Sociological Theories and Family Essay examples - 1662 Words

Sociological Theories and Family Sociological Theories and Family Sociological theories are important in understanding how the society operates. In addition, the theories help one understand how people in society relate with each other. The theories have helped understand various social issues in the society and made it easy to develop solutions to the problems. There are different theories that are used to explain how the society operates and how people interact with each other. Examples of the theories include functionalism theories and conflict theory, and interactionism theory. The theories have helped examine different institutions in society and how they operate. The theories named above impact families in many different ways.†¦show more content†¦The kind of communication in the family determines their relationship. Poor communication among family members can result to conflicts due to poor understanding. People who are communicating should understand each other to avoid conflicts or misunderstanding . Apart from the conflict theory, interactionism has also impacted the family institution. Interactionism involves the study of individuals and how they interact in the society. The Interactionism theory has grown for the last few decades and has become one of the most common sociological approaches in the world. The Interactionism theory was first developed by James parker and George Herbert mead. The theory was later expanded by Herbert Blumer. Herbert developed the symbolic interactionism theory (Nelson L. 1998). The symbolic interactionism theory has helped people understand the relationship between human beings and the society. Human interactions can only be understood through exchange of important and meaningful communication. Social interaction is a face to face process that is made up of different things. The process consists of actions, reactions and even mutual adaptation between the people involved in the interaction. The objective of social interaction is to communicate with other people. Social interactions among different people in the society can be affected by body language or communication. People can prevent the social interactions fromShow MoreRelatedDiscuss Changing Family Structures in the Uk and Give Examples of Sociological Theories That Provide Explanations as to Why and How Families Have Changed.1123 Words   |  5 Pageschanging family structures in the UK and give examples of sociological theories that provide explanations as to why and how families have changed. This essay will discuss the various family structures in society. It will give theoretical explanation as to why and how families have changed. The essay will also bring statistical, historical and political evidence to back up the reason for these changes. During the pre-industrial society the ‘extended family’ was the most common family structureRead MoreUsing Sociological Theories and Evidence Discuss Why the Contemporary British Family Is Characterised by Diversity.1206 Words   |  5 PagesThe British family is changing. Traditionally the family was not diverse, specific family types were very much associated with the time period, eg, pre industrial Britain the family type was the unit of production and 1850 - 1950 we had the classic extended family. 1950’s to 1970’s was the nuclear family. However in recent times there is evidence to suggest that this has changed. There is still the nuclear family which is usually a small family, with independance stable employment very much ableRead MoreIs There A Sociology Of Love?1046 Words   |  5 Pagessexual relationships Sociological perspectives are theories that we use in the sociological world to view our social environment. These are principles set in sociology to answer, illustrate, describe or relate to a certain phenomenon, to give us a perception on a subject. The sociology theories are to enable us to analyse, predict or explain our social sphere. There are macro and micro level analysis of how perspectives work. I am going to evaluate contrasting sociological perspectives to assessRead MoreSimilarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime890 Words   |  4 PagesSimilarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Walden University Similarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Sociological theories of crime contain a great deal of useful information in the understanding of criminal behavior. Sociological theories are very useful in the study of criminal behavior because unlike psychological and biological theories they are mostly macro level theories which attempt to explain rates of crime for a group or an area ratherRead MoreSociological Knowledge in Nursing Essays1301 Words   |  6 Pageschange human behavior based on interaction with each other (Bennett, B., 2009 p.2). Nursing is a health care profession which concentrates in supporting individuals, their families, and societies as a whole in preserving, attaining and improving best possible health and functioning (Kozier, et al., 2010 pp. 8-9). Sociological knowledge plays a dynamic and elementary role within nursing profession. Besides medical knowledge a nurse needs to be socially aware of a client’s social values. In today’sRead MoreSociological Imagination Summary1307 Words   |   6 PagesAns: In the book â€Å"The Sociological Imagination†, the author C. Wright Mills begins by describing the perilous situation of the American man during the 1950s. He describes they situation as one of internment and frailty. Mills sees men as restricted by the routines of their daily lives. They go to their jobs and become workers, they go home and are family men. The American men of the 1950s were in a state of powerlessness