Essay on Is Stereotyping Inevitable - 1740 Words

Prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping are important topics at the cause of debating within social psychology. A stereotype is a generalization about a group of people, in which certain traits cling to all members, regardless of actual individual variation (Akert, Aronson, Wilson, 2010). As humans, people assign objects and individuals into categories to organize the environment. Individuals do this for not only organization, but also survival. Is stereotyping inevitable? That is the question; according to Devine (2007), it is, but Lepore and Brown (2007) have to disagree. Devine believes that â€Å"stereotyping is automatic, which makes it inevitable.† On the other hand, Lepore and Brown are not convinced that stereotyping is†¦show more content†¦Energy and conscious controlled thinking takes effort; this does not apply in social situations, making the stereotype appear (Devine, 1989). Cultural influence affects not only the formation of a stereotype, but also its acceptance. According to the tripartite model of attitudes, a stereotype is the cognitive component of prejudiced attitudes. Many contemporary theorists suggest prejudice is an inevitable consequence of the stereotyping process (Devine, 1989). This makes learning attitudes and stereotypes of social groups inevitable. There is strong evidence that stereotypes are established in children’s memories before they have the ability to use cognitive processing to accept or reject the stereotypes. In this developmental process, the stereotype is easier to access for the child than personal beliefs; therefore, the culture an individual lives in makes it impossible not to apply stereotypes in daily life (Devine, 1989). Schemas are mental structures people use to organize their knowledge about the social world (Akert, Aronson, Wilson, 2010). The accessibility of schemas makes them easier to retrieve in social situations. Priming is also relevant in how people apply schemas. Researchers in Germany pursued the idea that stereotypes organize as multiple, context-specific schemas that activate only by a combination of category and context informationShow MoreRelatedStereotyping Is Inevitable, By James Baldwin1717 Words   |  7 PagesStereotyping is inevitable, we all do it ad we all experience it, but this does not mean it does not effect us. Stereotypes are all around us. They effect the way we think about ourselves and the way we think about the people around us. Stereotyping leads us to act certain ways and treat people certain ways. At times it can be beneficial to a certain group, but may bring many disadvantages to others. Many times stereotypes limit us and restricting our success in life. In â€Å"A Letter to My Nephew,†Read MoreStereotyping986 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Stereotyping In My essay I will discuss stereotyping and different types of stereotyping. I will discuss how in todays society people are stereotyped in different many ways. In today’s society, there are stereotypes for almost any groups that individuals belong to. At some point in any person’s life, they would have experienced stereotyping. For instance, it is often said that all African Americans are good at basketball, males are more aggressive than females, Lawyers are deceitful, and the listRead More Media Stereotypes Essay examples1432 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Stereotypes â€Å"Media stereotypes are inevitable, especially in the advertising, entertainment and news industries, which need as wide an audience as possible to quickly understand information. Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people—usually relating to their class, ethnicity or race, gender, sexual orientation, social role or occupation.† Stereotypes are deeply embedded in every society in numerous ways. The dictionaryRead MoreStereotypes And Prejudice : Their Automatic And Controlled Components1169 Words   |  5 PagesArticle 1 – Stereotypes and Prejudice: Their Automatic and Controlled Components Devine (1989) argues that stereotypes are inevitable on the basis that stereotypes and prejudice coexist and that stereotyping occurs automatically. Devine attempts to prove this hypothesis in three experiments. Devine reasons that â€Å"as long as stereotypes exist, prejudice will follow.† This hypothesis is rooted in a correlation. Prejudice and stereotypes are related, however there is no clear evidence of causality;Read MoreGender Stereotyping Standards For Men And Women Across America909 Words   |  4 PagesGender stereotyping sets standards for men and women across America, this being true for the past few hundred years. It is not secret that women are said to be most useful in the kitchen, and that men are to be found somewhere doing hard work, being the bread winner. Also, in the way we allow our young children to be identified; blue means it’s a boy, pink means it’s a girl. As times change, so does society and its mentality as a whole. Some stereotype s have been more difficult to break than othersRead More Gender Differences and Gender Stereotypes from a Psychological Perspective1085 Words   |  5 PagesGender Differences and Gender Stereotypes from a Psychological Perspective Gender Differences and Gender Stereotypes Gender differences and gender stereotypes are fascinating in that one must sift through the theories, assumptions and inevitable confusion to distinguish the reality from the assumption. Men and women are obviously different, especially inherently, but how? And why? And which differences are more individualized than generalized? Even more interesting is to observe how theRead MoreIf I’m Asian I must be short, right? Essay1688 Words   |  7 Pageswhether racial, gender-based, religion-based, age-based, etc., continually permeate our society because it is difficult to undermine the psychological aspects of stereotyping, because of the media, and because it’s easier for people to cope with certain situations when they can generalize a group of people. The process of stereotyping a person is a cognitive, psychological process. People are given certain information and their mind processes it, imbuing it deep inside the mental crevices of theRead MorePrejudice in the United States963 Words   |  4 Pagesthink the core of prejudice comes from stereotyping, which is the generalization of motives, characteristics, or behavior to an entire group of people. In the world where media propaganda is ubiquitous, often times most stereotypes are not formed on valid experiences, instead they are based on images publicized by the mass media, or even created within our heads after seeing and hearing examples from many different sources, like movies, or even hearsay. Stereotyping is more powerful than we think, becauseRead MoreMedia Representation in Lgbt1343 Words   |  6 Pagesparticular segment of our world (LGBT). Stereotyping people can be harmful and have long lasting effects on us as a society, â€Å"It can transform slight assumptions on people and make them perceived realities† (Meem, Mitchellamp; Jonathan 2010). Such stereotypes are capable of perpetuating inequality and social prejudice in society. However, it is imperative to note that stereotyping through the media is sometimes inevitable. In the case of television, stereotyping occurs through advertisements, newsRead MoreThe Walt Disney Corporation1698 Words   |  7 Pagesantagonists to surmount, and an inevitable happy resolution complete with romantic love waiting in the end† according to Nguyen. What seems to be another common trend in Disney’s formulaic nature is the way in which gender and ethnic groups are portrayed in their animated films. But what appears to be â€Å"wholesome† and â€Å"innocent† within these films can ironically contain negative implicit messages in relation to gender an d racial stereotyping. In terms of gender stereotyping, women are depicted as â€Å"young

