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

Law and Behavior - Essay Example The emphasis is on law, with the psychologists being used by the lawyers to enhance their operations. For instance if it is claimed that the person who has been accused is mentally unstable, the psychologist will be asked to give his expert opinion on this. He or she will have to carry out an analysis including psychological tests so as to come up with a conclusion on the person's mental state. A criminal lawyer can use the theories of psychology so as to enhance his or her trial strategy (Ogloff and Schuller 1998). The main focus is on how the legal system can prepare and adapt to the inclusion of psychologists in the law and in the legal system. The psychologists should also find ways of changing their work so as to meet the needs and requirements of the legal system. Forensic psychologists have used it for a long period of time in the United States and it is only recently that the lawyers acknowledged their relevance in the execution of justice (Kapardis 2003). Psychology and law interrelate in many ways and can benefit each other. Psychology can give better understanding of the behavior of criminals and sometimes it can show how a person can be rehabilitated. Psychologists may help the criminal lawyers because they assist in the selection of people who are suitable for acting as the jury. They are also a part of the analysis and presentation of evidence and arguments brought to the courts. Such matters like criminal law, procedures, insanity defense, decreased capacity, competency for trial relies a lot on the contributions of a qualified psychologist. The execution of law has been improved largely by the work of psychologists (Sherman & Hoffman 2007). Law and Psychology are two fields that have various contrasting fundamentals. According to Ogloff and Schuller, law is stare deices, while psychology is based on creativity. In law there are past cases and precedents, which are used as a foundation for the development of the legal arguments. The judges even make the rulings according to the legal precedents that were made years before. In contrast, the model adopted in psychology is one of innovation and creativity. Thus psychologists are encouraged to use new ways and ideas in their research and in dealing with their patients (Ogloff and Schuller 1998). While law is hierarchical, psychology is empirical. The decisions in the legal system are hierarchical and authoritative. The lower courts are constrained by the rulings of the higher courts. On the other hand, psychology is the accumulation of consistent and supporting data. The data derived is used to confirm whether a claim or position is valid or not. It is not based on an authoritative statement. (Ogloff and Schuller 1998) The law is reliant on the adversarial methods but psychology is dependant on experimental techniques. To reach the truth, in law, conflicting viewpoints are presented with each side putting forward its best case. Prejudice and egotism are intrinsic part of law and they are both allowable and encouraged as the best procedures. Psychologists arrive at the truth by trying to understand a certain incident through the use of data gathering techniques. They try to reduce the bias and

Economics of Renewable Resources Essay Example for Free

Economics of Renewable Resources Essay Answer any THREE questions. Do not attempt to answer more than three questions. The three questions that you answer will be given equal weight. 1.(a)  Consider now a newly planted stand of trees. What decision rule should be employed for determining the â€Å"optimal† investment in the trees – the optimal rotation – given that the stand of trees is being managed on a Single Rotation basis? Explain. (b) Now suppose that the stand was, instead, to be managed on a Multiple Rotation basis, rather than a Single Rotation basis. What impact would managing the stand on a Multiple Rotation, as opposed to a Single Rotation, basis have upon the optimal rotation period? Would it be correct to say that the opportunity to use the forest land over and over again for growing trees, under Multiple Rotation, would lead to the rotation period being longer than it would be under a Single Rotation basis? Explain fully. (c) It has been argued that forest policies in most Canadian provinces have as their long term goal fully regulated normal forests. Explain, with the aid of a simple example, what is meant by the term normal forest, as opposed to a single stand of trees. What relevance, if any, does the idea of a normal forest have to the concept of Maximum Sustained Yield as applied to forestry? Explain. 2.  The economics of renewable natural resources has, in all of its sub-branches, a common theoretical core. The core consists of the closely linked theory of capital and the theory of investment.  You have studied the economics of fishery management and foresty management. In what sense, if any, can fishery resources and forestry resources he regarded a capital assets from the point of view of society? With the aid of examples, discuss the opportunities, which society has to â€Å"invest† both positively and negatively, in such resources. What basic rules do the theories of capital and investment suggest that society should follow in making such investment decisions? In light of these rules, define what would an economist understand by the term â€Å"overexploitation† of a specific renewable resource. Under what circumstances would you expect â€Å"overexploitation† given set of renewable resources to be of a chronic problem? Explain. 3. (a)  The static economic model of the fishery studied by you, the Gordon-Schaefer model, predicts that optimal economic management of a fishery resource would always lead to the fishery resource being stabilized above the MSY level. The dynamic, capital theoretic, economic model, also studied by you, gives us no such assurance. On the contrary, the dynamic economic model predicts that optimal economic management of the fishery could easily lead to the fishery resource being stabilized below the MSY level. How can such an apparent contradiction be explained? Discuss. 1 (b) The static Gordon-Schaefer economic model of the fishery also predicts that,  under Pure Open Access, while there will be overexploitation of the fishery resource there will be no danger of the fishery resource being driven to extinction. Yet there are several examples from the real world of fishery resources being driven to at least near extinction. Recall the examples of Norwegian Spring Spawing Herring and the Bering Sea Donought Hole pollock resource. How can you explain the difference between the Gordon-Schaefer model prediction and what we observe in the real world? Discuss fully. 4.  Under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states, such as Canada, have been given the right to establish 370km Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Due to the mobility of most capture fishery resources, most coastal states establishing EEZs find that some of the fishery resources in their EEZs cross the EEZ boundary into neighbouring EEZs, or into the adjacent high seas. The coastal states are thus faced with a â€Å"shared† fish stock management problem. Consider now two coastal states, A and B, that share a transboundary fish stock, which does not extend into the adjacent high seas. On what grounds can it be argued that, if A and B refuse to cooperate in managing the transboundary fish stock, both A and B will be driven to adopt fishery exploitation strategies that they will know to be harmful? Suppose that A and B agree to cooperate in the management of the transboundary fish stock. A and B are identical in every respect, except that A has a lower social rate of discount than does B. Could this difference in social rates of discount lead to A and B differing in terms of their management goals for the transboundary fish stock? If so, how? If A and B do have difference resource management goals, does the economic theory of shared fish stock management studied by you suggest that it will be impossible for A and B to establish a successful cooperative fisheries management arrangement? Explain. 5.  Limited Entry Type I fisheries management programs, involving limited entry  to the fishery combined with Olympics style TACs, have more often than not produced disappointing results. This has led to the adoption of Limited Entry Type II programs in which TACs and limited entry to the fishery are combined with harvesting rights schemes, the most common of which in Canada consists of ITQs. Discuss the nature of ITQ schemes, such as those found in B.C., and in so doing explain why economists prefer ITQ schemes in which the individual quotas are: (i) long term (in fact, if not in law); (ii) expressed as percentages of the TAC, as well as being transferable. Would it be correct to say that ITQ schemes are feasible only in single species fisheries, or can they be used in multiple species fisheries as well? Explain. Everyone agrees that there are some fisheries, particularly in developing fishing states, where it is not feasible to implement ITQ schemes. Do alternative harvesting rights schemes exist that might be used in such fisheries? If so, describe briefly one such alternative harvesting rights scheme.