due to the effects of World War Two and the looming threat of nuclear warfareRead MoreDeviance Theory Analysis Essay1564 Words   |  7 PagesDeviance Theory Analysis - Identify Deviance for situations and explain Within any given society, individuals are expected to behave and or conduct themselves in a given acceptable manner. However, there are instances when particular individuals act contrary to the set standards and violate the cultural norms. Such acts may include acts of crime, theft, defiance, breaking of rules, and truancy just to mention a few. Deviance could thus be viewed as the intentional or accidental violation of theRead MoreExamples Of Family Problems1401 Words   |  6 PagesEssay #1: Family Problems Introduction In the United States, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce(Thio, 2012). The United States currently holds first place in the world in terms of divorce rates. Also according to Thio, around ten to twenty percent of all families experience violence, whether between parents or between children and their parents. Divorce and violence are few of the many problems that all sorts of families face everyday. Many sociologists have tried to explain family problemsRead MoreThere Is A Wide Array Of Theories About The Cause Of Crime1102 Words   |  5 PagesThere is a wide array of theories about the cause of crime ranging from predisposition to environmental factors. Research and development of these delinquency theories have progressed and been categorized by biological, psychological, and sociological theories. A major biological theory is Richard Dugdale’s theory of inheritance. There are several psychological theories with two of them being intelligence theory and Sigmund Fre ud’s personality trait theory. Sociological theories includes Emilie Durkheim’sRead MoreSociological Imagination And Cultural Imagination796 Words   |  4 Pagessociologists need to develop a sociological imagination to study how society affects individuals. The definition of sociological imagination by Mills, is â€Å"the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.† (1996-2016 LoveToKnow, Corp). Sociological imagination is the ability to understand how your own past relates to that of other people, as well as to history in general and societal structures in particular (, 2013, p. ). During my Sociological Imagination Project, I chose

Essay about Love and Hate Depicted in Shakespeares...

Love and Hate Depicted in Shakespeares Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice is a play both about love and hate. Shakespeare illustrates the theme of hate most prominently through the prejudices of both Christians and Jews and their behaviour towards one another. The theme of love is shown amongst the Christians, in the love of friendship and marital love. The themes are emphasised in the settings of the play, Belmont symbolising love and Venice symbolising hate. As well as this the immorality of various characters can be seen in their motives for love and hate. The entire play is centred around racial prejudices between Christians and Jews and their hate for one another. In The Merchant of Venice Shylock, the Jew, is†¦show more content†¦He shows no remorse or regret for any past wrongs he has done to Shylock or any other Jew: I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on the again, to spurn thee too. (Antonio- 1,3,126-7) Antonio is the symbol of racism in society and he openly exhibits it. He is not phased in the least after Shylocks downfall. Shakespeare displays the repugnant effects of hatefulness in The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare demonstrates love in The Merchant of Venice amongst the Christians. He also distinguishes between the love of friendship and marital love. In Act 4, Shakespeare implies that Bassanio and Gratianos love for their friend Antonio is greater than that for their wives. Both men broke vows that they had with their wives because of Antonio: Antonio, I am married to a wife which is as dear to me as life itself; but life itself, my wife, and all the world, are not with me esteemd above thy life: I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all, here to this devil, to deliver you. (Bassanio- 4,1,280-5) True love seems to be demonstrated in Jessica and Lorenzos relationship. Jessica is willing to give up her previous life, even if she wasnt altogether happy, to marry Lorenzo: I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian. (Jessica- 3,5,18-9) The Merchant of Venice is set in Italy in Venice and Belmont, representing the two worlds of the play. Shakespeare uses these two settings to emphasise the themes ofShow MoreRelatedThe Character of Shylock as a Victim or Villain in The Merchant of Venice1527 Words   |  7 PagesVictim or Villain in The Merchant of Venice Do you consider the character of shylock to be a victim or villain in the play The Merchant of Venice? Shylock is one of the most interesting, memorable and debated characters in the play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†. In many ways this is because he is both a victim and a villain. Shylock was made a laughing stock of and is ridiculed by the Christians because he was Jewish. The Jewish community in Venice was treated veryRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice Anti-Semite Essay2020 Words   |  9 PagesNowadays, many people consider the play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† is one of the most problematic dramas written by Shakespeare because it promotes the prejudice against Jews or the ideology of anti-Semitism. In fact, the play depicts the villain as a devil, a usurer and a Jew who attempts to murder the good and godlike Christians for they have performed good will and mercy