Persians had a successful government and would be able to maintain order. However, the Mongols required the Persians to deliver tax receipts as a way of limiting Persian power. The Mongols set up government in China very differently than they had in Persia. The Mongol’s pushed native Chinese people to the bottom of the hierarchy. The Mongols got rid of Civil Service Exams because they thought there was no need for them. They did not make use of Chinese administrative talent; instead they had foreign administrators govern China. The governing staff included Persians, Arabs and some Europeans. The Mongols didnt want Chinese people to rule because all they wanted from China was to generate revenue and have the people be cultivators. The Mongols governed and treated the Chinese and Persian people very differently. The Mongols political and economic control on Persia and China were alike In some ways and unalike in others. The treatment and tolerance of religions in China ere very similar to that In Persia. Yet, the administrative control in Persia differed than the administrative control In China. The Mongols had multiple methods of ruling conquered regions, none 0T wnlcn were very successTul. However, tnrougnout the Mongols rule, they facilitated trade and encouraged long distance communication throughout Eurasia, which led to cultural diffusion that can still be seen today. Additionally, the Mongols support of Islam helped establish its popularity and encouraged its spread, which has contributed to Islam being the fastest growing and second largest religion.

Supercuts’ Market Segmentation

All of our target market segments are either of American, Canadian, British, or Puerto Rican nationality and come from lower to middle social classes. Segment 1: 18-50 years old men Supercuts have identified several target market segments that will be pursued. The largest market segment (65%1) are male customers aged between 18 and 50 years old who want to have a current look at an affordable price in a convenient location. These mostly urban area citizens are usually in hurry and aren't too picky with the design of their hair cut. These customers come to the salon on average every two weeks to let their hair cut.They hardly ever buy hair products from the company. Estimate of market size: 42. 3 million (32 million for US only) Support requirements: Supercuts have reasonable prices and have a lot of salons which are located in strip malls to maximize visibility and convenience. With the company, no appointments are necessary so a customer can get his hair done whenever he has few min utes of free time. Positioning statement: â€Å"Quick and fashionable haircut will move you faster on your way to success. † How to reach the segment: * Promotion via email, newsletters * Billboards on freeways, in malls Articles or advertisements in newspapers, magazines * Free haircut events in the malls * Reference rewards Price sensitivity: Because they are coming from lower or middle income category, the customers could be sensitive if the prices rise. However, if the company is loyal to them and they become long-time customers, they will most likely remain with Supercuts because to find a new good salon would take too much effort and time which these men don’t have. Segment 2: Parents of 3-13 years old children Another segment of their target market would be parents of usually younger children, between 3-13 years old.These parents want to get a cute haircut for their children. They require fast service for good price. They expect to bring their kids, get the hair cut done in 5 minutes, and leave. Children don’t like waiting. They require action or entertainment otherwise they will get bored and they will start crying or misbehave. What the parents are looking for is a nice hairdresser who will talk to the child, or who will give them a toy to play while she/he will be working on the child’s haircut. By this both the hairdresser and the parent will avoid stress from having to make the child calmer when he/she doesn’t want to get haircut.Going to hairdresser with a child should be from now a pleasant situation where a parent can relax with a cup of coffee and magazine in the hands, and doesn’t have to feel any negative feelings, inconvenience, or stress. Regarding necessity of getting a haircut, little boys usually need it once in a month or two, girl from two months to a year depending on the haircut. Estimate of market size: 33. 5 million (25 million for US only) Support requirements: Company’s priorities a re to be fast and convenient for an affordable price which will catch the attention of many parents.Hairdressers are very talkative and nice so children will not feel afraid of getting a haircut with them. Supercuts’ staff is trying to build loyalty with their little customers so when they grow up they continue using their services. Positioning Statement: â€Å"With us you can tranquilly drink your cup of coffee while we will be taking care of your child. † How to reach the segment: * TV commercials, advertisements in magazines * Billboards on freeways, in malls * Advertisements directly to mail box Free haircut events for children at elementary and middle schools, sporting ; extracurricular events while having parents present * Reference rewards Price sensitivity: Parents appreciate the convenience of having a stress-free salon visit with their child more than possibly higher prices. On the other hand, Supercuts still must consider the families’ lower or middle class background. Segment 3: Busy parents Third segment would be mothers or fathers with children requiring a lot of attention, especially employed parents for who time is money and who have to take care of their children at the same time, no matter if it is the man or oman taking care. They need to find few minutes in their busy schedule and get a new haircut for themselves. More than for complicated designs, they are looking for an easy haircut. At the same time, they still want to look chic. Estimate of market size: 29 million (23. 5 million for US only) Support requirements: Supercuts’ benefits are an easy access, parking, and the salon’s proximity to other big stores or supermarkets like Wal-Mart and Target. Customers can get their fast haircuts and do household shopping at once.From another point of view, Supercuts are known for staying on top of hairstyle trends, therefore the popularity of these salons increased by the interest of customers who would like to l ook fashionable. Keeping up with the changing trends is essential to the company. â€Å"We added ‘Supercolor’ quick color services since so many customers are now interested in getting highlights† says Alan Storry, the vice president of  Franchise  Development for Regis Corp. 2 At Supercuts, the staff often offer free samples of hair products which especially a lot of women appreciates. Positioning Statement: â€Å"Look chic in less than 20 minutes. How to reach the segment: * Promotion via email, SMS * Advertisements and discount cards in magazines, newspapers * Billboards on freeways, in malls * Reference rewards Price sensitivity: Lower prices are expected for this segment, but it might differ from family to family. Some families have a lot of children therefore they cannot afford getting expensive haircuts, some families have just one child, so even though the parents can still be really busy, they could pay for their haircut a bit more. Sources: 1 http: //www. wikinvest. com/stock/Regis_(RGS)/Supercuts 2 http://www. bison. com/profile_Supercuts_06012007

