Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance

In 1985, Michael Porter published Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. In this book, he described how organizations can achieve competitive advantage in their industries. Porter's focus in this book was not on an overall competitive strategy, but on what organizations needed to do on a daily basis to achieve results. As Porter (3) stated, â€Å"My aim is to build a bridge between strategy and implementation. † To create the link between the overall strategy of a firm and how that strategy could be achieved, Porter referred to value. As Porter (3) stated, â€Å"competitive advantage grows fundamentally out of value a firm is able to create for its buyers that exceeds the firm's cost of creating it. † This focus on value led to the concept of the value chain, which refers to the internal processes that occur as the organization creates its product or service. Value chain management is not just a process that occurs within an organization. Instead, it is closely linked to the competitive environment. This means that value chain management takes into account the industry in which the organization operates. This is referred to as the industry value chain and describes how the industry overall adds value to the consumer. This is an important point because it means that value chain management does not just refer to the series of processes that occur within the organization. As an example, consider the case of Apple's Ipod. If creating value was only considered in the context of what happens within the organization, the focus might be purely on the manufacturing process. Apple might consider their value chain as a process where raw materials are converted to the product and where the product is distributed to the consumer. In terms of improving the value of their product, they might consider that saving on raw materials, decreasing production time, and improving distribution will help add value. The problem with this approach is that it does not identify the real value that consumers gain from the product. This real value is identified when the MP3 player industry is considered on a broader level. This broader view shows that value is added more by marketing than by manufacturing. Apple's value chain includes the major activities that instill value in the product. Marketing with the aim of gaining consumer support is one of the key ways to add value. It is this aspect that Apple competes against with the other organizations in the market. This illustrates that value chain management is a process of recognizing what activities add value to the organization and then focusing on these activities to gain competitive advantage. The aim is not to improve everything about the organization, but to improve the processes that will allow the organization to gain an advantage on the competition. Porter (39) also identified various generic factors that are part of an organization's value chain. These generic factors are: inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and service. Porter considered that these five areas add value to a firm. Porter (40) also identified several support factors. These support factors are: infrastructure of the organization, human resource management, technology, and procurement. Porter identified these generic factors as a general guideline for organizations, while noting that the industry's competitive factors determine what factors will comprise the value chain for a specific firm. For example, in the case of Apple's Ipod, sales and marketing would be a key factor and technology would also be a part of the value chain. In the case of an organization manufacturing and selling nails, sales and marketing is not likely to be a large part of the value chain. Instead, operations may be more important, with the aim being to manufacture the nails as cost effectively as possible so as to maximize profits. For any organization, value chain management is used to identify the key factors that add value in the industry and then to determine how to improve those key factors so as to become more competitive. Southwest Airlines is one organization that has successfully used value chain management to improve its performance. Southwest Airlines is recognized as a success in the airline industry not just because it is a successful company, but also because it made positive changes to the industry. It is generally considered as a pioneer. This success is linked, at least partially, to its use of value chain management. Pellet (53) describes Southwest Airlines as a company that found creative ways to make improvements, with these improvements especially related to reducing the downtime of aircraft, improving scheduling, and making maintenance more efficient. At the same time, Southwest Airlines needed to improve cost-effectiveness so it could offer a lower price to its customers, but still maximize profits. Southwest Airlines based its success on identifying the industry value chain. This included noting the key industry factors that determine success. With the key industry factors identified, Southwest Airlines was able to find creative ways of improving on these factors. One of the important points is that Southwest Airlines' strategy did not just involve copying what other airlines were doing. This was achieved because they were not comparing themselves to what others were doing. Instead, they were only focused on how they could improve. This allowed them to identify unique ways of doing things and this is how they managed to gain competitive advantage. Southwest Airlines' successes were enough to get them listed in Fortune magazine's â€Å"Top 100 Companies† list. In the magazine, it is noted that Southwest Airline won the Triple Crown award for Best Airline five times; a fact that shows their success is more than just financial (Moskowitz and Levering 148). Southwest Airline became the best in the industry. Their success shows how effective value chain management leads to competitive advantage. Finally, it is useful to consider how value chain management has changed since it was first introduced by Porter in 1985. One of the major changes is that computer software has become an important tool in the process. Computer software has been developed to identify problems and opportunities for improvement in the value chain. This is largely focused on the manufacturing process, but can also be applied to any process where efficiency is desired. Another significant trend is that the value chain is extended further, both upline and downline. For example, many organizations are considering the internal processes of their suppliers. The idea is that if the supplier improves their value chain, the organization that receives the output of the supplier also benefits. In addition, if the supplier can improve efficiency and reduce costs, the benefits can be passed on to the organization by lowering the price of raw materials. The same applies to considering upline organizations, such as distributors and retailers. This is creating an environment where organizations are demanding more from companies that provide them with any type of service. In turn, many companies are becoming less like suppliers and more like partners. This allows the organization to assist supplier companies, while also ensuring that they benefit from the improvements that suppliers make. This creates an environment where organizations are linked together by either formal or informal partnerships. In some cases, both organizations work together to determine how they can best assist each other. In other cases, organizations have contractual demands on their suppliers. In other cases, a formal partnership is in place. In all of these cases, the same trend is seen, with organizations recognizing that other companies are part of their value chain.