toward other people and ruined the Jew’s business. Whether it is his intention or not, Shakespeare chooses to create the imageRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay example2165 Words   |  9 Pagesrenaissance that inspired the nation and brought uplift. Therefore, this age holds great significance. Under Queen Elizabeth guidance and rule, the prosperity of the nation rose and patriotism brought romantic spirit, youthful freshness and themes of love to the field of literature so it is considered as one of the splendid ages of English literature. Elizabeth herself was a great writer and she used to write poetry and speeches and similarly there was a great flourishing in the field of literatureRead MoreEssay about The Merchant of Venice2939 Words   |  12 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays for a variety of reasons. Written in sixteenth-century England, where anti-Semitism was common and the presence of Jews was not, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human difference. The play is especially tricky to examine in today’s society, as its anti-Semitic themes and language can be uncomfortable to face in a world post-Holocaust. Additionally, the depiction of the relationship between

Major Events That Led to the American Revolution

The American Revolution was a war between the 13 British Colonies in North America and Great Britain. It lasted from  April 19, 1775, to  Sept. 3, 1783, and resulted in independence for the colonies. Timeline of the War The following timeline describes the events that led up to the American Revolution,  beginning with the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. It follows the thread of increasingly unpopular British policies against the American colonies until the colonists objections and actions led to open hostility. The war itself would last from 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord until the official end of hostilities in February 1783. The Treaty of Paris was signed in September of that year to officially end the war. 1763 February 10: The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War. After the war, the British continue to fight a number of Indian rebellions, including one led by Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa Indians. The financially draining war, combined with the increased military presence for protection, will be the impetus for many future taxes and actions of the British government against the colonies. October 7: The Proclamation of 1763 is signed, forbidding settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This area is to be set aside and governed as Indian territory. 1764 April 5: Grenville Acts pass in parliament. These include a number of acts aimed at raising revenue to pay for the French and Indian War debts, along with the cost of administering the new territories granted at the end of the war. They also include measures to increase the efficiency of the American customs system. The most objectionable part was the Sugar Act, known in England as the American Revenue Act. It increased duties on items ranging from sugar to coffee to textiles. April 19: The Currency Act passes Parliament, prohibiting the colonies from issuing legal tender paper money. May 24: A Boston town meeting is held to protest the Grenville measures. Lawyer and future legislator James Otis (1725–1783) first discusses the complaint of taxation without representation and calls for the colonies to unite. June 12–13: The Massachusetts House of Representatives creates a Committee of Correspondence to communicate with the other colonies about their grievances. August: Boston merchants begin a policy of nonimportation of British luxury goods as a form of protest against British economic policies. This later spreads to other colonies. 1765 March 22: The Stamp Act passes in parliament. It is the first direct tax on the colonies. The purpose of the tax is to help pay for the British military stationed in America. This act is met with greater resistance, and the cry against taxation without representation increases. March 24: The Quartering Act goes into effect in the colonies, requiring residents to provide housing for British troops stationed in America. May 29: Attorney and orator Patrick Henry (1836–1899) begins the discussion of the Virginia Resolutions, asserting that only Virginia has the right to tax itself. The House of Burgesses adopts some of his less radical statements, including the right to self-government. July: Sons of Liberty organizations are founded in towns across the colonies in order to fight against the stamp agents, often with outright violence. October 7–25: The Stamp Act Congress occurs in New York City. It includes representatives from Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. A petition against the Stamp Act is created to be delivered to King George III. November 1: The Stamp Act goes into effect and all business is basically stopped as colonists refuse to use the stamps. 1766 February 13: Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) testifies before the British Parliament about the Stamp Act and warns that if the military is used to enforce it, this could lead to open rebellion. March 18: Parliament repeals the Stamp Act. However, the Declaratory Act is passed, which gives the British government the power to legislate any laws of the colonies without restriction. December 15: The New York Assembly continues to fight against the Quartering Act, refusing to allocate any funds for housing the soldiers. The crown suspends the legislature on December 19. 