Biography of Jack Johnson, American Boxing Champion

Jack Johnson (March 31, 1878–June 10, 1946) was an American boxer who became the worlds first African-American heavyweight champion. He came to fame during the Jim Crow era, when the South was still racially segregated. Johnsons success in the ring made him one of the most famous African-Americans of his time. Fast Facts: Jack Johnson Known For: Johnson was an African-American boxer who reigned as the heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915.Also Known As: John Arthur Johnson, Galveston GiantBorn: March 31, 1878 in Galveston, TexasParents: Henry and Tina JohnsonDied: June 10, 1946 in Raleigh, North CarolinaPublished Works: My Life and Battles (1914), Jack Johnson: In the Ring and Out (1927)Awards and Honors: International Boxing Hall of FameSpouse(s): Etta Terry Duryea (m. 1911-1912), Lucille Cameron (m. 1912-1924), Irene Pineau (m. 1925-1946) Early Life Jack Johnson was born John Arthur Johnson on March 31, 1878, in Galveston, Texas. His parents Henry and Tina Johnson were former slaves; his father worked as a janitor and his mother worked as a dishwasher. Johnson left school after only a few years and went to work at the docks. He later moved to Dallas, where he first began learning how to box, and then Manhattan, where he roomed with boxer Barbados Joe Walcott. Johnson eventually returned to Galveston, where he participated in his first professional match on November 1, 1898. Johnson won the fight. Boxing Career Johnson boxed professionally from 1898 through 1928 and in exhibition matches until 1945. He fought 113 fights, winning 79 matches, 44 of them by knockouts. He defeated Canadian Tommy Burns on December 26, 1908, in the World Boxing Championship held in Sydney, Australia. This began a quest to find a Great White Hope to defeat him. James Jeffries, a leading white fighter, came out of retirement to answer the challenge. The ensuing match—known as the Fight of the Century—took place on July 4, 1910, in Reno, Nevada, in front of a crowd of 20,000 people. The fight went on for 15 rounds, with Jeffries growing wearier and wearier. He was even knocked down—for the first time in his career—twice. His team decided to surrender to save Jeffries from having a knockout on his record. For the fight, Johnson earned $65,000. News of Jeffries defeat ignited numerous incidents of white violence against blacks, but black poet William Waring Cuney captured the exuberant African-American reaction in his poem â€Å"My Lord, What a Morning: O my Lord,What a morning,O my Lord,What a feeling,When Jack JohnsonTurned Jim JeffriesSnow-white faceto the ceiling. The Johnson-Jefferies fight was filmed and became one of the most popular motion pictures of the era. However, there was a strong movement to censor the film, as many people did not want to publicize the news of Johnsons victory. Johnson won the heavyweight title when he knocked out Tommy Burns in 1908, and he held onto  the title until April 5, 1915, when he was knocked out by Jess Willard in the 26th round of the world championship fight in Havana, Cuba. Johnson defended his heavyweight championship three times in Paris before his fight against Jess Willard.  He continued boxing professionally until 1938, when, well past his prime, he lost his final match to Walter Price. Johnson was known for his defensive fighting style; he preferred to gradually wear down his opponents rather than going for a knockout. With each passing round, as his opponents became more exhausted, Johnson would ratchet up his attacks until going for the final blow. Personal Life Johnson received bad publicity because of his three marriages, all to Caucasian women. Interracial marriages were prohibited in most of America at the time. He was convicted of violating the Mann Act in 1912 when he transported his wife across state lines before their marriage and was sentenced to a year in prison. Fearing for his safety, Johnson escaped while he was out on appeal. Posing as a member of a black baseball team, he fled to Canada and later to Europe and  remained a fugitive for seven years. Wrench Patent In 1920, Johnson decided to return to the U.S. to serve his sentence. It was during this time that, searching for a tool that would tighten or loosen nuts and bolts, he made improvements  to the design of the monkey wrench. Johnson received a patent for his innovations in 1922. Johnson’s wrench was unique in that it could be easily taken apart for cleaning or repair and its gripping action was superior to that of other tools on the market at the time. Johnson is credited with coining the term â€Å"wrench.† Later Years After his release from prison, Jack Johnsons boxing career declined. He worked in vaudeville to make ends meet, even appearing with a trained flea act. He opened a night club in Harlem in 1920; it was later purchased from him and renamed the Cotton Club. Johnson wrote two memoirs, Mes Combats in 1914, and Jack Johnson: In the Ring and Out in 1927. Death On June 10, 1946, Johnson was in an automobile accident near Raleigh, North Carolina, after speeding away from a diner where he was refused service. He was rushed to the nearest black hospital, where he died at the age of 68. Johnson was buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. Legacy Johnson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954, followed by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. His career inspired numerous people, including heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who recorded an album in 1971 called A Tribute to Jack Johnson. The 1910 film of Johnsons famous fight against James Jefferies was added to the National Film Registry in 2005. Johnsons life was the inspiration for the 1970 film The Great White Hope. On May 24, 2018, President Donald Trump issued a posthumous pardon for Johnsons 1912 conviction. Trump called the heavyweight champion one of the greatest that ever lived and a truly great fighter. Sources Johnson, Jack.  Jack Johnson: in the Ring and Out. Kessinger Pub., 2007.â€Å"Remarks by President Trump at Pardoning of John Arthur ‘Jack’ Johnson.† The White House, The United States Government.Ward, Geoffrey C.  Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. Yellow Jersey Press, 2015.