Selfish And Unselfish Actions As Personal Interest Philosophy Essay

Selfish And Unselfish Actions As Personal Interest Philosophy Essay Selfishness is an act of being self-centered and egotistical. It is the ability of a person to do his or her own things without helping others or meeting the needs of other people, they only concentrate in self-satisfaction. Selfishness also shows satisfaction being a goal of an act. Altruistic on the other hand is the state of being selfless, unselfish, humane and philanthropic. It is where an individual views satisfaction as a feature of accomplishing a certain goal and how he or she enjoys helping others. It is the ability of an individual to set down strategies of meeting the needs of other people and he or she receives enjoyment from doing it and accomplishing their goal. The ultimate aim of this paper is to examine the arguments by various individuals that gives a clear implications of the distinction between selfishness and altruistic (Batson Shaw, 1991). To begin with, it is important to view both selfish and unselfish actions as a personal interest where the individuals does what they merely intended to do especially when the action is done voluntarily (Rachels, 2003). Rachels was greatly against the arguments that people never volunteers to do anything except what they only wish to do. This is because most people do actions they do not wish to do in order to achieve a certain goal, which a person needs to meet (Kurt, 1990). In addition, there are some actions, which people may wish not to do but are forced to do them because they fell their selves under an obligation to them. For example, paying the fees of your child in school or institution is just an obligation but most people do not love it because it is too expensive. This means that individuals usually act from a single motive known as self-love and this is greatly supported by the ethical egoism, which suggests people should only act from self-love. However, note that every person is selfish because he or she does what he or she wishes to do. For instance one individual might want to help a colleague become successful and achieve their goals, while a different individual trys to sabotage or betray them, both do what they wish and they are both selfish. Therefore, it is the objective of an individual that brings about an act of selfishness. If several of a persons objectives is to make them happy then they are selfish. If a person wants to help others, the person is kind, when he or she wishes to cause harm to them, then the person is malicious. It is the deform view of human nature where both ethical and psychological egoism rest. For example, I allow my sister to stay in my spare bedroom while she is in town visiting, this is a case of kindness. It is also clear that because the altruistic actions normally produces self-satisfaction in the individual and because the same satisfaction sense is a good conscious state, it is then that the action is actually intended to accomplish a pleasant state of consciousness, other than bringing about the good for others. For example, when a member of government establishes a certain project in his area before election, he only accomplishes a state of consciousness to make people happy but in real sense, he is self-centered in that he aims to win peoples favor during the elections. Thus, the action is seen as unselfish but only at a superficial analysis level. Even though many actions by individuals are accelerated by whole or part of self-interest. Thus, most actions done by individuals either to themselves or to others are because of self-interest which is just accentually selfishness and self-satisfaction. There are some instances of common and well-known altruistic actions like self-sacrifice and gratuitous help and this is what makes the psychological egoism seem to be false. For example, what intention can a mother have in sight after perseveringly attending to her sick child? After a long struggle the child languishes and eventually dies from their injuries, by the death of the child, what goal does the anguishing mother achieve after the long attendance to dying child? Therefore, it is obviously wrong and very incorrect to describe such an object or a goal of that mother as self-interest or selfishness. The psychological egoists however, commented on the same by saying that such kind of help on others is strongly motivated by some sort of self-interest like the reciprocation expectation, the non-sensory satisfaction, and the desire to gain reputation or respect or by the reward expectation in a presumed afterlife (Rachels, 2003). The action of helping is actually very active in su ch strong selfish goals. This is what brings about altruistic acts which people do though most of them do not do it whole-heartedly. Psychological hedonism The psychological hedonism on the other hand suggests that the main aim of the motive of egoism it to create better pleasure feelings and preventing or avoiding bad feelings of pain (Kurt, 1990). For example, a student will always be seen obeying the school rules but in real sense, there are certain rules they wishes to break as they feel they do not believe or respect them but to avoid punishment, they abide by them. There are however, other non-limited forms of psychological egoism let the main aim of an individual to encompass things like preventing punishment from an individual or other things like shame or guilt and obtaining presents such as self-worth, pride, reciprocal beneficial action. This means that some people will do the good deeds or try to portray altruistic attitude that they do not actually have. They normally do it in order to be praised and feel proud of themselves but in real sense, they are actually selfish. It is only that they tend to show satisfaction as a go al of an act. It is difficult to explain the theory of universal positivity even though people accept it because for instance, taking an action like a soldier jumping on a grenade with the main aim of saving his colleagues all in the name of sacrifice (Batson Shaw, 1991). Such an incident does have time for the person to experience positivity towards the action of an individual. However, the psychological egoist may argue out that the soldier encounters moral positivity in when he makes sure that he is sacrificing his life to ensure the comrades are safe and survive or else he is avoiding the negativity connected with the thought of all of his colleagues dying. Psychological egoists also argue out that while some actions may not clearly portray social or physical positivity, nor preventing negativity, the initial considerations or reactionary mental expectation is the major issue. When a dog is taught how to sit on the first occasion, it is given a biscuit. This happens for several times until it learns how to sit without being given the biscuit. The egoists hence claim that such actions that do not require or result to direct positivity or reward are very different from the dogs actions (Kurt, 1990). In this case sitting after being asked to or commanded will have now become a habitual force and ending such habits is usually very difficult and may lead to mental discomfort. This may apply to morality as well as the theory applied to appear ineffective positive actions. This has lead to accusation of the psychological egoism being circular. If a person performs an act freely without being forced to acquire personal enjoyment from an act, for that reason; therefore majority of people carry out these actions that make them feel some type of enjoyment. This is the case in altruistic acts where people perform them while getting enjoyment from them and therefore, they are egoistic. The argument is highly circular because such an argument has its conclusion similar to its hypothesis assuming that people only perform acts that give them personal enjoyment (Rachels, 2003). This is the objection that came up with Joseph Butler though it was a modification of Hazlitt and Macaulays works. However, Joel Feinberg expounded the idea in his Psychological Egoism paper of 1958 where he encompassed the following cross-examination. All men desire only satisfaction. Satisfaction of what? Satisfaction of their desires. Their desires for what? Their desires for satisfact ion. Satisfaction of what? Their desires? For what? For satisfaction. Therefore, it is evident enough that the altruistic act is circular.

America: Freedom And Violence Essay -- essays research papers

America: Freedom and Violence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Imagine the emotionless testimony of a violent youngster, who may not realize he is fingering an accomplice as he quickly excuses his violent act,  ¡Ã‚ §Oh I don ¡Ã‚ ¦t know. I just saw it on TV. ¡Ã‚ ¨ Countless acts of senseless violence in the past few decades have led our society to believe that although freedom of speech is a trait that separates America from many other countries, it has also made us more brutal. Media outlets such as television, movies, and music have had a major impact on our nation. The outlets can allow us to be creative, make money, and have fun. The downside is when it leads to homicide, suicide, and other serious crimes. The best example of seeing the influence of violence is the exact copy cat crimes that are played out day after day. Media also tends to guide children that may seem insecure, confounded, or simply daunted by what they see on the television. This cause creates a variety of effects, mostly leading to violence or de sensitization to the events that occur around them. To understand how violence can be seen through media look to a common feeling when people listen to a new song that they start liking. It   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   can be described as an almost euphoric high. People that share this common feeling go to concerts where it seems like anything is fun and exciting. Often with so much intense hysteria people can feel pushy and violent as they try to get into the music. As a result concerts such as the 1999 Woodstock can end in violence. Events like this and other media extensions are uncontrollable because people have the right to be able to say what they want to say and express what they feel with little to no intervention. It is the first amendment that allows us to have the rights of freedom in our country. Freedom of speech has allowed media to be one link to the chain of violence in our nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The United States was founded on the principle that the people and the government had the right to freedom of speech. The words  ¡Ã‚ §It ¡Ã‚ ¦s a free country! ¡Ã‚ ¨ are four of the most important words to America. The term is used generally because we can not get away with everything in the United States. The rights we do have are our most cherished personal freedoms. The formation of our country began with the idea that freedom above all was ... ...crease in violence correlates with the increase of television in our country. Violence can haunt the minds of many children and adolescents while they are still growing and learning to function. A time like this can make all outside events become more sensitive to a child ¡Ã‚ ¦s mind. Media can help give ideas or promote certain acts, especially if it seems like the viewer is making a connection with the role model that makes these actions. For children that live in abusive homes or have lived a psychologically damaging life, media is something they may try to connect with when things in the viewer ¡Ã‚ ¦s life do not seem to be going well. Not only can it create more violence but also it makes people who live here become more fearful of the world around them. Media has learned to focus on the exaggerations and extremities in our country so that one who views this could see his environment as a fearful enigma. The identity of America can be unclear. The founding of the first a mendment has made our country full of violence. What use to be a strengthening trait that made America attractive, has now turned into violent turmoil that makes many more people filled with fear instead of freedom.