1767 June 29: The Townshend Acts pass parliament, introducing a number of external taxes—including duties on items like paper, glass, and tea. Additional infrastructure is set up to ensure enforcement in America. October 28: Boston decides to reinstate nonimportation of British goods in response to the Townshend Acts. December 2: Philadelphia lawyer John Dickinson (1738–1808) publishes Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies, explaining the issues with British actions to tax the colonies. It is highly influential. 1768 February 11: Former tax collector and politician Samuel Adams (1722–1803) sends a letter with the approval of the Massachusetts Assembly arguing against the Townshend Acts. It is later protested by the British government. April: An increasing number of legislative assemblies support Samuel Adams letter. June: After a confrontation over Customs violations, merchant and politician John Hancocks (1737–1793) ship Liberty is seized in Boston. Customs officials are threatened with violence and escape to Castle William in Boston Harbor. They send out a request for help from British troops. September 28: British warships arrive to help support the customs officials in Boston Harbor. October 1: Two British regiments arrive in Boston to maintain order and enforce customs laws. 1769 March: A growing number of key merchants support the non-importation of goods listed in the Townshend Acts. May 7: British military man George Washington (1732–1799) presents nonimportation resolutions to the Virginia House of Burgesses. Proclamations are sent out from Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee (1756–1818) to King George III (1738–1820). May 18: After the Virginia House of Burgesses is dissolved, Washington and the delegates meet at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia, to endorse the nonimportation agreement. 1770 March 5: The Boston Massacre occurs, which results in five colonists being killed and six injured. This is used as a propaganda piece against the British military. April 12: The English crown partially repeals the Townshend Acts except for the duties on tea. 1771 July: Virginia becomes the last colony to abandon the nonimportation pact after the repeal of the Townshend Acts. 1772 June 9: The British customs vessel Gaspee is attacked off the coast of Rhode Island. The men are set ashore and the boat is burned. September 2: The English crown offers a reward for the capture of those who burned the Gaspee. The offenders are to be sent to England for trial, which upsets many colonists as it violates self-rule. November 2: A Boston town meeting led by Samuel Adams results in a 21-member committee of correspondence to coordinate with other Massachusetts towns against the threat to self-rule. 1773 May 10: The Tea Act goes into effect, retaining the import tax on tea and giving the East India Company the ability to undersell colonial merchants. December 16: The Boston Tea Party occurs. After months of growing consternation with the Tea Act, a group of Boston activists dressed as Mohawk Indians and boarded tea ships anchored in Boston Harbor in order to dump 342 casks of tea into the water. 1774 February: All colonies except North Carolina and Pennsylvania have created committees of correspondence. March 31: The Coercive Acts pass in parliament. One of these is the Boston Port Bill, which does not allow any shipping except for military supplies and other approved cargo to go through the port until the customs duties and the cost of the Tea Party are paid for. May 13: General Thomas Gage (c. 1718–1787), the commander of all British forces in the American colonies, arrives in Boston with four regiments of troops. May 20: Additional Coercive Acts are passed. The Quebec Act is termed intolerable as it moved part of Canada into areas claimed by Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia. May 26: The Virginia House of Burgesses is dissolved. June 2: A revised and more onerous Quartering Act is passed. September 1: General Gage seizes the Massachusetts Colonys arsenal at Charlestown. September 5: The First Continental Congress meets with 56 delegates at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia. September 17: The Suffolk Resolves are issued in Massachusetts, urging that the Coercive Acts are unconstitutional. October 14: The First Continental Congress adopts a Declaration and Resolves against the Coercive Acts, the Quebec Acts, the Quartering of troops, and other objectionable British actions. These resolutions include the rights of the colonists, including that of life, liberty, and property. October 20: A Continental Association is adopted to coordinate nonimportation policies. November 30: Three months after meeting Benjamin Franklin, British philosopher and activist Thomas Paine (1837–1809) immigrates to Philadelphia. December 14: Massachusetts militiamen attack the British arsenal at Fort William and Mary in Portsmouth after being warned of a plan to station troops there. 1775 January 19: The Declarations and Resolves are presented to parliament. February 9: Massachusetts is declared in a state of rebellion. February 27: Parliament accepts a conciliatory plan, removing many of the taxes and other issues brought up by the colonists. March 23: Patrick Henry gives his famous Give me liberty or give me death, speech at the Virginia Convention. March 30: The crown endorses the New England Restraining Act that does not allow for trade with countries other than England and also bans fishing in the North Atlantic. April 14: General Gage, now the governor of Massachusetts, is ordered to use any force necessary to apply all British acts and to stop any buildup of a colonial militia. April 18–19: Considered by many to be the beginning of the actual American Revolution, the Battles of Lexington and Concord begin with the British heading to destroy a colonial arms depot in Concord Massachusetts.