Article Summary Example

Article Summary Example Article Summary – Article Example Article Summary According to research studies by a group of economists, there is a close relationship between violence and the use of drugs (Benson 34). The use of drugs has become an international concern because of its effects on crime and violence. Some countries such as Mexico have made efforts to legalize drug trade in order to reduce its overall effects. Drug trade also has a number of implications on the economy. Drug trade has very high volumes of sales but there are minimal profits from such activities. This is because a large number of intermediaries are involved in the business hence reducing profit margins between individual businesses involved in the trade (Bruce 27). When trader can manage to be in business with low profits, they tend to operate by enlarging their bases and expanding business to make more sales. As a result, revenues realized by the respective countries are set to increase and result to economic developments (Bruce 27).Competition also tends to set in b ecause the market has minimum or no barriers to entry hence many people will be attracted to venture in drug trade Opinion polls conducted in the US and Mexico recorded that such countries would be well of if they had legalized the use of drugs. They argue that the legalization process would ensure that the country records high levels of GDP through taxation of the use of drugs. Research shows that if Mexico would legalize the use of drugs, then the country would be able to collect revenues close to what drug cartels collect (Benson 40). Benson, Bruce. Handbook on the Economics of Crime. Cheltenham: Elgar, 2010. pp. 23-145. Article Summary Example Article Summary – Article Example iPhones in a Foreign Market The paper summarizes the article ‘Britain turns its back on Android in favor of iOS’ posted in theTelegraph Media Group Limited by Rhiannon Williams on 7th January 2015. The article shows the expansion of the Apple’s market share in U.K. The article asserts that the market share for Apple’s Smartphone has grown rapidly in the recent years as compared to its competitor, Android (Williams 1). The article states that Apple has recorded its highest market share in Britains smartphone where it accounts for 42.5 % of all smartphone sales in U.K (Williams 1). The growth for Apple market share in foreign markets like Britain relates to its iOS operating system. The article shows how and why Britain consumers opted to buy iPhones instead of Android phones from Google leading to significant growth in iPhone sales (Williams 1).The article quotes a recent research done by Kantar WordPanelCom Tech Research Company that indicated Apple Company ’s sales as of November 2014 to be 23.8 % of smartphones sales in Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain (Williams 1). Indeed, the article recognizes an increase in iPhone sales U.K in the last one year. The article attributes this to the introduction of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus on September 2014 (Williams 1). The increase in brands and devices from different manufacturers allows U.K consumers to analyze different products before purchasing. The quality and features of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus motivated U.K consumers to choose Apple Smartphones that increased Apple market share. The article notes that the introduction of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus expanded Apple’s market shares in other foreign markets like China (Williams 1).Williams, Rhiannon. Britain turns its back on Android in favor of iOS. 7th January 2015. Web. 4th March 2015.