Extra Curricular Argumentative Essay

The first advantage of extra-curricular actively Is that It provides exercise. America Is the leading country in child obesity. If sports and other actively are taken away, the obesity rate will most likely go up. Also, exercise helps the brain function better. For example, If a kid Is stuck In a room studying for hours, he will not retain as much knowledge because the brain will be exhausted. Another advantage of extra- curricular activities Is the Increase In classically. The skill of being social Is very crucial In life. People's ability to become part of an organization or make friends sets them apart from other people.An example of when this comes into play is when applying for a job. Almost all jobs require a person to work well with someone else. Also, extra-curricular activities tend to provide motivation for the student. Due to the fact that kids will be doing other activities including school work, as a result, they will be motivated to take the challenge of learning many n ew subjects. A student also has to make a certain grade to stay in sports so this pushes him to work hard and make good grades. Although it is true that kids have less time on their hands for schoolwork; however, this teaches them how to get their priorities straight.When they are older, the kids will have a lot more to focus on at once, and if they do not learn this skill at a young age they may have a very hard time when they grow up. This is another advantage that kids in extra-curricular activities have on others. Some people even say that if there were less activities, kids will focus more on academics. However, some kids use sports and other things as excuses to not do well in school. If a child really wanted to be successful academically, they would not let anything get in their way. A kid's work ethic does not necessarily depend on how much extra time he as.Instead, the extra time could be negative in a way that they could do something In that time to get in trouble. All the se factors show that extra-curricular activities are a very good thing for students. Many valuable characteristics are given due to these activities. I do not think a school system can be successful by only providing an academic curriculum. Extra-curricular activities such as sports, give students exercise, teach them how to be sociable, provide motivation, and even keep them out of trouble. The most successful school curriculum most likely consists of extra- curricular activities.The first advantage of extra-curricular activities is that it provides exercise. America is the leading country in child obesity. If sports and other activities are taken away, the example, if a kid is stuck in a room studying for hours, he will not retain as much curricular activities is the increase in sociability. The skill of being social is very crucial in life. People's ability to become part of an organization or make friends sets applying for a Job. Almost all Jobs require a person to work well wit h someone else. In that time to get in trouble. All these factors show that extra-curricular activities are

Aristotle Essay Research Paper AristotleAristotle was a

Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle Aristotle was a Grecian philosopher, pedagogue, and scientist. He was one of the greatest and most influential minds in Western civilization. He familiarized himself with the full development of Greek thought predating him. In his ain Hagiographas, Aristotle considered, summarized, criticized, and farther developed all the rational tradition that he had inherited from his instructor, Plato. Aristotle was the first philosopher to analyse the procedure whereby certain propositions can be logically inferred to be true from the fact that certain other propositions are true. He believed that this processor logical illation was based on a signifier of statement he called the syllogism. In a syllogism, a proposition is argued or logically inferred to be true from the fact that two other propositions are true. Aristotle besides believed in a # 8220 ; Philosophy of nature # 8221 ; . In this he believed the most dramatic facet of nature was alteration. He even defined the doctrine of nature in his book # 8220 ; Physics # 8221 ; , as the survey of things that change. Aristotle argued that to understand alteration, a differentiation must be made between the signifier and affair of a thing. He is even the adult male given recognition for the thought of â€Å"matter† and â€Å"form† . Aristotle # 8217 ; s doctrine of nature includes psychological science and biological science. In # 8220 ; On the Soul # 8221 ; , he investigated the assorted map of the psyche and the relationship between the psyche and the organic structure. Aristotle was the universe # 8217 ; s first great life scientist. He gathered huge sums of information about the assortment, construction, and behaviour of animate beings and workss. Aristotle died in 400 BC go forthing many great plants and thoughts behind him. From about 500 Ad to 1100 AD cognition of Aristotle # 8217 ; s doctrine was about wholly lost in the West. During this period, it was preserved by Arabic and Syrian bookmans who reintroduced it to the Christian civilization of Western Europe in the 1100 # 8217 ; s and 1200 # 8217 ; s. Aristotle enjoyed enormous prestigiousness during this clip. To some of the taking Christian and Arabic bookmans of the Middle Ages, Aristotle writings seemed to incorporate the sum sum of human cognition. Aristotle # 8217 ; s authorization has declined since the Middle Ages, but many philosophers of the modern period owe much to him. The extent of Aristotle # 8217 ; s influence is hard to judge, because many of his thoughts have been absorbed into the linguistic communication of scientific discipline and doctrine.