Literature, Business, and Social Change

Literature offers wide variety of genre depending on the context and expression. It gives fictional and non-fictional attack to its audience that magnifies the society. We use literature to inform the public in whatever objective and intention it may be. According to some literature scholars and professors, literature is the mirror of the society. It gives voice to those who are voiceless, it gives life to the lifeless, and it gives hope to the hopeless. Literature is mostly about the goodness of the society, of the earth.However, because literature is the mirror of the society, some writer attempted to write or describe the flaws of life and weaknesses of humanity to justify both sides of mortal and immortal life. Different kinds of literature vary from different shapes and sizes. All aspects of living are literature – any kind of communication is literature, graffiti is literature, gossip is literature, writing is literature. Therefore, â€Å"almost† everything is par t of literature. Different societal factors used literature to broaden the knowledge of public towards their institution.Other reason is that using literature can be a form of social change. It may not manifest today, there is hope that it will change the future negative situation and strengthen the positive situation of the institutions. Because of the wide variety of literature, different bodies of society used literature and its branches to acknowledge their importance and virtues for the reason that literature brings life to past, present, and future – business culture is one of those. Several books and articles have been written on the intersection between literature and business and/or business ethics.Still, it is one thing to claim that literature can contribute to our understanding of business conduct, but yet another to claim that literature can contribute to the related goal of improving moral conduct in business. (Michaelson, 2005) Past and Present Situation Busine ss through Literature Like any other institutions, the world of business also uses literature to attract customers. The business culture also has its business literature that is used to inform their customers about their products and service. Some of the business literatures are brochures and newsletters.However, questions may be asked about the connection of core literature to the culture of business. Does literature show the history of business? There are different kinds of literature about business like the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, The Pit by Norris Frank, Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy, and the most familiar literature about business is the Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The Death of a Salesman is a play in 1949 that described the life of having â€Å"American Dream†. The story of this play substantiates the life of being successful in the world of business along with different conflicts and dilemmas.The main character’s perception towa rds his dream triggers his life to an end. It implies that there is no problem in believing and reaching your goals but you must take the course of problems and pains. In the case of the main character, he takes the course of success in a complex situation that put his life into the grave. This kind of literature in the past show that business will always be business, some win while some lose. However, does this kind of attack in creating a story about business is still necessary in this present times?Many fictional short stories depict business culture and tradition in different aspects. Fables about greed and envy also manifests in the business culture. One example of fable on business is, â€Å"The Dog and The Bone†. A dog held a juicy bone in his jaws as he crossed a bridge over a brook. When he looked down into the water, he saw another dog below with what appeared to be a bigger juicier bone. He jumped into the brook to snatch the bigger bone, letting go his own bone, H e quickly learned of course that the bigger bone was just a reflection, and so he ended up with nothing. (Phillips, n.d. ) This example shows that greed, envy, selfishness, and being self-centered still exist from the past until today. Even if it does not deliberate or used human to describe the situation, it insists that the actions of the dog can be obtained by human in their workplace. However, literature helps us define the changes of business from the past, the present, and the future. It can be seen through the details and collaborations of different stories and essays about business. Past writings about business stated the dream and aim of a person or group of people in the world of business.Present writings show the situation, life, and dilemmas in the workplace. Future writings will soon cover the examples of great businesspersons who monopolized and conquered the business world. One instrumental function of literature is to imitate life, thereby expanding our vision beyond our parochial interests; to see literature merely as a didactic instrument to serve business interests misses the point that literature should expand understanding, our sense of what in addition to business is interesting and valuable.(Michaelson, 359) Business somehow depends on the factor of literature because here is where the culture of business relies – its history, flaws, weaknesses, and strength that might help to overcome the future circumstances. That is why even companies need a story to survive. Genre Specificities in Literature of Business As according to the examples above, genres vary on the context of each scenario or case in the workplace. There are sites like businessballs.com who share their stories, fables, and analogies on business using both human and non-human to be their characters in order to both entertain and acknowledge the potentials and characteristics of the employees as well as the owners when it comes to their career. According to one of the a rticles of New York Times entitled â€Å"The Media Business: Revenge of the Underlings Becomes a Literary Genre†, different forms of literary genres was used in different forms of writings about business.However, the best literary genre that suits the culture of business is realistic fiction as what the play â€Å"The Death of Salesman† implies because through this kind of genre, people can relate to the literary piece and could acquire those lessons to their workplace. Through this, social change within the workplace will be more necessary and trivial for the reason that there are people became dependent towards literature especially during these modern times where a wide variety of literature are available in the market, which brings sociological impact not only to the doer but also to the people around him or her.Literature as a Form of Change in Business Culture In every form of reading, it is the audiences’ responsibility to take action towards what they re ad whether it is for the better of their individuality or not. In business culture, literary pieces played a big role to help business perceive the history, the present and the future of their institution. However, because literature is the mirror of the society and it caters a wide range of genres and context, it should be said that not only good things are shown while negativities of this societal body was hidden.Literature is transparent in everyway; it gives what the public needs to know in order to be informed as one of the purpose of literature. Business literatures are often used to negotiate and close the deals between companies and clients. In this aspect, literature did a great job in participating to the business culture as seeking information and justifications on its products and services. Through this, changes in the business world from its employees up to its owners will manifests in a positive way wherein they could provide much services and accurate details to their customers.Literature and Business Audience When business leaders or even employers and employees read the story of â€Å"The Trench-Digger†, they would realize that despite of circumstances and struggle, a person would do all things just to get a job. Most of the time, we put ourselves in the shoes of other people especially when we are reading a story or watching a movie. When the story ended as what we expect, we will mold ourselves according to the story and will soon act as the main character in order to survive the circumstances that are related to the tale.Through these manifestations, change will occur based on the result of interpretation and observation of the situation of the text. For example, when you read the â€Å"The Trench-Digger†, you will realize that in every work or job, a person should be worth it in a way that he or she must have his or her capabilities from his or her previous jobs. Because experience is one of the most important when finding a job, even a hard task will be done if the person is willing to learn and have an optimistic point of view towards success.As the reader took his of herself to the story, he or she also made a decision for change. Once he or she believed in a certain narrative or writings, it means that he or she is willing to do some actions in his or her workplace. However, it is hard to make a change alone, that is why people who read a story, essay, or anything about change and optimism, they will make their friends or officemates to be enlightened by reading the same text. In this case, change will come from a group of individuals who wanted clarity and sensibility to their workplace.Literature and the Main Purpose of Business We all know that business is a business. It was established to have profit. The main purpose of business is to motivate its people to have income in a way of establishing different strategies and ideas. These issues are already accepted by the society – it cannot be changed. Meanwhile, literature is an implication of transformation. Therefore, these issues of business opposed the essence of literature. We all know that the main purpose of literature is to inform the public about the situation in the society, it also gives data and evidence of history.In this case, literature also implicates negativities and affirmative construction towards the bodies of society. Business’s main purpose was being attacked by literature if it implies teachings that are below the belt like envy, greed, and self-centered perspectives just because they want to earn profit. Literature understands the goal of business as it is but the people or actions behind this body could not be hidden from the mirror of the society. Aside from this, change will be depending on the readers alone because literature held its stand in whatever struggle it may be.Literature, Business, and Social Change Each author has their own perspective on what they write. They also deal wit h the problems of their writings as it conquers the visions of its audience. In the case of business culture, author used ideas that are relevant to the issue that will give information to the public on its essence, importance, as well as its weaknesses. Through this, the desire of the author to change the social environment of the business audience will still depend on its attack and impact to the readers.Authors lay their stand and evidences towards the issues; it is the responsibility of the readers to take the solution as a threat or enlightenment. This paper tells from the beginning up to its end that literature is a way of informing and applying its perspectives to its audience. It brings great social change in business culture because business relies on the ideas and creativity of literature in order to build relationship between the company and its clients. Literature teaches its business audience to deal with the sociological standards of life.It brings sociological impact if the reader will make its life as what the text stated but literature will be senseless if the reader could not do some necessary changes to its workplace because she is afraid to do it or treat literature as insignificant fictional entity of the society. As a whole, literature and business are interrelated factors that mould the society in different level or perspective. We assumed that business is one of the biggest factor to maintain our economic growth, and from this paper, we knew that literature contributed to its evolution and development.In this case, business would be paralyzed in some aspects of expansion without the help of literature. Aside from this, social change in workplace were introduced because of literature as it reveals the situation, cases, and issues of business culture from the past, present, until the future. Therefore, it can be said that business, literature, and social change are interconnected that have certain process of attachment to conduct greater sense of knowledge and responsibility not only in the business culture but also in society as well.References Business Literature. (n. d. ). Encyclopedia of Small Business. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from Answers. com Web site: http://www. answers. com/topic/business-literature Chapman, Allan. (1995). Stories and analogies: Illustrations and analogies for motivation, inspiration, learning and training. Businessballs. com. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from http://www. businessballs. com/stories. htm#dog_and_the_bone_story Columbo, R. (n. d. ).The trench-digger story (initiative, self-development, making things happen, career advancement, how to get a job requiring experience when you have none). Businessballs. com. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from http://www. businessballs. com/stories. htm#dog_and_the_bone_story Michaelson, C. (2005). Dealing with Swindlers and Devils: Literature and Business thics. Journal of Business Ethics. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from http://www. sprin gerlink. com/content/x1041j786u456g18/ Miller, A. (1976).Death of Salesman. Penguin Paperbacks Philips, J. (n. d. ) The dog and the bone story (be content with what you have, greed and envy seldom pay). Businessballs. com. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from http://www. businessballs. com/stories. htm#dog_and_the_bone_story Stanley, A. (2002). The Media Business: Revenge of the Underlings Becomes a Literary Genre. New York Times. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from http://query. nytimes. com/gst/fullpage. html? res=9504E6DF163CF931A25755C0A9649C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2