William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Essay - 1382 Words

Emily’s Downward Spiral: An Analysis of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† In William Faulkner’s short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† the main character of the story is Miss Emily Grierson. To analyze and examine her character, it is almost impossible not to look at the psychological aspect of it. Through the narrative of Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† Miss Emily’s behavior and character is revealed as outright strange from any average standard of characters. A few days after they lay Miss Emily’s body to rest, the townspeople of Jefferson come to Grierson’s home to open one particular room upstairs, which has not been seen or entered into for the past several years. Miss Emily has kept this room closed from others for at least 40 years. When the door†¦show more content†¦As a result, Miss Emily remains unmarried. This situation perhaps helps readers understand how Miss Emily is trying to cope of all the burden and pressures of great expectations that others have of her. While most individuals can handle this kind of stress, Miss Emily unfortunately is unable to develop healthy, adaptive coping mechanisms. Another glimpse of her character is when the sheriff office attempts to collect taxes, Emily tells them â€Å"see Colonel Sartoris† (33), who had been dead almost ten years. â€Å"I have no taxes in Jefferson† reasserts Emily (33). Despite many attempts to collect taxes, Emily simply continues to ref use to cooperate with the town authorities. This observation of Miss Emilys behavior is telling us how irrational and inappropriate she is when she interacts with other people. Another episode of her erratic behavior occurs when Judge Stevens, the new town mayor, receives several complaints from the neighbors that a powerful, terrible odor is originating from Emily’s property and ordered by the neighbors to â€Å"send her word to have her place cleaned up† (33). This is another hint that Emily is becoming separated from her community and is totally unable to relate to other people in an appropriate matter. In the beginning, the townspeople â€Å"did not say she was crazy then.† (34). They sympathize with Miss Emily just after she loses her father, and just after the man whom the townsfolk believed she would marry deserts her. â€Å"PoorShow MoreRelatedWilliam Faulkners A Rose for Emily1600 Words   |  7 Pages William Faulkners A Rose for Emily  is set in the small southern town of Jefferson during the early decades of the twentieth century . At this time, vast and cardinal changes were being made by the upcoming new south to conceal and move from the horrid truths that were a part of the towns history. In lieu of this, Jefferson was at a turning point in which they were having difficulty coming to terms with these changes . Integrating Faulkners use of character and symbols with other sourcesRead MoreEssay on William Faulkners A Rose for Emily1539 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Faulkners A Rose for Emily As any reader can see, A Rose for Emily is one of the most authentic short stories by Faulkner. His use of characterization, narration, foreshadowing, and symbolism are four key factors to why Faulkners work is idealistic to all readers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The works of William Faulkner have had positive effects on readers throughout his career. Local legends and gossip trigger the main focus of his stories. Considering that Faulkner grew up in Mississippi, he wasRead MoreWilliam Faulkners A Rose for Emily: An Analysis807 Words   |  3 PagesConsider Faulkners own words as you think about A Rose for Emily. In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Faulkner said,  ¦the young man or woman writing today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth the agony and the sweat. How is A Rose for Miss Emily a story about the human heart in conflict with itself? In William Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the protagonist Miss Emily GriersonRead MoreAn Analysis of William Faulkner’s â€Å"a Rose for Emily†1428 Words   |  6 PagesThe Devastating Outcome of Oppression: An Analysis of William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† When a person has only been taught dysfunctional love, it is all too often that this is the only kind of love they will ever experience. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, William Faulkner explores an unorthodox relationship between an aristocratic southern lady named Miss Emily Grierson, and a blue-collar northern fellow named Homer Barron. The narrator, who likely represents the townspeople, describesRead More William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Essay729 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Faulkners A Rose for Emily â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner is set in a small Southern town during the post-Civil War era. The story revolves around the strange and tragic events of Miss Emily Grierson’s life. At first glance, Emily seems like a lonely woman with little self-confidence and low self-esteem that seems to stem from her upbringing by her father. There seemed to be some kind of abuse by her father and the fact that she had seemed to have lived such a sheltered lifeRead MoreThe Reconstruction In William Faulkners A Rose For Emily1243 Words   |  5 PagesAfter an extended period of the Civil War and the Reconstruction, William Faulkner published his short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily† in 1930. In his fictional Jefferson, Mississippi (the county seat of Yoknapatawpha), Faulkner tells a story about Emily, an unhappy woman. The story begins at Emily’s funeral, and all the villagers in the town come to see the inside of the abandoned building (nobody has entered the house for at least ten years). The story flashes back decades before the funeral, Emily’sRead MoreDiagnosing Miss Emily in William Faulkners A Rose For Emily 918 Words   |  4 PagesIn William Faulkners A Rose For Emily there is more than enough evidence to determine that Miss Emily is mentally ill. Most of the clues and hints are subtle, but when they are all pieced together the puzzle becomes clear. Not saying it is clear as too what Miss Emily was suffering from, the only way to know that for certain would be if the author or narrator told us in the text. We can conclude, however, she was suffering from some form of mental illness. Miss Emily was seen as a recluse and oddRead More The Importance of Plot in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily1431 Words   |  6 Pages The Importance of Plot in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily In â€Å"A Rose For Emily†, by William Faulkner, plot plays an important role in how the story is played out. Faulkner does not use chronological order in this short story. Instead, he uses an order that has many twists and turns. It appears to have no relevance while being read, but in turn, plays an important role in how the story is interpreted by the reader. Why does Faulkner present the plot of this story in this manner? HowRead MoreAnalysis of William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Essay1187 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† In â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, William Faulkner uses symbolism, imagery, simile and tone. Faulkner uses these elements to lead his characters to an epiphany of letting go of out-dated traditions and customs. The resistance to change and loneliness are prominent themes within â€Å"A Rose for Emily†. Faulkner uses â€Å"A Rose for Emily† to caution his readers that things are not always what they appear to be. The tone of â€Å"A Rose for Miss Emily† couldRead More The Role of the Watch in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily1199 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of the Watch in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Even the casual reader of William Faulkner will recognize the element of time as a crucial one in much of the writers work, and the critical attention given to the subject of time in Faulkner most certainly fills many pages of criticism. A goodly number of those pages of criticism deal with the well-known short story, A Rose for Emily. Several scholars, most notably Paul McGlynn, have worked to untangle the confusing chronology