What Does Beauty Mean - 1433 Words

What does beauty mean to you? Often times people surgically change their appearance to feel better about themselves. A Majority of the time people are unsatisfied with their bodies, so they alter their looks. These individuals look up to celebrities who have paid thousands of dollars to look a particular way. Cosmetic surgeons are being bombarded by star struck clients demanding specific features of celebrities. Some of the victims believe that getting surgery to look like a celebrity will put them on track to becoming famous. Becoming famous is often vital to this kind of crowd, so they will do whatever it will take to draw further attention to themselves. Aspiring celebrities tend to go the whole nine yards to be beautiful; they will go to extreme measures for attention. The most common thing an aspiring artist/celebrity would do to become a bigger brand is exploiting themselves. Different ways a celebrity can exploit themselves is displaying nudity, and receiving plastic surgery. As stated, â€Å"I’m Doing it with class, cause I got a big ass† this quote was stated by superstar Kimberly Noel Kardashian also known as Kim K, who was an up and coming celebrity in the year of 2006. She was best friends with famous celebrity Paris Hilton, better known as her closet pet and her assistant on the show of â€Å"The Simple Life†. Mrs. Kardashian-West really did not become relevant until she started dating singer Ray J, also known as Brandy Norwood’s brother. According to www.break.com,Show MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Beauty Pageants741 Words   |  3 Pagesideas of what women should look like. If a woman does not m eet the criteria of beauty then she is seen as less important than others. Beauty pageants encourage people to rate women based on superficial standards. All over the world, people begin to acquire faulty ideas of what women should strive to be like. Pageants in general highlight appearances as an important factor of character, while lowering the self esteem of girls and forcing them to try and put a mask over their flaws. Beauty pageantsRead MoreIdentity and Ideology Beyond Death in Emily Dickinsons Poem â€Å"I Died for Beauty†1590 Words   |  7 PagesDickinson had a fascination with death and mortality throughout her life as a writer. She wrote many poems that discussed what it means not only to die, but to be dead. According to personal letters, Dickinson seems to have remained agnostic about the existence of life after death. In a letter written to Mrs. J. G. Holland, Emily implied that the presence of death alone is what makes people feel the need for heaven: â€Å"If roses had not faded, and frosts had never come, and one had not fallen here andRead MoreBeauty Definition Essay1411 Words   |  6 PagesBeauty The ways people view beauty have changed over time. Beauty has many definitions, and so many people think about it in different ways. Some people like external beauty and some like internal beauty and many people like both together. Beauty controls how people live and think, but it depends on which definition of beauty they choose to believe in. We live in a world that misunderstands the true meanings of pretty much everything. Thousands of years ago people knew and understood what theRead MoreDefinition Of Beauty Essay749 Words   |  3 PagesBeauty is commonly defined as the combination of qualities that pleases our senses, mostly our sight. Despite this, throughout many years, the concept of beauty has been considered one of the hardest riddles to solve. This happens not only because of all of what it covers, but also because of society’s beauty patterns. Society has been in charge in making people, mostly girls, to feel inferior because they do not complete this â₠¬Å"beauty standards† in order to be considered beautiful. We need to beRead MoreBeauty Is in the Eyes of the Beholder1068 Words   |  5 PagesMonica Isamat ENC 1101 Mrs. Schledorn 22 Nov 2012 Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder When you hear the word beautiful, what do you think of? Do you think of a blue sky, a flower, a rainbow? When it comes to the beauty of people, many people have different outlooks. Having true inner and outer beauty is what every women dream about. We are surprised when a women has both inner and outer beauty since we generally separate the category by stating if a women is beautiful on the outside,Read MoreThe Samurais Garden and The Fault in Our Stars Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesWhen it comes to beauty, many people don’t understand what it means. Others might have an idea. What beauty really means that it is not about what someone looks like on the outside, it is what is on the inside. Someone could look less attractive than others, but have such a beautiful personality that it really does not matter what they look like. It goes the same for if people are beautiful on the outside then they definitely won’t be beautiful on the inside. Then, there are some people that areRead MoreSocrates Speech On Love1439 Words   |  6 Pagesusually beautiful and good. Human beings begin by loving physical beauty in another person, then progress to love of intellect and from that level to see the connection among people and ultimately, the lover of beauty enjoys a kind of revelation or vision of universal