Exploring duality in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay

When Stevenson wrote the novella ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ he seemed to have been influenced by various ideas. The first goes all the way back to an ancient Greek philosopher ‘Plato’. His theory of dualism was imaged as two horses clashing with one another. He believed that every human being was a charioteer trying to keep them balanced and in control. One horse being black representing the animal demonic side; this is the side being harder to control and contains instinctive drives. This expresses the dark side. Stevenson took this concept to another level and gave off the impression that in his novella the dark horse had been liberated taking over the white horse. The white horse portrayed intelligence, moral senses, and the angelic side of mankind. This side had less energy but responded to all the commands exactly. Jekyll evidently being a scientist had more characteristics of the higher horse (white), but every one has a demonic side it is natural to have a bit of dark side to them. Hyde stood by the dark horse he was all defective and didn’t take any consequences for his actions. Hyde’s charter was vey monstrous and beastly. This takes me onto the idea of Charles Darwin; his concept to duality was the idea of there being a ‘beast in a man’. He believed that mankind originated from apes. He also believed that there was two parts to human nature. Stevenson took this to an extreme when he introduced the character ‘Hyde’. Although there isn’t an exact description of Hyde’s appearance, Enfield did say in the first chapter â€Å"He is not easy to describe, there is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable†, â€Å"and he must be deformed somewhere†. This quote is the best to show the beastliness of Hyde. His actions also are not very human like a good example of this is when he tramples over a little girl. Stevenson adapts Darwin’s idea to his novella. The third and final influence was the Victorian society at the time. In this society men were forced to ‘hide’ their secrets from their public lives. There was a lot of hypocrisy in the Victorian times. People said one thing and did the other. Stevenson takes this idea; this influence is proved in the first chapter when Enfield and Mr Utterson talk about ‘Hyde’. â€Å"No sir I had a delicacy; was the reply ‘I feel very strongly about putting questions; it partakes too much of the style of the day of judgement. You start a question, and it’s like starting a stone, you sit quietly on top of the hill; and away the stone goes, starting other;† â€Å"and the family have to change their name. No sir, I make it a rule of mine: the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask. This is stating the fact that people in the Victorian times stayed out of each other business as they didn’t want people to ask about their personal lives. Men in those times got away with almost anything in Hyde’s case he got away with murder. People kept them selves to their selves, but they felt it was right to ask about other people. This shows dualism in a way that people were two faced as they kept secrets form each other. Before Jekyll become a scientist he was a very happy man that loved life and lived it to the fullest. Jekyll was born with everything given to him, he wanted to enjoy life but also wanted to have a status in the public eye; he wanted both things. This explains the duality of life. Jekyll says in one of the chapters ‘in concealed in on my own pleasures’ this means that his pleasure and desires were kept to him self. In order to achieve in life, he felt that he had to hide his faults from the world. The first information we are given about Dr Jekyll is form his old friend Dr Lanyon; he mentions the reason why they do not see much of each other. â€Å"Jekyll became too fanciful for me†. And that Dr Jekyll was interested in â€Å"such unscientific balderdash† This partly explains Jekyll personality as these comments would make the reader curious to know what Dr. Jekyll is up to. Later in the novella Jekyll makes his first appearance, he is described to be a ‘large, well made, smooth-faced man of fifty†¦but every mark of capacity and kindness†. To the reader he appears to be a kind man who you would not expect to do anything wrong. This is a sign of dualism in a way that Jekyll is given a false upfront of what he is really like. Jekyll also describes his personality as a â€Å"gaiety of disposition† Stevenson deliberately made this quote vague, but it instantly shows the slyness in Dr Jekyll does not want to tell anyone about his personality or life and exactly the things he got up to. This was because in the Victorian times you couldn’t talk about ‘prostitutes’ this was classed as completely wrong, you would be discarded from the society. Jekyll wanted to explore the dualism in a man and so he did; split his personality into good and evil. This is why he came up with the potion. When Jekyll first take the potion he describes his feelings in ‘The strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ Jekyll says at first ‘The most racking pangs succeeded’ he was in great pain, but then rapidly the feelings changed to the ‘incredibly sweet’ † I felt younger, lighter, happier in the body† already he experiences freedom. Jekyll was able to see a new side to the world, the evil side! He explains that these feelings ‘delighted him like wine’. Moreover, Jekyll desire from early life is to separate the two selves that are apparent but equally present. Jekyll learns how to free Hyde. But did try to control Hyde coming out, when Jekyll tries to cage Hyde for good, when he tried this Hyde didn’t come out for a long time, but Hyde was itching to come out, in the end Hyde burst out stronger than ever and becomes the more dominant one. Hyde was the powerful one while Jekyll loses the control he could maintain when he alone had actions. Jekyll becomes addicted to Hyde there for more dosages were needed. Eventually it is clear that Dr Jekyll is no longer in conduct of the transformation. In Henry Jekyll full statement of the case he says ‘I had not wakened where I seemed to be but in the little room in Soho where I was accustomed to sleep in the body of Edward Hyde’ Jekyll says he wasn’t in control anymore. A proof of this is when he says â€Å"yes I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde† Dr Jekyll is more accepted into the society as being a scientist, people look up to him and respects him. In Jekyll full statement of the case he says â€Å"I found it hard to reconcile with my imperious desire to carry my head high, and wear a more than commonly grave countenance before the public†. This is telling us that Jekyll is giving off the impression that he is good at his profession almost being bigheaded. Hyde is the complete opposite his actions do not have consequences; Hyde’s behaviour is very ape like, just like his appearance (this goes back to Darwin’s theory.)The other characters cannot describe his outside shell as it is too hideous to describe. Hyde’s character is extremely cruel and evil. For example when he just tramples over the child in the first chapter, this shows the lack of respect for others. It also shows he is amoral. Stevenson used this marked contrast to make his point in dualism; every human being contains opposite forces within them, there’s always a different person behind a facade. This shows dualism in a whole different level. Stevenson used an aptonym for Hyde as his character â€Å"hides† in another character. The style of Stevenson’s writing is sometimes complicated as some of the sentences are longer than modern readers would normally read. Also the vocabulary is dated, and a lot of the words in the novel are no longer used. The most complex parts of the story are in Jekyll’s confession at the end. Sometimes Stevenson uses metaphors such as when Mr Enfield describes where he first met Mr Hyde as â€Å"some place at the end of the world†. He uses a lot of similes to show how inhuman Hyde really is, for example â€Å"like some damned Juggernaut† and â€Å"like Satan†. Alliteration highlights the unpleasantness of Mr Hyde; he is described as â€Å"downright detestable† and â€Å"hardly human†. Onomatopoeia emphasises the animal qualities of Mr Hyde by describing the sounds he makes as â€Å"hissing†, â€Å"snarled† and â€Å"husky†. Throughout the novella the theme of ‘hypocrisy’ is very large. Almost every character is a hypocrite take for example the police man. When the police man realised that the victim of the murder was a famous MP. You can tell from the police man face that his professional ambition meant a lot, as this would better his career and maybe lead to an early retirement. Jekyll is the ultimate hypocrite in the novella although he lives part of his life as someone else he cannot accept the natural evil inside him so he separates them. Hyde’s house keeper is another character that shows hypocrisy. She displays â€Å"odious joys† when she hears that her employer, Mr Hyde is in trouble with the police. She is described as having a face that is â€Å"worn smooth† with hypocrisy. Stevenson often uses the weather to reflect the evil within the surroundings. For example some scenes are described as foggy, which creates a sense of eeriness and mystery. Also wind is used to make the environment seem like it is full of violence and menace. Changes in the weather, for instance when Poole and Utterson are getting ready to break into Jekyll’s laboratory, also create a dark and evil atmosphere as when the wind caused the clouds to cover the moon. The house itself shows secret and hypocrisy as well. In contrast the door of Dr. Jekyll home â€Å"wore a great air of wealth and comfort†, whilst the inside of the house is described as â€Å"warmed †¦ by a bright, open fire, and furnished with costly cabinets of oak†. The good friend of Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Utterson, often spoke of it as â€Å"the pleasantest room in London.† This gives a totally different impression to that of Mr Hyde’s home. The description of Mr Hyde’s door would make it appear that the house was abandoned by the state of it. But as you enter the house there is a sense of elegance, luxury and good taste. You would expect it to be empty and unclean. A Victorian reader would not associate these two people together as they both live in different environments. They would only realise the association between them when Mr Hyde presents a cheque to the child’s family, bearing Dr. Jekyll name. This would make the reader curious of how these two know each other. However later on the reader is surprised to see that the inside of Mr Hyde’s house contains good wines, good pictures, silver plates, elegant table linen and thick carpets. These are items you would expect to see in Dr. Jekyll house. The dualism in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is almost similar to the modern days. Jekyll as a scientist had a super ego. He was very intelligent to come up with a potion that split a mans personality, but when the character Hyde occurs, he is the complete opposite. As humans we want a balanced ego, we want desires to be fulfilled but not all desires are good. So this makes a dynamic equilibrium. This was the theory of Freud. Jekyll is dominated by superego but Hyde being the id is trying to push his way in, which he does succeed in the end. In my opinion I think that Jekyll has a balanced ego as in the end he wanted to destroy both good and evil. I think this shows he is being considerate as he could have carried on being Hyde if he wanted to. â€Å"There comes an end to all things; the most capacious measure is filled at last; and this brief condescension to my evil finally destroyed the balance of my soul†. I think this is Jekyll thinking in terms of his super ego as I think this q uote shows that he wants to get rid of Hyde as the emphasis is on the word â€Å"finally†. The dualism in the story is significant to the book, without duality in the book it would have a different perspective on the whole. Stevenson’s main aim was to put his point across about duality. Stevenson reveals that the duality of human nature runs deeper than good and evil to rational versus and reputation versus true nature. Stevenson also uses different narrators to the book to give an alternative view on Hyde and Jekyll. No single account could explain to the reader the views of characters associated with Jekyll and Hyde. For example without the support of his friend Utterson, Jekyll would not be as strong Overall I think that this novella is very complex, but has an excellent understanding to it. I think Stevenson put the theme of â€Å"duality† init in an interesting way and related it very well to the Victorian society at the time. Stevenson also comments on the constant war and balance between the two characters. â€Å"There comes an end to all things; the most capacious measure is filled at last; and this brief condescension to my evil finally destroyed the balance of my soul†. In almost all stories the good always wins in the end as Jekyll rightly committed suicide as there was no other way out. However it also could be seen as the evil getting the best of the good side as Hyde took over Jekyll’s life and Jekyll producing the potion in the first place. I think that the story relates to this day and age in a way that people are hypocrites and have two sides to them, it gives a strong message to what could happen in the outcome.

The Naked Sun essays

The Naked Sun essays In the novel The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov, the main character in the novel is a New York police officer, Elijah Baley, who is sent to another planet called Solaria to solve a murder mystery. He is a young police officer who choosen by government of Solaria because of his earlier experiences in solving problems involving Solarians who are called Spacers in the novel. He is assigned to work with a robot with human look that used to work with him in his last case involving Spacers. This robot has human identity and other robots in Solaria know him as a human. He is assinged to spy on Baley for other planets that dont have good relation with Solarians. Elijah is the first person who is traveling to one of the outer planets and is responsible to bring information for his government and act as a spy. Bring us information. The big flaw in sociological forecast is our lack of data concerning the Spacers. (Page 27). During his investigation, he finds out that the human race is in danger and the victon was killed because he had some information about it. It is not easy to aks an earthman to help, but I must do so. Remember, the human race is in danger. Earth too.(Page 104). He tries to do his job as an earthman and not like a Spacer. He is not scared of what they might do to him in their planet and he doesnt care about that because he knows that human race is in danger. No! listen to me. Id advise you to. Youre a bigtime Spacer and Im an earthman, but with all respect, with deepest and most humble apologies, you are scared.(Page 172). He also tries to work without respecting the culture and the way of living in Solaria and in his investigations, he work the same way he used to work on earth, by meeting people, which is not a normal for them. From now on, th ...

Life Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers

Life Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers Life You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories) But you have to remember There is a life to be lived and a beautiful world to be seen There are new friends and more memories to make And the world is just going to keep going with or without you Don't let fear hold you back From taking that chance Sacrifice, laugh, cry, give, learn love Just let yourself go and live the life that you want Find yourself and be brave Discover the world that awaits you and enjoy this wonderful life.