Immigration And The United States - 1430 Words

Immigration is a major factor that is greatly contributing to the unprecedented demographic changes that are presently occurring in the United States. Limited literature exists concerning the psychosocial and mental health problems experienced by immigrants as a result of immigrating and subsequent adjustments. Undocumented immigrants have no legal rights and are often emotionally, physically, and economically abused. Without the right to vote and stay in the U.S. legally, immigrants have little power to change oppressive social structures. Given the dramatically growing immigrant population in the U.S., multicultural social justice counselors are confronted with a challenge to provide culturally responsive services for this population†¦show more content†¦each year and approximately one-half million enter illegally (Migration Information Resource, 2010). Approximately 94% of undocumented immigrants live in urban areas (Passel Cohn, 2009). From an employment perspective, immigrants constitute 22% of all low-wage workers and 40% of all low-skilled workers (Capps Passel, 2004). The median household income for undocumented Mexican immigrants in 2007 was $32,000, as compared to $50,000 for U.S. born citizens (Passel Cohn, 2009). In fact, 2/3 of all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. work force earn salaries that are less than minimum wage (Passel, Capps, Fix, 2004). A study of undocumented Mexican immigrant workers found that this population had completed an average of 7.7 years of school (Greene, 2003). When immigrants leave the country that was their home, they leave behind a familiar language, culture, community, and social system. Many suffer trauma from culture shock, difficulties finding food and shelter, and the likely losing one or all family members. These difficulties place immigrants at an increased risk for psychos ocial problems, school failure, drug use, and other risk-taking behaviors. Mexicans are typically drawn to the U.S. by higher wages and the willingness of U.S. employers to hire them (Griswold, 2003). According to McCarthy (2009): â€Å"For many individuals coming to the United States in search of work, the potential economic benefits outweigh the

Competitive Advantage Free Essays

string(56) " improve the chances you have found a real value stock\." The competitive advantage is thought to be stronger when it lasts for longer period of time. Those companies who are able to maintain a competitive advantage for many years are thought to have a sustainable competitive advantage. Understanding the Concept Sustainable competitive advantages are company assets, attributes, or abilities that are difficult to duplicate or exceed; and provide a superior or favorable long term position over competitors. We will write a custom essay sample on Competitive Advantage or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sustainable competitive advantages are required for a company to thrive in today’s global environment. Value investors search for companies that are bargains. In order to avoid purchasing a value trap one Of the factors we search for is sustainable competitive advantages. Without one or more sustainable competitive advantages a company may not be able to recover from whatever caused the stock to become a bargain. We only want to buy the stocks of companies that are real value investments, not value traps. In other words, we want to buy stocks trading below their intrinsic value and will grow cash flow for shareholders. If sustainable competitive advantage is dependent on maintaining a higher profit margin than other companies in the same industry, how does a company set out to develop a strategy to both achieve and maintain competitive advantage? The two main components of profit are that customers both value the goods and services and will pay for them; and that a company can keep production costs related to goods and services low, so that there is a higher profit margin. For example, if Sally’s Cupcake Shop can make a chocolate cupcake for 25 cents and sell it for $1. 0, the profit on each cupcake is 75 cents. Sally’s customers will pay $1. 00 per cupcake because the cupcakes are delicious and made with high quality ingredients. A few blocks away, Bobby’s Cupcakes More spends 40 cents making a chocolate cupcake, but can only sell the cupcake for 50 cents. Bobby’s profit is only 10 cents per cupcake. Customers will not pay as much money per cupcake, because Bobbyâ€⠄¢s cupcakes are not as tasty and are not made with ingredients that match the quality of Sally’s cupcakes. Sally will be able to maintain a competitive advantage as long as she keeps costs lower than the amount customers will pay, allowing her to build a higher profit than Bobby. If this continues year after year, even as costs and prices change, Sally would be said to have the sustainable competitive advantage. However, Sally cannot become too comfortable with her advantage, and instead must antique to find ways to maintain a competitive advantage. Bobby may become motivated to outperform Sally. If Bobby is able to increase his own profit substantially, he could potentially take away the sustainable competitive advantage. Your competitive advantage is what sets your business apart from your competition. It highlights the benefits a customer receives when they do business with you. It could be your products, service, reputation, or even your location. For example, do you offer home delivery, a money back guarantee, a 2-hour call-out service or childcare facilities? Types ND Examples of Sustainable Competitive Advantages Low Cost Provider/ Low pricing Economies of scale and efficient operations can help a company keep competition out by being the low cost provider. Being the low cost provider can be a significant barrier to entry. In addition, low pricing done consistently can build brand loyalty be a huge competitive advantage (I. E. Wall-Mart). Market or Pricing Power A company that has the ability to increase prices without losing market share is said to have pricing power. Companies that have pricing power are usually taking advantage of high barriers to entry or have earned the dominant session in their market. Powerful Brands It takes a large investment in time and money to build a brand. It takes very little to destroy it. A good brand is invaluable because it causes customers to prefer the brand over competitors. Being the market leader and having a great corporate reputation can be