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Essay

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) - Essay Example The usages of these social media sites have proved to be both fruitful and dangerous. Adolescents and children have been engaging on social media platforms in a frequent manner, which have shown enhanced communication, technical skills as well as social connection. Popular social media sites such as, MySpace and Facebook, provide multiple opportunities for their users to connect with classmates, friends and other groups with similar interest, on a daily basis. A recent poll has revealed that almost 22 percent of teenagers use their favourite media sites almost 10 times daily. Nearly 50 percent of the teenagers use their mobiles for social media purposes and the number is continuously increasing (Schurgin & Clarke-Pearson, 2011). Therefore, it can be said that a significant part of the current generation’s emotional and social development is influenced by these social media websites (Roper & Shah, 2007). Various downsides have been observed because of large influence of these media sites. Limited self-regulation and peer pressure among adolescents and children have been posing some risk while these users are experimenting and navigating with multiple social media sites (Thomson, MacInnis & Park, 2005). Research has indicated that online expressions result in negative offline behaviours, including clique-forming, bullying as well as sexual experimentation, subsequently leading to privacy issues and cyber bullying. Other issues influencing children related to high usage of social media are sleep deprivation and internet addiction (Karahanna, Agarwal & Angst, 2006). A new phenomenon has been proposed by researchers, which is known as ‘Facebook Depression.’ It is a condition seen to develop in teens and preteens who are spending immense amount of time on numerous social media sites such as, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace and then developing classic depression symptoms. In an adolescent’s life, contact and acceptance by peers and friends is

Aspiration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Aspiration - Essay Example Aspiration could be consequential and come with the risk of leading to a type of pneumonia known as aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration is generally being identified to be common in some people than others. For example, patients who suffer dysphagia stand a higher risk of being affected with aspiration and on a very regular basis. Dysphagia could pose a risk to patients because it is the difficulty in swallowing and such difficulty commonly leads to misplacement of food or fluid particles. It is also said that the male to female ratio of risk is 2:1 (Medscape, 2012). What this means is that there are more males who are at risk to aspiration than females. It is for this reason that the control of aspiration is an important issue to health practitioners. Symptoms of aspiration are varying and often dependent on the level of risk. Most commonly however, aspiration will be characterized by coughing, choking, fever, chills, leakage of food from mouth, shortness of breath and wet voice after swallowing (University of Wisconsin, 2012) The National Safety Council is quoted as stating that choking is the forth leading cause of unintentional injury death (Medscape, 2012). There are other critical effects that adults and other sufferers of aspiration face. Some of these include a permanent expansion of one’s lungs or trachea (Selius and Subedi, 2008). Once such permanent damages take place, the resorting long term consequence is that there could be the development of dyspahgia, which in its self is a risk factor to getting aspiration. Practitioners often want to use the term conservative management because they have a feeling that aspiration is best treated when taken care of at the initial stage. To this effect, some of the treatments prescribed include the need to place children in upright positions, not putting children in seated position after ninety minues of feeding, raising head of bed to 300,