Advantages of Raw Milk Essay Example for Free

Advantages of Raw Milk Essay ? From the time of Hippocrates to until just after World War II, this â€Å"white blood† nourished and healed uncounted millions. Clean raw milk from pastured cows is a complete and properly balanced food You could live on it exclusively if you had to indeed, published accounts exist of people who have done just that What’s in it that makes it so great? Let’s look at the ingredients to see what makes it such a powerful food Proteins Our bodies use amino acids as building blocks for protein. Depending on who you ask, we need 20-22 of them for this task Eight of them are considered essential, in that we have to get them from our food. The remaining 12-14 we can make from the first eight via complex metabolic pathways in our cells Raw cow’s milk has all 8 essential amino acids in varying amounts, depending on stage of lactation About 80% of the proteins in milk are caseins- reasonably heat stable and, for most, easy to digest Lactoferrin (14), an iron-binding protein, has numerous beneficial properties including improved absorption and assimilation of iron Ice cream – we don’t drink milk, we eat. Milk is our first food Mammals – short time milk 50 years ago 2000 pounds of milk per year Now top producers over 50000 pounds, how is it done ? Drugs, antibiotics, hormones, specialized cow breeding†¦ breeding cows for specialized skimmed milk. Skimmed milk cow. Its insane , and rocket fuel Cow’s milk also contain blood Kills Vitamin B6 –Pyridoxine Vitamin B12—Cyanocobalamin Diabitis – no proper enzymes to digest proteins. Advantages of Raw Milk. (2017, Mar 14).

Managing Professional Services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managing Professional Services - Essay Example They emphasize the central role of customer expectations in this context and describe the need for managing them, i.e. setting them to appropriate levels.    Thakor and Kumar discuss their research into consumers' perception of what characterizes professional services. Consumers consider those services to be 'more professional' that are perceived to require higher levels of expertise and lower levels of manual labor, and that possess higher levels of credence qualities. Similarly, 'more professional' services are deemed more critical; recommendations play a more important role in service selection, and involve a higher lack of clarity as to the nature of service actually required. McLaughlin, Yang and van Dierdonck (1995) provide a detailed discussion of focus in professional service organizations. Drawing on empirical research of outpatient surgery centers, these authors define the notion of focus, discuss benefits and disadvantages, and develop a framework aiding managers in maki ng micro-focus decisions. Ojasalo (2001) investigates the specific nature of customer expectations in the context of professional services and describes them as often being fuzzy, implicit, and unrealistic. He describes the potential effect of such expectations and professional service providers' failure to meet them on perceived service quality. The author discusses the potential negative effects of appropriately managing such expectations on â€Å"perceived short-term quality/satisfaction and the related potential positive effects on long-term quality/satisfaction†.    Goldstein et al. (2002) describe the service concept's role in driving design and planning decisions at all levels of new service development. The service concept is described as essential to creating organizational alignment by linking a service organization's strategic intent to its customers' needs, and as linking the 'how' and 'what' of service design. Kwortnik and Thompson (2009) research the case of ' Liberty Cruise Lines' to understand the service operations challenges originating from service design decisions taken from a service marketing perspective. They advocate the use of the service operations model, which includes the service promise and concept as one of its essential elements. The authors emphasize the need for coordination between service marketing and operations during ongoing operations rather than only during new service development. Furthermore, they suggest bridging the service marketing-operations gap with service experience management, a new function integrating service operations and marketing. Malhotra and Sharma (2002) agree that the interface between service marketing and operations is critically important. They emphasize the importance of cross-functional interactions and joint decision-making across these disciplines, and introduce a simple marketing operations integration framework, which identifies opportunities for inter-functional integration. A cross -functional approach to service management is seen as essential for effective service design and delivery.    Heskett et al. (1994) describe the ser

Marketing report (Analysis & SWOT ipod touch or iphone 4) Essay

Marketing report (Analysis & SWOT ipod touch or iphone 4) - Essay Example Apple’s target market is often young and middle aged adults looking for excitement on the go and it’s because of this reason that Apple has developed products which offer the entertainment element on the go. Consumers can rip their music, videos and photos on their devices and carry them and use them wherever they go. Apple has also attempted to target young professionals by offering them products like Apple IPhone and Apple IPad to check their emails, surf internet as well as watch videos and movies anywhere anytime. The overall marketing mix of the company is based upon offering premium products through its own chain of stores and other partners besides having an online store. Further, the brand recognition of Apple has reached to a level where its products are self selling in nature. This report will present a situational analysis of one of its newly launched products i.e. Apple Iphone 4 with special reference to London, UK. Situational Analysis This section will dis cuss both the internal as well as external environment of Apple Iphone 4 with first section will be on the assessment of the internal environment. Internal environment Iphone 4 is a sequel to the much successful Iphone product line of Apple which has overtaken the smartphones market by storm. Based on the Apple’s own mobile operating system, this product combined the Apple’s already successful MP3 Player IPod with the added utility of mobile phone and other applications. The IPhone therefore was the result of the vision to combine music and mobile communication on the go while allowing consumers to check their emails, surf internet and use so called apps on their Iphones. It is also important to note that Iphone 4 comes with added features such as retina display, face time as well as with iBooks where consumers can actually read the eBooks on their Iphone4. (Apple Inc, 2010). These features were absent from the earlier versions of the Iphone. Apps have also proved a re ally an important source of not only improving the productivity but also created fun and excitement for the users also. (Sintumuang, 2011) Like its predecessor, Iphone was targeted as the young and middle age individuals who were looking for some added functionalities in the phone. Apple therefore has followed the segmentation strategy based on people rather than on markets. (Asay, 2010) Iphone 4 comes with the face time utility allowing users to make video calls besides enjoying high speed internet. Consumer trends therefore suggest that the customers are willing to pay the premium price for the product given the brand name and product quality of the phone. It is also important to note that Apple faced a rather tricky situation at the beginning of the launch of Iphone due to some technical issues which somewhat distracted the customers. However, the situation was overcome and the new models are now being sold with further technical refinements. A closer look at the marketing mix si tuation of the product would suggest that Iphone4 is priced at premium and is sold in the range of ?500 to ?6201 for two different models according to the storage capacity. Pricing of the product therefore suggest that Apple is charging premium for the quality and breadth of services it provides through its allied service iTunes. Product is mostly distributed through

Social networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Social networking - Essay Example Over the years, social networking has replaced a great amount of the traditional, physical communication between people. This reveals that while there are numerous advantages of online social networking, there are also plenty of disadvantages. When someone communicates with a friend or family member over an online social networking website, their attention is often divided. They are usually watching television, eating, doing homework, talking to another person via another medium, or even a combination of the aforementioned. Even though the person they are speaking to is usually unaware of it, they are not getting the complete attention of their friend, who has found other things to busy themselves with. The same can even be said for the person being talked to. Physical communication, on the other hand, means that both people are being given the proper amount of attention. They may be engaged in other activities, but the physical presence of each person will prompt better undivided at tention. They will acknowledge that the other is there, thus allowing more focus on communication, as opposed to something else. Yet another downside of communicating through online social networking websites is that tone and emotion are often misconstrued.

How the Impact of Culture Affects Ethical and Moral Communications Research Paper

How the Impact of Culture Affects Ethical and Moral Communications - Research Paper Example The basic process of communication has many barriers that impact its effectiveness and cultural is one of the elements of â€Å"noise† that can distort the understanding and interpretation of the message (John). Cultural differences in understanding, as well as message delivery, can become barriers to effective communication. And these differences have become more profound by the proliferation of mass media and social media promoted through the increasing use of the internet (Lauring). The impact of culture on meaningful business and inter-organizational communication is dependent upon the nature of cultural context, a theory proposed by Edward Hall. Based on his findings, people in organizations rely on other sensory and behavioral cues in sending, receiving and interpreting messages. The filters are socially constructed and so are these sensory cues thus each individual’s communication process is greatly influenced by the norms and value of his cultural context (Chita kornkijsil). In high context cultures, such as Chinese, Korean and Indian, people rely less on verbal cues and more on nonverbal elements like voice, facial expressions, tone and the implied meaning of the message rather than the literal meaning. In low context cultures including the American, Australian and the English cultures, on the other hand, the sender and receiver are more oriented towards the direct and literal meaning of the messages implied (Karin). Likewise in individualist cultures place more importance on personal goals rather than group interests in communication. On the other hand, the collectivist cultures induce people to think of themselves an extended part of the organization thus making inter-organizational communication more effective (Caroline). Hence, culture has the tendency to impact the moral and ethical dimensions of communication in a business as well as a social setting, this is because of the cognitive constraints which pertain to the different framing of the same idea and differing value systems. Secondly, there exist behavioral constraints in terms of the everyday behavioral practices including standards of proximity, eye contact, shaking hands etc. for example, in America culture, it is against the social etiquette to not look the other person in the eye while speaking to him while in Asian cultures, looking in the eye can mean disrespect. Likewise, while in American culture, greeting someone with a smile is again a social etiquette; in Germany, this can send a flirtatious sign to the opposite gender. Thirdly, the emotional constraints hinder and can impact the social and moral dimensions of communication. For example, in Japanese culture, silence is an integral part of work ethics, in Asian cultures silence is taken to be affirmation irrespective of the actual state of mind of the person whereas the American managers are more talkative and consider talking imperative to convey the right messages to their subordinates and co-w orkers (Sunita).