beauty, which we find ourselves in the pursuit of during our own study of Plato’s work. The Symposium awakens our Love for the mysteries of the divine, eternal beauty, and at the same time reminds us of our distance from it. Love appearsRead MorePhilosophy: Beauty is not Morality 1395 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout history, beauty has been seen as a value to humans. Beauty practices start as far back as foot binding and continues up to today with cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction. On every billboard, magazine, and commercial citizens are reminded that they are not as physically attractive as they could be and there is a solutions to their problem. In his analysis of beauty, Kant states that beauty is morality. Despite the fact physical beauty is highly valued in society, it is not the drivingRead More Different Perceptions of Beauty in Nature Essay1558 Words   |  7 PagesDifferent Perceptions of Beauty in Nature Ralph Waldo Emerson derived his philosophy of transcendentalism from ideas of Plato. According to Emerson, one has to have a very sensual relationship with beauty and nature in order to reach this transcendence. However, Emerson’s outlook on beauty as written in Nature is very different from what Plato wrote in The Republic. Interestingly, these differences will result in different methods for attaining the same state of transcendence. I believe, howeverRead More Beauty and the Beast1639 Words   |  7 PagesWhat pops into your mind when you hear the word ‘love?’ Do you think of a person who loved you or someone you’ve admired? We, as human beings, are made to love. We even distinguish love as family, romantic, and selfless love: also known as, storge, eros, and agape. As much as we desire to love others, we hold high values of being loved by others. Humanity’s great appreciation towards love is so great, it is even portrayed in fairy tales. Little Mermaid is a story about a mermaid who exchanges her

China vs. american economy Free Essays

China’s economy will become the biggest in the world sometime very soon. According to the World Bank, the size of China’s economy is $10. 1 trillion, compared with $14. We will write a custom essay sample on China vs. american economy or any similar topic only for you Order Now 6 trillion for the U. S. , based on purchasing power parity (which adjusts exchange rates to account for the different prices people pay for goods and services across countries). But China is narrowing the gap in a hurry. Over the past 10 years, the annual real growth of China’s gross domestic product averaged 10. 5 percent, compared with 1. ercent in the U. S. The Chinese economy increased at an annual rate of 9. 6 percent in the first half of 2011, vs. a rate of less than 1 percent in the U. S. America’s days as top dog of global output are numbered, at best. Should we care? People from Thomas Friedman to Niall Ferguson cite the looming change at the top of the world economic rankings as a bellwether of broader American decline. â€Å"We are the United States of Deferred Maintenance. China is the People’s Republic of Deferred Gratification. They save, invest, and build. We spend, orrow, and patch,† complained Friedman in a recent New York Times column. And yet having the world’s largest economy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be†and you need look no further than the history of China and the U. S. to see that. The swelling size of China’s economy may be a source of pride to the Chinese people, but America is still by far the better place to live†and will remain so for a long time. Although economists are skeptical about China’s ability to sustain its current levels of growth, most agree it is only a matter of a few years before the Middle Kingdom’s How to cite China vs. american economy, Papers

Case Study of Prince Edward Island Company-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Case study of Prince Edward Island Preserve Company. Answer: Introduction The Prince Edward Island Preserves Company (PEI Preserves) is a manufacturer and retailer of specialty food products located in New Glasgow, P.E.I. The company is founded by Bruce MacNaughton in 1985 which produces high quality specialty foods such as jams preserves, honeys, teas, and coffees using only the highest quality farm gate produce and ingredients. PEI Preserves then diversified and expanded to a wider range of services including restaurants, gift shops, and gardens and had gained popularity not only in other provinces in the country but also globally. Despite the companys success and recognition in its products, it had failed to secure the companys financial need and had gone into receivership in May 2007. Although MacNaughton had been able to repurchase the New Glasgow shop/caf, the adjacent garden property and inventory, PEI preserves needed a feasible product-market strategy to turn around his company. Since the company had been built on gut and emotion, rather than analysis, MacNaughton acknowledged that it is not sufficient for the future. Presented with many growth options to expand its manufacturing and serve a larger market size, the New Glasgow factorys capacity is too small to meet the demands of a larger market. Given the time constraints and lowest net income to revenue ratio, MacNaughton has some major decisions to