part of a powerful brand and a competitive advantage. Strategic assets Patents, trademarks, copy rights, domain names, and long term contracts would be examples of strategic assets that provide sustainable competitive advantages. Companies with excellent research and development might have label strategic assets. Barriers To Entry Cost advantages of an existing company over a new company is the most common barrier to entry. High investment costs (I. E. New factories) and government regulations are common impediments to companies tying to enter new markets. High barriers to entry sometimes Create monopolies or near monopolies (I. E. Utility companies). Adapting Product Line A product that never changes is ripe for competition. A product line that can evolve allows for improved or complementary follow up products that keeps customers coming back for the â€Å"new ‘ and improved version (I. . Apple phone) and possibly some accessories to go with it. Product Differed tuition A unique product or service builds customer loyalty and is less likely to lose market share to a competitor than an advantage based on cost. The quality, number of models, flexibility in ordering (I. E. Custom orders), and customer service are all aspects that can positively differentiate a product or service. Strong Balance Sheet/ Cash Companies with low debt and/or lots of cash have the flexibility to make opportune investments and never have a problem with access to working capital, liquidity, or solvency. The balance sheet is the foundation of the company. Outstanding Management / People There is always the intangible of outstanding management. This is hard to quantify, but there are winners and losers. Winners seem to make the right decisions at the right time. Winners somehow motivate and get the most out of their employees, particularly when facing challenges. Management that has been successful for a number fears is a competitive advantage. Value Investing and Sustainable Competitive Advantages Companies with one sustainable competitive advantage might be successful. Finding companies with multiple sustainable competitive advantages will greatly improve the chances you have found a real value stock. You read "Competitive Advantage" in category "Papers" Can you think of any sustainable competitive advantages I may have missed? Http://arborinvestmentplanner. Com/sustainable-competitive-advantages- definition-types-examples/ How to identify your competitive advantage To identify your competitive advantage, you need to understand your competitors and your customers. Ask yourself: Why do customers buy from Why do customers buy from our competitors and not us? Why do some potential customers not buy at all? What do we need to do to be successful in the future? Market research will help you to answer these questions. Good market research will reveal how your business is different from your competitors, and what you have to offer that appeals to your customers. In-depth customer research will help you identify your customers’ needs and increase your competitive edge. Use our market research kit to find key economic, demographic and statistical information about your industry. Customers buy benefits When customers buy your product or service, they are buying the benefit that it gives them. It may be that your product makes their life simpler, or your service helps them to feel better about themselves. Think about how your competitive advantage benefits your customers. For example, the competitive advantage for a sandwich shop may be: We use fresh, local ingredients to make-to-order the highest quality gourmet sandwiches in the local area. Different customers may see different benefits: customers with allergies or particular dislikes will enjoy the convenience of ordering a sandwich with their preferred ingredients customers who want to treat themselves will be attracted by the fresh, high-quality ingredients, and he fact that the sandwiches are gourmet customers who want to support local businesses will appreciate thou use only local ingredients. Thinking about how your business can benefit your customers will help you to pinpoint your competitive advantage. A strong competitive advantage: reflects the competitive strength of your business (e. . Quality of service) is preferably, but not necessarily, unique is clear and simple may change over time as competitors try to cash in on your idea must be supported by honest and ongoing market research must highlight the benefits to customers rather than boast Of your business itself. After you have highlighted your competitive advantage, the best way to tell your customers a bout it is to create your unique selling proposition. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF Samsung Electronics is part of one of the largest multi-billion dollar corporations in the world. In 2007 it exceeded the $Bonn mark in annual sales for the first time in its history. This makes it one of the world’s top three companies in the electronics industry where only two other companies, Siemens and Hewlett-Packard, have posted larger revenues. The name Samsung literally means ‘three stars’ or ‘Tristan’ in Korean, reflecting the Samsung Group’s dominance in two further sectors: Samsung Heavy Industries and Samsung Engineering and Construction. â€Å"The support need – when and where you need it’ Samsung respects the choice customers have in how and with whom they do business. That why, to more effectively support product lines, Samsung has established a geographically-dispersed base of direct dealers and indirect channel partners that result in tight-knit national coverage. So, as a single- or multi-location operation, you benefit from having Samsung partners right where you need them most – near corporate headquarters, at branch offices r out in the field. A direct connection to Samsung through your authorized dealer. As a decision maker for your business, it’s your job to make the right choices to keep your business competitive and vibrant. With an authorized Samsung dealer as your telecommunications solutions provider you can rest assured that your telecommunications needs are being fulfilled. Look at your Samsung dealer as your trusted advisor, keeping you informed about new technology advancements, service options and cost-effective measures that can give your business a competitive advantage. Samsung singular focus is n businesses like yours. Its authorized dealers represent a commitment to supporting you with outstanding solutions and service capabilities. Dealer expertise is sharpened in Samsung mandated certification courses, so you can be confident in the technology and service you are receiving. Samsung supports its authorized dealers along the entire continuum with product training, deployment, installation and professional services. This life cycle of support provides you with an additional Samsung advantage – a five-year hardware warranty that reduces your long term costs. Less one Of the ways Samsung thanks you for investing in their solutions. A strong commitment to research development Samsung strives to understand what customers need ahead of its competitors. Their engineers adjust their thinking to develop original and innovative products that will meet those needs, along with new technologies to lead the future market. They respond to the â€Å"voice of the customer’ by designing and testing new products, and through hands-on management of product lifestyles. Each year Samsung has