Air Astana and Alliances Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 14750 words

Air Astana and Alliances - Dissertation Example It has been informed and increasingly taken in to account that the airline does not have any collaboration or tie up with regards to the fleet management or route management, with any other airline in the world. Air Astana being one of the most efficient and largest operators of airlines basing out of the Kazakhstan region is increasingly taking into consideration, the relative advantages and disadvantages that the company can have in terms of forming a chain of collaboration or network for the purpose of fleet management as well as route management. The project has been approached by giving a general overview of global airline industry that is operating in every part of the globe. The next part moves on towards the process of giving a brief insight in terms of airline industry operating in UK and Kazakhstan as well as providing vital information and insights on the airline Air Astana. The next part of the project provides an analysis of the external as well internal factors pertaini ng to the macro and micro economic conditions that can propose a series of threat and benefits to the working strategies and operations of the airline company. The next parts comprises of the research methodology as well as the relevant findings and discussions in line with the research methodology.... the relative advantages and disadvantages that the company can have in terms of forming a chain of collaboration or network for the purpose of fleet management as well as route management. The project has been approached by giving a general overview of global airline industry that is operating in every part of the globe. The next part moves on towards the process of giving a brief insight in terms of airline industry operating in UK and Kazakhstan as well as providing vital information and insights on the airline Air Astana. The next part of the project provides an analysis of the external as well internal factors pertaining to the macro and micro economic conditions that can propose a series of threat and benefits to the working strategies and operations of the airline company. The next parts comprises of the research methodology as well as the relevant findings and discussions in line with the research methodology. The last comprises of the conclusions and discussions which have be en found, determined and or identified as a part of the research analysis of the project. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Objectives of the Study 1.3 Research Questions 1.4 Significance of the Study 1.5 Research Structure 1.1 Background of the Study Aviation is regarded as a highly important and critical management process which is followed actively in the sector of airline industry. The prime and fundamental responsibility and objective of the aviation industry is to strategically manage and overlook the entire operational performance as well as business related performances in the airline sector. The secondary objectives comprises of overlooking and encouraging necessary technological developments for the purpose of increasing of operational and business

Social networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Social networking - Essay Example Over the years, social networking has replaced a great amount of the traditional, physical communication between people. This reveals that while there are numerous advantages of online social networking, there are also plenty of disadvantages. When someone communicates with a friend or family member over an online social networking website, their attention is often divided. They are usually watching television, eating, doing homework, talking to another person via another medium, or even a combination of the aforementioned. Even though the person they are speaking to is usually unaware of it, they are not getting the complete attention of their friend, who has found other things to busy themselves with. The same can even be said for the person being talked to. Physical communication, on the other hand, means that both people are being given the proper amount of attention. They may be engaged in other activities, but the physical presence of each person will prompt better undivided at tention. They will acknowledge that the other is there, thus allowing more focus on communication, as opposed to something else. Yet another downside of communicating through online social networking websites is that tone and emotion are often misconstrued.

Air Astana and Alliances Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 14750 words

Air Astana and Alliances - Dissertation Example It has been informed and increasingly taken in to account that the airline does not have any collaboration or tie up with regards to the fleet management or route management, with any other airline in the world. Air Astana being one of the most efficient and largest operators of airlines basing out of the Kazakhstan region is increasingly taking into consideration, the relative advantages and disadvantages that the company can have in terms of forming a chain of collaboration or network for the purpose of fleet management as well as route management. The project has been approached by giving a general overview of global airline industry that is operating in every part of the globe. The next part moves on towards the process of giving a brief insight in terms of airline industry operating in UK and Kazakhstan as well as providing vital information and insights on the airline Air Astana. The next part of the project provides an analysis of the external as well internal factors pertaini ng to the macro and micro economic conditions that can propose a series of threat and benefits to the working strategies and operations of the airline company. The next parts comprises of the research methodology as well as the relevant findings and discussions in line with the research methodology.... the relative advantages and disadvantages that the company can have in terms of forming a chain of collaboration or network for the purpose of fleet management as well as route management. The project has been approached by giving a general overview of global airline industry that is operating in every part of the globe. The next part moves on towards the process of giving a brief insight in terms of airline industry operating in UK and Kazakhstan as well as providing vital information and insights on the airline Air Astana. The next part of the project provides an analysis of the external as well internal factors pertaining to the macro and micro economic conditions that can propose a series of threat and benefits to the working strategies and operations of the airline company. The next parts comprises of the research methodology as well as the relevant findings and discussions in line with the research methodology. The last comprises of the conclusions and discussions which have be en found, determined and or identified as a part of the research analysis of the project. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Objectives of the Study 1.3 Research Questions 1.4 Significance of the Study 1.5 Research Structure 1.1 Background of the Study Aviation is regarded as a highly important and critical management process which is followed actively in the sector of airline industry. The prime and fundamental responsibility and objective of the aviation industry is to strategically manage and overlook the entire operational performance as well as business related performances in the airline sector. The secondary objectives comprises of overlooking and encouraging necessary technological developments for the purpose of increasing of operational and business