Centerofthequadrangleduewestof UphamHall ontheMiamiUniversityCampus Essay

Centerofthequadrangleduewestof UphamHall ontheMiamiUniversityCampus - Essay Example The sun rises in the morning and spreads its rays on all objects across the globe; the sculpture is no exception. The sky was clear blue and humidity was at its lowest. The temperature was just beginning to rise and clouds that had heavily hanged over my head ran away to create a path for the sun. With the help of the sunlight, every single image seems clear and the vicinity of the sculpture is quite detailed. One advantage with the day-light is that every facet of the sculpture can be vividly observed. The bracketing and columns stand very firm to support the compact oval roof-like capital (Cothren, 451). The central-plan building is crystal-clear and I could easily see and appreciate the outstanding work of the burin used by this legendary sculptor. In the chilly evening, the sculpture seemed to have had absorbed some rays from the sun. And now the time came to spit the rays, like a fire dragon. I could not stop dreaming as watched the sculpture reflect a few rays of the sunset. I stood from a close range and watched the beautiful colonnade majestically rise from the very bold and energetic dado (Brookes, 37). A first, I imagined a dwarf on a stand-still; any coward man would run away as he comes to face with the statue. However, the dimness of the evening denied me the sight of the beautiful cameo and chamfer of the capital. In as much as the sculpture was quite prominent in the evening, a few details of it could not be observed. The sculpture is located a stone-throw away from the main administration block of the institution. It borders the pavement that connects a number of buildings within the institution. Many trees have gathered around the earthwork to behold its unending beauty. Being by a path, it was easy to locate. From far, however, one could not easily spot it since it is surrounded by a building and some trees. The management of the institution may have strategically placed it here so as to

Political Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Political Ethics - Essay Example Many political initiatives include national health care, public education reform, the so-called digital information superhighway, affirmative action, disposal of toxic and nuclear wastes, abortion, and immigration. In each instance, the breadth of membership in a particular "we" is at issue. In some of those instances, belonging to a "we" in the first place is at issue (Bernstein, 2002). The duty and responsibility of a political leader is to change life of ordinary people and improve social institutions. In each instance, significant changes loom in the lives of those who belong to a "we." In each instance, competing proposals for transforming an institution-such as health care in the United States-are central features of the debate. n each of these contemporary cases, members of a particular "we" seek ways to protect what is important to them, and they frame the prospects for particular kinds of institutional change in such terms. Even if political leaders drop out their promises it should not considered as ethical behavior. The opportunity to retain the services in any new national system is a case in point about a politics of inclusion tied up in a politics of institutional change (Nader and Krimsky 2004). Members of the political media expose and shame the politics by singing the praises of political persons who make social contributions of their own choosing.

I haven't picked a topic as yet but I would like it to be something Thesis

I haven't picked a topic as yet but I would like it to be something about education in adulthood - Thesis Example The rationale for undertaking this research was the researchers expectations to make recommendations to the educational institutes about using different teaching styles and methods while teaching the adult learners. The current research was undertaken using an interview method where 5 teachers from pre-adult school and teaching children between the ages of 4-11 years, and another 5 teachers from an adult learning center who taught in higher educational institute years were selected. These respondents were selected on the basis of convenience sampling as both the institutes were easily approachable to the researcher. Further, the researcher himself had taught at the pre-adult school earlier and was currently teaching at the higher educational institute, and as such, it was easier for him to interact with the faculty and get their responses. The research findings revealed that the teachers were indeed making use of some different teaching methods. For example, teachers of adult learners made use of discussion and case study methods in addition to the lecture and question answer methods. In the case of children, the most reported method of teaching was lecture, question and answer, and periodical assessment. The research findings indicate that there is further scope for the teachers to make use of more teaching methods in order to facilitate better learning, For example, there are several methods like the case story method, the course portfolio method, interactive multi-media, critical thinking and demonstration and role playing methods, which have been reported to bring a better understanding of the subject material for the adult students. The research revealed that the teachers were aware of the different motivations and approaches of their adult and children learners and tried to modulate their teaching styles and behaviors in the

Policy memo Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Policy memo - Assignment Example tain Conversation Area Act is bill which seeks to create conversation to the mountain national conservation Area surrounding Lake Mendocino, Yolo Counties and Solano in the area of California. Core visitations of this act are target of scenic, ecological, recreation, wildlife, natural, education and scientific resources. This act will seek to create conservation to the jurisdiction by ensuring government and local responsibilities are adhered to. The act is comprehensive to cover issues related to environmental cleanup, public safety, and a comprehensive weed management strategy. The act is significant to ensure it initiate a management plan by issuance of target permits. In this light, the act will focus on the core advantages on a comprehensive environmental management strategy. This act is crucial since it will target protection of encroached areas by ensuring that residents in those particular have proper permits to conduct certain environmental conscious activities. The US congress should pass the bill since it seeks to, boost local economies, and develop methods of working landscape and economic viability of Native American groups residing in those areas. Thirdly, promote and enhance recreation and conservation areas. In all cases, the bill is vital to since it will seek to request public responsibility in conserving the environmental. However, while deciding to pass the bill, the congress should consider the question of impartiality of the process stipulated by the bill. This paper has attempted to establish why the congress should pass the Berryessa Snow Mountains Conversation Area. The paper has cited better environmental advantages as the leading advantages in considering whether to pass the bill. In any case, environmental consciousness should topple over