invested at least 9% of sales revenue into RD activities. As the company continues to increase RD pending, their commitment to leading technology standardization and securing intellectual property rights remains strong. In fact, Samsung was the largest publisher of U. S. Patents in 2006 and is the owner of one of the largest U. S. Patent portfolios-?increasing patent procurement by 1 1 percent year over year. Cutting-edge tech oenology that’s affordable. Samsung expertise in voice/data convergence, wired, wireless communications, Vivo and core network technologies has produced Offices†;’ 7000 – a family of groundbreaking business communications solutions that are redefining the rules of the game. The Officers†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ platform provides you with business advantages across your entire spectrum of needs. First, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your communications are being routed over a secure, reliable platform. Second, the intuitive design and scalable architecture of this platform enables growth in affordable increments, so your investment will carry you well into the future with significant ROI. In addition, the system’s architecture provides flexibility-?a medium where additional applications can be added to enhance the power of Samsung solutions. More and more small and mid-sized genuineness are realizing the need for Computer Telephony Integration solutions to manage their resources and desktops. In response, Samsung has developed a suite of Officers†;’ CT I applications for improving call handing, managing the user interface, interpreting and gathering call reporting and improving customer affinity through screen pops that detail names and call history. Standards-based technology means that system serviceability is just a phone call away and your telecommunications are reduced in operational complexity. With its single expandable architecture, Officers 7000 installs ND configures easily. You are considering a platform that not only gives you access to voice and data throughout your office complex and even off-site, but also eliminates divergent systems, bottlenecks and competition between voice and data applications. Whether you are upgrading or are launching a converged system for the very first time, this line-up of systems offers a perfect blend of versatility and power that will speed up your business. Sources of Samsung cost advantage in DRAMS Samsung cost advantage is clearly visible from the comparison of costs (and heir elements) that were borne by the company and its competitors in 2003 (Tab. 3): Samsung* overall cost was 24 per cent lower than the weighted average cost of the other four producers; two most significant elements of the cost structure, I. E. Raw materials and labor, were 36 and 27 per cent lower respectively. When expressed by means of a relation of average selling price to costs (â€Å"productivity’ of cost elements), the differences are even more visible (com. Tab. Overall superiority of Samsung over its competitors exceeded 51 per cent! The cost advantages related to raw materials may be explained by better negotiated agreements with suppliers (perhaps due to the larger volumes of purchases – com. Fig. 5) and possibly less shipping and distribution costs that stem from the fact that Samsung FAA facilities are geographically collocated (while co mpetitors’ facilities are spread world-wide). In terms of labor productivity only Chinese SIMI outperformed Samsung, but that came hardly unexpectedly: low labor costs in China had been and were to remain unbeatable for some time yet. Other possibly meaningful factors that cannot be forgotten include: higher yields (due to process quality ND use of more efficient, larger silicon wafers), use Of Common core design for different products supported by the flexibility of production lines (which enabled cost-efficient production of a wide variety of different semiconductors), and – reportedly -? 12 per cent lower investment in capital assets related to the aforementioned strategic decision on FAA collocation. The last but not least element of the Samsung â€Å"cost puzzle† (which, unfortunately cannot be supported by concrete numbers from the case study, and is rather based on intuition) was the way the firm built and maintained intellectual capital and stimulated innovativeness and creativity among employees. It had established an incentive-based remuneration system, it sponsored employees for Pads and MBA education, it created a family-friendly working environment in which more of employees’ energy could be devoted to solving problems at work instead of troubles in private lives. In most modern industries, such a long-term approach and investing in human capital eventually pays off resulting in higher productivity and better and cheaper products. Sources of Samsung price premium in DRAMS Samsung achieved an almost 1 5 per cent price premium over (the weighted average price of) its competitors (com. Tab. How was that possible? There were, apparently, two main reasons for that: quality and product mix. The former was definitely a unique advantage in the semiconductor industry which was, generally, characterized by little product differentiation (in terms of physical and functional properties), and where demand was highly price- driven. Even though, due to the outstanding quality and reliability of its products, Samsung had managed to achieve a position which justified paying remit for its products. Between 1995 and 2005 the company won awards for performance from most of its major customers, and many of them (even rivals of one another) named Samsung their supplier of choice. Of course, the highly-recognizable brand (the value of which was estimated at almost USED 11 billion in 2003 ! ) helped to maintain the price premium as well. The Samsung successful product mix strategy, on the other hand, was realized through extremely wide differentiation of products that the company manufactured: in DRAM memory segment it was over 1,200 different types! The large product portfolio allowed Samsung to address a very broad market and to avoid fierce price fighting in the most competitive sector of so called commodity DRAMS (where many producers had to sell below production costs). Apart from the ‘mainstream’ mass products (in general: low-cost commodity DRAMs), Samsung offered: ; â€Å"legacy products†, I. E. Older types of chips, production of which was continued after the industry had moved to newer generations and which – due to limited supply – could be sold at price premium; ; â€Å"specialty products† – chips designed for niche uses where the rice was usually agreed on bilaterally between Samsung and a given buyer (at the same time, the company was able to optimism costs by building the customized architectures using a common core design). How Samsung should react to threat of large-scale Chinese entry? In my opinion, none of the two options of reacting to the Chinese â€Å"menace† that were presented in the case study, should have be chosen by Samsung as the only one. Rather, a mix of the two seemed to be an optimal approach. Samsung unique ability to maintain the low-cost and, at the same time, differentiated production should have been maintained, but – simultaneously certain aspects of the changing industry environment might have been taken advantage of as well. It was not necessary for Samsung to desperately look for ways to decrease its labor costs (which is usually a reason