Controlling Case study Essay Example for Free

Controlling Case study Essay Abstract This paper studies management control design of supplier relationships in manufacturing, a supply chain phase currently under-explored. Compared to supplier relations during procurement and RD, which research found to be governed by a combination of formal and informal controls, supplier relations in manufacturing are more formal, so that they could be governed by more formal and less informal controls. To refine the management control system and influencing contingencies, we propose a theoretical framework specifically adapted for the manufacturing stage. This framework is investigated by an in depth case study of the supplier management control of a Volvo Cars production facility. We identify three types of suppliers visualizing the associations in the framework and illustrating the framework’s explicative power in (automotive) manufacturing. Furthermore, the case contradicts that supplier relations in the manufacturing phase are governed by little informal control, because the automaker highly values the role of trust building and social pressure. Most notably, a structured supplier team functions as a clan and establishes informal control among participating suppliers, which strengthens the automaker’s control on dyadic supplier relations. Keywords: Management control; Supplier relationships; Manufacturing; Contingency theory; Case research; Automotive 2 1. Introduction In the current economic environment, characterised by globalisation and enhanced levels of competition, companies require an effective supply chain with inter-organizational relationships (IORs) to strive for sustainable competitive advantage. Not surprisingly, studies show that IORs have a high potential impact on organization performance (e. g. Anderson Dekker, 2005). Literature, however, also argues that many IORs do not provide the expected benefits and are often terminated because of managing difficulties (Ireland, Hitt Vaidynanath, 2002). Academics often propose that lack of coordination and opportunistic behaviour of partners are the two main reasons for the relatively high relationship failure rate (e. g. Dekker, 2004). Hence, management control systems (MCSs) are argued to play a critical role in preventing such failure, by establishing governance mechanisms to control the relationship (Ireland et al. , 2002). The fundamental goal of MCSs is to influence decision making in attaining strategic objectives (Nixon Burns, 2005). In an inter-organizational setting, this implies creating bilateral incentives to pursue mutual goals. Already in the mid-nineties, scholars started calling for more attention for this topic (e.g. Hopwood, 1996; Otley, 1994), and have not stopped since (e. g. van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2006). Consequently, inter-organisational MCSs have been studied from several angles, including outsourcing (e. g. Anderson, Glenn Sedatole, 2000), inter-organizational cost management (e. g. Cooper Slagmulder, 2004), partnerships (e. g. Seal, Berry, Cullen, Dunlop Ahmed, 1999), strategic alliances (e. g. Dekker 2004), networks (e. g. Kajuter Kulmala, 2005) and joint ventures (e.g. Kamminga van der MeerKooistra, 2007). Yet, the main emphasis was put on relational collaboration during the first stages of the supply chain, namely procurement, which involves the make-or-buy decision, partner selection and contract design, and RD. Although this historical focus is certainly justified, management control in a later phase of the supply chain, namely manufacturing, remains relatively under-explored (Cooper Slagmulder, 2004; Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003). However, purchased products and services for manufacturing account for more than 60% of the average company’s total costs (Degraeve Roodhooft, 2001) and are subject to continuous improvement with suppliers, also requiring adequate management control. Therefore, this study illustrates how manufacturers design the MCS of supplier relations in the manufacturing phase of the supply chain, which we refer to as â€Å"manufacturer-supplier relationships† (MSRs). In other words, we abstract from 3  procurement and RD influences. 1 Nevertheless, management control research on previous supply chain stages, offers a first theoretical insight into how a MCS for MSRs could look like. In particular, prior empirical research on IORs such as RD collaboration (Cooper Slagmulder, 2004), strategic alliances (Dekker 2004) and joint ventures (Kamminga van der Meer-Kooistra, 2007) found MCSs that combine both formal controls, like outcome controls, and more informal controls, such as trust building. Also the execution of service outsourcing projects, like industrial maintenance (van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2000), IT (Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003) and accounting (Nicholson, Jones Espenlaub, 2006) is governed by a combined MCS. So if we assume these findings to hold for other IOR types (external validity) and neglect potential characteristic differences, MSRs could be expected to be governed by a combination of formal and informal control as well. Yet, by taking into account differences between MSRs and other types of IORs, the MCS design could be different. In that respect, we argue that manufacturing is more formal than procurement and RD. Indications for that argument and its consequences for management control can be found in the management control framework of Das Teng (2001). Based on the variables in their framework2, task programmability and outcome measurability, it should be clear that for manufacturing both variable levels are high, or at least higher than in the case of procurement and RD. Consequently, the framework indicates that formal controls are suited mechanisms to govern MSRs. This argument is strengthened by the type of knowledge usage in MSRs, for which organization literature provides a clear distinction between knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation. On the one hand, it is argued that the first supply chain phases, think of procurement and RD, aim at knowledge exploration, while the later stages, like manufacturing, primarily 1 Obviously, procurement and RD do impact the manufacturing phase. Yet, as our aim is refining supplier MCS design in the  manufacturing phase, we deliberately exclude these influences. In terms of research methodology, this abstraction is put into operation by studying a MSR between a manufacturer facility and supplier facility only dealing with manufacturing, while procurement and RD are handled by their respective mother companies (cf part three of this paper â€Å"research methodology†). 2 Although this framework was originally developed by Ouchi (1979) for use in MCS design within organizations, Das Teng (2001) further adapted it for use in IORs. Task programmability refers to the degree to which managers understand the transformation process in which appropriate behaviour is to take place. Outcome measurability refers to the ability to measure outcome precisely and objectively. When outcome measurability is high/low and task programmability is low/high, formal outcome/behaviour control should be set up to govern the relation. When both dimensions are low, informal control is preferable, but when both measures are high, both outcome and behaviour control are suited control mechanisms (Das Teng, 2001). 4  aim at knowledge exploitation. On the other hand, research shows that the exploration of knowledge is best governed by informal controls, while knowledge exploitation is most adequately controlled by formal controls (Bijlsma-Frankema Costa, 2005). Thus, based on the characteristics of high task programmability, high outcome measurability and knowledge exploitation goals, MSRs could be expected to be governed by primarily formal controls with little informal controls. In other words, the literature offers different management control designs for MSRs regarding the informal control level. Therefore, this study investigates how the MCS of MSRs is designed and how important informal controls are in that design, in particular in IORs between an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and suppliers of outsourced manufacturing activities in the trend-setting automotive industry (cf Womack, Jones Roos, 1990). An automobile is a complex product manufactured with thousands of components. Consequently, also this industry increasingly outsourced non-core activities and started relying on suppliers to create lower costs. To that end, a variety of supply chain management practices has been implemented, such as lean supply and continuous improvement. Yet, these induce the need for appropriate management control structures and bi-directional communication to organize and manage the relation (Carr Ng, 1995; Scannell, Vickery Droge, 2000). In that respect, one particular automaker, namely Toyota, is known for partnering with suppliers, transferring its expertise to help suppliers and installing softer forms of control including trust. To govern the search for continuous improvement in manufacturing, Toyota established the â€Å"Toyota Group† by means of a supplier association, an operations management consulting division and voluntary small group learning teams (Dyer Nobeoka, 2000). However, practitioner literature (e. g. Automotive News/Automotive News Europe) describes several other automakers governing this search by heavily formalized supplier relations. Contrary to cooperation during procurement and RD, manufacturing is argued to become much more demanding towards suppliers. Automakers increasingly transfer manufacturing risk and supply responsibility to first-tier suppliers, which results in suppliers delivering to very tight just-in-time and in-sequence schedules (Alford, Sackett Nelder, 2000). As a result, OEMs install formal controls and supplier improvement techniques, which alert suppliers to the importance of ameliorating supply performance at lower costs. Hence, also automotive practice shows evidence of high and low levels of informal control. Therefore, this study specifically investigates how the MCS of automotive MSRs is designed. Yet, besides illustrating MCS design, this paper contributes to explaining MCS design of automotive 5 MSRs. To our knowledge, little inter-organizational management control research specifically investigated contingency theory’s explicative power in manufacturing. Naturally, several papers study influences on MCS design in production environments, like the impact of manufacturing flexibility (Abernethy Lillis, 1995), customization and related interdependence (Bouwens Abernethy, 2000), profit centre strategy (Lillis, 2002), production strategy, production technology and organization (van Veen-Dirks, 2006). However, these studies investigate characteristics explaining MCS design in one organisation, while our study focuses on inter-organizational relations. To that end, we propose a refined theoretical contingency framework based on recent inter-organizational management control theory, but specifically adapted for the manufacturing stage. This framework proposes several contingencies determining the level of risk, which is governed by different levels of management control techniques. In order to illustrate the validity of the framework in practice and answer how and why automakers design their MCS, we perform an in depth case study of the relations between a facility (VCG) of the international OEM Volvo Cars and a selection of its first-tier supplier facilities. The case study provides considerable evidence of three supplier types, namely batch, low value-added just-in-sequence and high value-added just-in-sequence suppliers, visualizing the associations in the framework between contingencies, risks and management controls. These controls include both formal and informal techniques, of which trust building and social pressure are highly valued. Most notably, VCG’s structured supplier team functions as a clan and establishes informal control among participating suppliers, which strengthens control on the OEM’s dyadic supplier relations. As our framework draws on case findings from other less formal IORs, it seems that our case findings offer more evidence of their external validity. That way, the findings contradict that informal controls play a minor role in automotive MSRs. In particular, VCG’s MCS, combining both formal and informal controls, is argued to be designed specifically to improve supply performance. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. In the second part, we develop the theoretical contingency framework. The third part describes the case research methodology. The fourth part is the actual case study, which presents VCG, describes three supplier types by means of contingency levels and clarifies how VCG designed the MCS governing them. In the fifth part, we discuss our findings by comparing VCG’s management control with previous findings and elaborating on the significance of VCG’s supplier team. We conclude the paper with a summary of the main findings and some avenues for further research. 6 2. Theoretical framework In this part, we develop a theoretical contingency framework for MCS design of MSRs, which can be found in figure I. Contingency theory originated with the aim of explaining the structure of organizations by particular circumstances. Later, management accounting researchers adopted and further developed the theory in order to explain the shape of MCSs in organizations (e. g. Chenhall, 2003; Luft Shields, 2003). Therefore, contingency theory suits this study, regarding MCS design of MSRs and its explicative variables. The central concept of the framework is the level of risk a certain MSR runs. Inter-organizational management control theory proposes two types of risk, which result from five different situational antecedents, characterizing the MSR. Although we clarify both risk types separately, we stress the integrative interpretation of all contingencies jointly determining both levels of risk. Subsequently, this risk is governed by different management control instruments, either with a large or a small role for informal control. 3 2. 1. Performance risk The first risk type is performance risk, defined as the probability of not achieving the MSR objectives, despite satisfactory cooperation (Das Teng, 2001). This type of risk is also referred to as â€Å"coordination requirements† (Dekker, 2004; Gulati Singh, 1998) or â€Å"the mastery of events† (Tomkins, 2001). As the MSR objective concerns manufacturing as many products of the order book as possible, on time, with good quality at the lowest possible cost, performance risk is the risk of a supply chain interruption disturbing the realisation of this goal. Three contingencies related to technology increase this risk, namely complexity, task uncertainty and task interdependence (Chenhall, 2003). Yet as complexity and task uncertainty are highly related (Chenhall, 2003), the framework does not include complexity separately (cf Dekker, 2004). 3 According to van Veen-Dirks (2006), all situational characteristics and MCS characteristics are determined jointly instead of sequentially. Also Kamminga van der Meer-Kooistra (2007) propose that the influence of contingencies is not determined by each antecedent as such, but by their interaction. In addition, they suggest studying control as an integrative concept, in which all control dimensions are incorporated. Consequently, we do not propose one-on-one associations between one specific contingency, one specific type of risk and one specific type of control, suggested to suit that risk type. Instead, our model simultaneously studies the associations between situational contingencies, risks and management control techniques, as put forward by the three boxes of figure I. The boxes of contingencies and risks are put together to stress their interdependence and joint impact on management control. 