for established companies to move their production to China): its cost advantage over competitors was supposed to remain for some time. On the other hand, in line with an old Chinese saying: â€Å"keep your friends close, but the enemies even closer†, it was not advisable to ignore the rising competitors (as the industry had done years earlier with regards to Samsung itself). Earlier of eater, China itself was posed to become a significant (if not the most significant) market for semiconductors, thus all actions aiming at better positioning itself to sell in the market seemed to be highly desirable. Therefore, Samsung should have decided to partner with a Chinese firm for production of its low-end, legacy products. At the same time, its state-of-the- art technologies had to be kept in-house. Such a strategy would let Samsung preserve its valuable intellectual property; manufacturing of the mass market products together with Chinese did not pose a threat to the IP, since cosmologies necessary for that usually were no longer proprietary information. On the other hand, the partnership might result in a possibility to further decrease the costs due to availability of attractive subsidizing from the Chinese government and lower labor costs, and – of course – prepare grounds for enlarging sales to customers in the opening and growing market. There was, however, a number of important aspects that had to be remembered while implementing the strategy: ; Samsung competitive advantage related to the unique breeding environment for innovation and efficacy of the centralized RD and production should have been preserved, thus all new product development had to be kept in the Korean headquarters; ; another competitive advantage of the company, the quality, should have been definitely maintained, too; it might have become a challenge if part of the production was to be moved to China, therefore Samsung had to ensure it could properly influence its Chinese partner (e. . By remaining a majority stakeholder in the joint undertaking); ; while overall reduction of costs was not of key importance for Samsung, the partnership tit a Chinese firm could have been, nonetheless, used for reduction Of labor costs related to production of legacy products (in case of which the associated gain was to be most significant) with no risk of compromis ing valuable intellectual property; that way, another competitive advantage of Samsung, the industry best ASP to cost ratio, would be further strengthened. However, in parallel to building the partnership, Samsung couldn’t have forgotten about other Chinese would-be competitors which would supposedly flourish around. Therefore, the company should have kept throng focus on maintaining its technological leadership through cutting-edge R (still unavailable at the time, despite having relatively easy access to capital, for Chinese start-ups), especially towards future substitutes for DRAMS: flash memory chips. 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Forensic science and technology Essay Example For Students

Forensic science and technology Essay Rape, murder, theft, and other crimes almost always leave a devastating mark on the victim. More often than not, it would be impossible to identify the perpetrator a crime without forensic science and the technology it uses. Forensic science allows investigators to unmask the secrets of the crime scene. Evidence gathered at the crime scene helps to identify the guilty party, murder weapon, and even the identity of the victim (Harkawy, 1991: 276). The new technologies enables the forensic experts to have better and faster access to accumulated information, to be more accurate in the identification of victims or delinquents, and minimizes the possibility of wrongful accusations. New technology has improved the methods and techniques that forensic scientists and law enforcement investigators use, in order to provide a safer environment for other people. Information technology is one of the most important aspects in forensic science. It is very important for the forensic experts to receive the undisturbed evidence, such as fingerprints left at the crime scene, as quickly as possible, for more accurate readings. Thus using space technology, such as satellite communication, enables the forensic experts to gather and digitize evidence at the crime scene, enter it into an on-site computer, and beam the data to a crime lab for swift analysis (Paula, 1998: 12). Therefore, due to the use of this technology, forensic experts in laboratories can examine the evidence in short time, and the possibility of damage or unlawful manipulation of the evidence before the trial is minimal (Paula, 1998: 12). More often than not, criminals wear gloves at the time of the crime, thus to obtain a fingerprint can be a difficult task. However, they may leave footprints behind, which are often left in unusual places, such as a window ledge, in a flower bed or on a piece of furniture (May, 1993: 18). Computerized databases allow unskilled police officers to search the national database of footwear for important information, such as shoe manufactures, or evidence that links the footprint to marks from other crimes scenes. This footwear database enables the investigating officers to gather evidence against the accused much faster and it is also saves precious time ( May, 1993:18). One of the oldest forms of identification is the use of fingerprints and with the use of todays technology, many corporations can use this type of technology to help prevent various frauds. For example, in the mid 1990s Metro Torontos Human Services Committee (MTHSC) proposed the use of a finger- scanning system in order to prevent welfare fraud. People applying for welfare would have to place their index finger on a scanner. If their prints did not match those of someone already receiving benefits, they would be eligible for a debit card, which would allow them to withdraw monthly payments from any bank machine. This type of technology is not in use just yet, but it is available and would minimize welfare fraud (Sternbergh, 1996: 64). Computers are also highly used in forensic science. For instance, computer forensic, also referred to as forensic computer analysis or computer examination can be used in finding the evidence for white collar crimes. Many computer forensic experts can recover data from Computer Processing Units (CPUs) and software, which may have been manipulated with by someone, who wished to destroy the evidence. After the data is retrieved and interpreted by the computer forensic expert, the evidence can be used in a court of law (Computer, 1999). On the contrary, computers can also benefit those people, who want to enrich themselves through fraud. White collar crimes are, more often than not, very hard to detect because the globalization of the economy and information technology such as electronic money transfers have eased the path for the fraudster (Forensic, 1996: 12). Therefore, forensic accountants expertise has been used by many corporations, in order to detect individuals, who may be engaged in white collar crime. Forensic accounting is a discipline that deals with the relation and application of financial facts to legal problems (Forensic, 1996: 11). Due to their investigative and financial experience, forensic accountants are often needed in the investigation of fraud such as credit card fraud, false financial statements, false invoices, manipulation of cheques, .

What Makes America free essay sample

Since America has been created, tons of people have been travelling here and starting new lives striving for the success they deserve. Different aspects can add up to the identity of America. America has been widely shaped by citizen’s uniqueness, their ethnicity, and chances they have to become successful. Though there is a lot that molds American Identity, America has been shaped due to different lifestyles, which is illustrated through people’s individuality, religions and race, and opportunities. Everyone has a different lifestyle, which in the big picture creates American Identity. Individuality creates everyone’s uniqueness and shows what people can bring to society. In â€Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity,† author Michael Jay Friedman explains the difference between the â€Å"Melting Pot or Salad Bowl† metaphor. Friedman states, â€Å"They strain at first to overcome their differences, but by film’s end all have bonded – as Americans† (Friedman). This quote clearly explains the strain that Americans have overcome to create a bigger whole, which has become America. We will write a custom essay sample on What Makes America? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page No matter how many differences each and every American has, they can all come together to create something much greater than anything else, a free country with a lot to offer. In another part of â€Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity,† Friedman defines how there is no picture perfect American. Friedman expresses, â€Å"There simply is no one picture of a ‘typical’ American. From the powdered-wigged Founding Fathers to the multiracial golf champion Tiger Woods, Americans share a common identity grounded in the freedom – consistent always with respecting the freedom of others – to live as they choose† (Friedman). In the text, Friedman explains how everyone is different, but in his or her differences Americans can respect the freedom of others, letting people be as unique as they please. In this nation, people have the freedom to do whatever they like, but it’s up to society to respect their wishes and always welcome them with open arms. Individuality will always remain in the United States because of the freedom that America has provided to their citizens and continue to add to American Identity. Along with individuality comes religions and race. All the immigrants and differences in people, which include their ethnicity and their religious views, have molded America. Langston Hughes expresses how his race was not always free in America, but since then things have changed to add to America’s Identity and story behind the United States as a country. In â€Å"I, Too, Sing America,† Hughes illustrates, â€Å"I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong. By Hughes saying this, it shows how going through hard times with segregation and discrimination gives America character and proves to citizens that everything is not perfect, nor is everyone proving that American Identity has been shaped by positive and negative attributions. With religion, America’s wide variety of spiritual faiths has expanded across the country. Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur explains what an American is in his piece, â€Å"What is an American? † Crevecoeur states, â€Å"Here religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister and gratitude to God; can he refuse these? Essentially, this quote is saying how America does not demand of a certain religion, but giving thanks to your own God and minister is still important to show how thankful you are. Religion in America has always made an impact on citizens from the beginning. For example, in America, religion has helped mold and shape people’s lives incredibly. It helps people get together and share their faith, hopes, and dreams. Having so many different religions in the United States gives the freedom of sharing people’s beliefs and helping society understand the different benefits of each religion, making us so unique and independent. Race and religion contributes to America in many ways, remembering different struggles and strengths in each and every American themselves. Lastly, opportunities in America have been key to immigrants that are coming to America for new goals and hopes. Looking back on history, immigrants came from all different parts of the world trying to find a new life with new opportunities for jobs and freedom. In Langston Hughes’ poem â€Å"Let America be America Again,† Hughes tells of the land he’s always dreamed of. He states, â€Å"O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic reath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe† (14-18). Hughes is saying how America is the land he dreamed of, and the land he dreams of has opportunities that are real and life that is free. Knowing that Hughes is African American helps society understand more how he struggled, and now that African Americans are accepted as anyone else in the United States, our land is full of opportunities and equality is in the air we breathe. Everyone coming to America now can look forward to the hopes and dreams they will accomplish. In â€Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity† Friedman explains how people in poverty can still have success in the United States. Friedman says, â€Å"Poor shoeshine boys or other street urchins would rise, by dint of their ambition, talent, and fortitude, to wealth and fame. † Fundamentally, this quote is explaining how anyone can gain success in America as long as they have ambition and strive for their wealth. This shows how immigrants could actually make a living here and change their lives around for the better. Literally, boys who were at the lowest low could raise themselves and gain wealth and fame. A â€Å"rag to riches story,† says Friedman. Since America was announced a free country, immigrants have been coming to the United States in hopes for new opportunities and a start to a new life with a successful ending. Since the creation of America, many things have added up to create the character that America has accumulated over the past two hundred years. Though America’s Identity can be from a lot of things, due to American Lifestyles, America is shaped from individuality, race and religion, and opportunities. Looking through different chapters of American history, you can find these three things as a common interest in America’s past.