7 Task uncertainty relates to variability in transformation tasks and the available knowledge of methods for performing those tasks (Chenhall, 2003). This situational characteristic determines the measurability difficulty of output and activities (Kamminga van der Meer-Kooistra, 2007; van der MeerKooistra Vosselman, 2000), which increases with increasing levels of complexity of both the delivered product and its operational processes (Woodward, 1965). The first complexity is related to the added value of the product and gradually increases depending on whether the supplier delivers a standard component or an important customized module (Cooper Slagmulder, 2004). The second complexity regards the added value of the production process and reflects the complexity of the supplier’s manufacturing processes needed to effectively produce and deliver products as required. Task interdependence refers to the degree to which subactivities of the value creation process have been split up and made dependent on each other (Dekker, 2004). In MSRs, this interdependence is sequential (Thompson, 1967)4, because the relation involves transferring the supplier’s output to the manufacturer’s input process. The level of sequential interdependence is impacted by the dependence level of the manufacturer’s operational performance on the supply quality (timeliness and product quality). Moreover, the interdependence level of a specific MSR is influenced by the production flexibility required from both parties and the manufacturer’s lack of precise knowledge to perform activities previously done in-house. 2. 2. Relational risk The second type of risk is relational risk, implying the probability of not having satisfactory cooperation because of opportunistic behaviour of the supplier, exemplified in shirking, cheating, distorting information and appropriating resources (Das and Teng, 2001). This type of risk is also referred to as â€Å"appropriation concerns† (Dekker, 2004; Gulati Singh, 1998) or â€Å"the generation of trust† (Tomkins, 2001). Transaction cost economics (TCE) theory5 proposes three contingencies that influence relational risk and subsequently determine appropriate control: asset specificity, environmental uncertainty and transaction frequency (Williamson, 1979). Yet, as the manufacturer possesses no specific assets related to a certain supplier, at 4 Thompson (1967) identifies three levels of task interdependence from low to high, which influence the level of inter-organisational coordination and communication: pooled, sequential and reciprocal interdependence. 5 TCE argues that parties are only boundedly rational and behave opportunistically. Therefore, the total cost of outsourcing is the sum of both the supplied component costs and the transaction costs, including costs for negotiation, drawing up contracts, coordination, control and risk of opportunistic behaviour (van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2000). 8 least not in the manufacturing phase of the supply chain, there is no lock-in to supplier opportunistic behaviour. 6 Hence, unlike uncertainty and transaction frequency, asset specificity does not influence supplier opportunistic behaviour in MSRs and is not included in our theoretical framework. Consistent with being a central contingency research concept, environmental uncertainty also forms a powerful characteristic of MSRs (Chenhall, 2003). In particular, this contingency relates to general market uncertainties and uncertainty about unknown future contingencies (Kamminga van der Meer-Kooistra, 2007; Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003; van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2000). Because manufacturer and supplier interact under these uncertainties, both parties face changes over time, which require detailed contracts (Dekker, 2004). However, incomplete contract theory argues that there exist limitations in drawing up complete contracts, because all future contingencies can not be foreseen, are too expensive to foresee or are too expensive or impossible to contract upon (Gietzmann, 1996). Consequently, the combination of uncertainty and incomplete contracts leads to potential opportunistic behaviour of the supplier. According to TCE, more frequent interactions lower the possibility of opportunistic behaviour (Williamson, 1979). So, to preserve a positive relation between contingencies and relational risk, we could utilize infrequency as contingency variable (e. g. Anderson Dekker, 2005). Yet, as we study MSRs with no connection to commercial negotiations determining the contract term, we include the antecedent relational stability aim. This contingency relates to the manufacturer’s aim of continued future interactions with the supplier and serves to build bilateral commitment (Cooper Slagmulder, 2004). We argue that MSRs, in which relational stability is considered necessary and thus aspired by the manufacturer, are subject to higher relational risk. For example, if supplier switching costs are high due to high interdependence, high commitment from the manufacturer could incite the supplier to accept lower quality or delivery performance. Besides including a transaction environment characteristic and a transaction characteristic, we also incorporate a transaction party characteristic (Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003; van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2000). In particular, we include supplier knowledge importance, which encompasses the degree of importance for the manufacturer to know the supplier and to be able to assess characteristics, such as management competence, trustworthiness and willingness to share proprietary knowledge. Usually, this kind of assessment is done by means of first-hand or second-hand experience. Hence, we argue that when the 6 Obviously, suppliers do have specific assets in place, rendering them vulnerable to opportunistic behaviour from the part of the manufacturer. However, this study and the developed theoretical framework only focus on supplier opportunistic behaviour. 9 importance of supplier knowledge rises, the risk for insufficient or erroneous assessment and subsequent supplier opportunistic behaviour increases. 2. 3. Management control system Although MCSs have been conceptualised and categorised in various ways, the current management control literature has reached a consensus on two types of management controls, namely formal and informal control instruments (Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003). Obviously, studying the usage of informal controls compared to formal controls requires both control types to be included in the theoretical framework. Formal controls are explicitly set up to coordinate the MSR and include outcome controls and behaviour controls. Outcome control involves the measurement and evaluation of the outcomes of operations against pre-defined outcomes or targets, by using several performance measurement techniques (Ouchi, 1979; Dekker, 2004). The most important outcome metrics for MSRs are percentage of defects, quality of delivered goods and on time delivery of goods (Gunasekaran, Patel McGaughey, 2004). Behavioural control concerns the specification and actual surveillance of behaviour, by means of rules and standard procedures (Ouchi, 1979). Additionally, behaviour control includes evaluating compliance with pre-specified planning, procedures, rules and regulations (Dekker, 2004). Informal controls (also called social controls) are not explicitly designed, but are grown out of shared norms and values, shaped by frequent interaction, meetings and management attitude (Ouchi, 1979; Merchant, 1998). Especially trust building7 has emerged as a very important informal control instrument in inter-organizational MCSs (e. g.Dekker, 2004). While formal controls reduce the risk by altering the incentives for underperformance and opportunistic behaviour, trust mitigates risk by minimizing the fear of underperformance and opportunistic behaviour to occur (Das and Teng 2001). Therefore, we include three types of inter-organizational trust building, namely building contractual trust, competence trust and goodwill trust (Sako, 1992). 8 Contractual trust results from previous contractual relations or grows during the MSR 7 Rousseau, Sitkin, Burt Camerer (1998, p. 394). Define trust as â€Å"a psychological state comprising the intention to accept  vulnerability, based upon positive expectations of the intentions or behaviour of another†. According to them â€Å"trust is not a behaviour (cooperation), or a choice (e. g. taking a risk), but an underlying psychological condition that can cause or result from such actions† (Rousseau et al. , 1998, p. 395; italics added). As such, trust in itself can not be a control instrument in the MCS of MSRs. Instead, the control techniques are the actions the manufacturer performs to create and build trust in the supplier. 8 Contractual trust is based on the expectation that the supplier will keep promises and comply with agreements made, whether these10 (Sako, 1992). Competence trust is increased by previous good performance, i. e. good quality and delivery results. Moreover, competence trust results from buying activities from reputable suppliers or transferring competences to the supplier. Additionally, product and/or process certification and process standardisation enhance competence trust (Sako, 1992). To develop goodwill trust, Sako (1992) identifies shared values and norms as necessary, but insufficient, as transaction parties also need to show the willingness to be indebted to each other. Gulati (1995) stresses creating and growing an inter-organizational bond of friendship to trigger goodwill trust (Gulati, 1995). Other possible goodwill trust initiators are interactive goal setting, trustworthiness reputation and a long term relationship (Dekker, 2004). Next to these specific trust building mechanisms, the literature also proposes an important overall trust building technique, namely close interaction, based on mutual interests and established by means of joint decision making and joint problem solving via a joint relationship board and/or joint task groups (Das Teng, 2001; Dekker, 2004). 9 Besides trust building, MSRs can be governed by another type of informal control, which Ouchi (1979) refers to as clan control. Based on shared norms, values and a common inter-organizational goal, supplier behaviour in the interest of the MSR will be reinforced, because suppliers are motivated to achieve the goal (Das Teng, 2001). This incentive results from inter-organisational social pressure (Spekle, 2001) exerted by the manufacturer, which we believe is social control in its literal meaning. Because of high interdependence between manufacturer and supplier, below standard results of the supplier directly impact the manufacturer’s performance. Consequently, supplier management is unpleasantly confronted with manufacturer management and faces personal humiliation because of the error. Additionally, supplier management runs the risk of their reputation and personal relationship with interacting manufacturer management getting injured. Also Dyer Singh (1998) mention reputation and personal relations as social control mechanisms, besides norms and trust. By acting as negatively valued social sanctions (Bijlsma- are contractually stipulated or not. Competence trust concerns the expectation that the supplier possesses the necessary technical and managerial competences to deliver the order as agreed. Goodwill trust regards the expectation that the supplier shares an open commitment, with the willingness to perform activities beneficial to the MSR, but possibly neither in the supplier’s interest nor required by the contract (Sako, 1992). 9 Other potential overall trust building techniques in a MSR are communication via regular inter-organizational meetings (Chalos O’Connor, 2004; Das Teng, 2001), information sharing of problem areas (Chalos O’Connor, 2004), supplier development activities (Carr Ng, 1995), networking (Das Teng, 2001), training (Chalos O’Connor, 2004) and the extent to which the employees of both parties understand the factors ensuring the collaboration’s future success (Chalos O’Connor, 2004). 11 Frankema Costa, 2005), these social consequences create incentives for satisfactory supplier performance and render supplier opportunism hard to sustain (Spekle, 2001). If we assume operational snags to be day-today business in MSRs, this social pressure creates an informal means to mitigate risk in MSRs. 3. Research methodology 3. 1. Case study research The empirical part of this paper is based on an in depth case study, which is an investigation of a real life phenomenon, relying on multiple sources of evidence and benefiting from prior development of theoretical propositions (Yin, 1994). This research method suits our research that concerns refining existing interorganizational management control theory for the relatively under-explored manufacturing phase of the supply chain. 10 According to Keating (1995), such theory refinement needs a clear theoretical starting point, supplemented with openness to the discovery of unexpected findings. To balance these theory attachment and detachment requirements, we developed a theoretical framework to guide the data collection, but at the same time used data collection techniques allowing sufficient openness. Furthermore, several interorganizational management control case studies (e. g. Cooper Slagmulder, 2004; Dekker, 2004; Kamminga van der Meer-Kooistra, 2007; Nicholson et al. , 2006) strengthen the argument that cases allow investigating in detail the structure and influencing variables of IORs (Sartorius Kirsten, 2005). These studies show that theory refinement of MCS design can be adequately investigated by means of qualitative research. The social meaning of inter-organizational MCSs, especially regarding the use and interpretation of informal controls, and the subsequent behaviour of companies and employees is very complex. So if we only skim the surface, we will never discover how different parties interpret certain IORs and whether the MCS is designed accordingly. This argument not only justifies the choice for a case study, but also forms the reason 10 Our research corresponds to investigating a complex phenomenon within its real life context of which empirical evidence is rather limited, and answering how and why questions about this phenomenon, for which case study research is most suited (Eisenhardt, 1989; Yin, 1994). Furthermore, Keating (1995) argues that case studies suit three goals and that our theory refinement goal represents the middle ground between theory discovery (describing novel phenomena) and theory refutation (disconfirming well specified theories by bringing in negative evidence). More specifically, our case research is of the theory illustration type, documenting â€Å"previously unappreciated aspects of management accounting practice† and identifying â€Å"aspects of the illustrated theory that require reformulation or more rigorous specification† (Keating, 1995, p.71). Indeed, the goal of this study is to illustrate how manufacturers design supplier MCSs, to what extent this design differs from designs in other IORs and how the design can be explained by means of a specifically adapted theoretical framework. 12 why more of this research is requested (e. g. Langfield-Smith Smith, 2003; Dekker, 2004; van der MeerKooistra Vosselman, 2006). 3. 2. Unit of analysis In most inter-organizational studies, the unit of analysis is one dyadic relation between two independent parties (van der Meer-Kooistra Vosselman, 2006). Since there exist different dyadic MSRs within one manufacturer and we study MCS’s dependence on relationship contingencies, our unit of analysis consists of specific MSRs. Dyer Singh (1998) explicitly propose the â€Å"relational view†, focusing on the buyer-supplier dyad, as opposed to the â€Å"industry structure view† and â€Å"resource based view†, when analyzing cooperative strategy and sources of inter-organizational competitive advantage. In order to answer the proposed research questions concerning MSR MCS design, we analyzed all relations after the manufacturer had decided to outsource the manufacturing activities. In other words, we addressed neither the make-or-buy decision nor related commercial negotiations, but collected data from the start of production onwards. Furthermore, we only gathered data on standard MCSs for MSRs with good operational performance. 3. 3. Case company selection The selection of the case company and its suppliers was influenced by two selection concerns: theoretical sampling (Eisenhardt, 1989), and open and flexible access to.