make. The company needs to have a clear vision, strategy goal and objective critical to the future direction and long-term growth of the company. With a proper analysis on the external and internal (SWOT) environment, MacNaughton can improve PEI Preserves competitive business position. Problem Statement PEI Preserves Companys over diversification and lack of strategy has led to financial losses and an urgent need for direction. Although the company was founded on instinct rather than analysis, the company needs a feasible product-market strategy maximize. Analysis SWOT Analysis PEI Preserves should include SWOT analysis in strategy planning to identify the internal and external factors helpful in matching the firms resources and capabilities to the competitive environment that it operates. Strengths MacNaughtons charisma and personal customer interaction creates a great experience to people especially tourists when visiting the New Glasgow site. Capability to source the greatest quality fruits and raw materials and producing unique and high-quality specialty food products different from its competitors due to its higher fruit content and with champagne, liqueur or whiskey that is not currently in the market. Customer brand loyalty due to its unique food products that consumers buy will regardless of the competition. Broad product mix which includes a wide range of specialized products. Respectable local reputation helps attracts visitors that comes during the summer months. Food products not subject to the 5% national goods and services tax or PEIs 10% provincial sales tax which gives and advantage over other gift products that firms would normally be stressing. Weaknesses Inefficient management due to Bruce MacNaughton frugality and not hiring a management team that could assist him in planning and implementing strategies that the company needed to prosper. Difficulty to attract and retain quality staff due to seasonal operation. Seasonal business structure since Prince Edward Island is mostly a summer vacation destination and most of the companys income is generated during this time only. Limited product promotion since PEI preserves limit itself to personal contact and customer mail order. Cash flow shortage due to the seasonal nature of the business since a large percentage of the income is generated during the summer when visitors are at the island. Opportunities Increasing demand for high-end product both locally and globally. Expansion to two different regions such as Toronto and Japan which can help the company with the cash shortage. Extensive distribution channel including store wholesale in other provinces in the country, hotel chains, and major airlines that will help expand the companys brand. Threats Highly competitive market since the gift and specialization food industry has a few but large players, all competing in the quality, taste, and plan to attract consumers. Array of possible substitutes due to many competitors trying to replicate its products. Competitive pricing capacity due to high priced products, many competitors will try to lower their prices to attract PEI preserves customers. Foreign market awareness and adaptability due to varied consumer preferences from one to country to another, thus a clear understanding of the geographical market that the firm want to enter should be considered carefully. Financial Analysis As evident from the exhibit five, an outline relating to the financial workings has been provided for the PEI Preserve Co. An illustrations obtained from the exhibit five states that the sales have grown by 14.3%. During the financial year of 2008 the company has reported a sales figure for Caf 494160 while in the subsequent year of 2009 the total amount of sales stood 565,000 marking a rise of approximately 14.3 per cent. On the other hand, the cost of sales has increasingly rose by 28% representing that the gross margin has grown slowly and steadily (Scott, 2015). Exhibit five also represents that the company has reported shortage of cash. This is because the cash from the operating line stood negatively to -55000. An assertion can be bought forward in this regard by stating that the firm faces severe shortage of cash. The major factor contributing to the shortage of cash is because of the seasonal nature of the manufacturing operations (Leuz, Wysocki, 2016). Additionally, PEI Preserve Co has failed to secure the appropriate finance to meet the short term business obligations. The major reason contributing to the shortage of cash is because of the higher amount of interest paid by the company on the operating loan. Additionally, the exhibit five represents that the interest and bank charges also included the interest paid by the company on the long term debt and principle. Consequently, the total amount of bank charges stood 95,124 representing a greater level of debt undertaken by PEI Preserve Co. The financial analysis provides that the rise in earnings prior to interest and tax was on the higher side in respect to the growth reported on sales. The rise on sales was reported low in respect to the rise in total assets (Nobes, 2014). An assertion can be bought forward by stating that the rise in sales was higher because of the rise in price by 10% instead of the other factors. Issues Identify issues based on the above analysis. Some of the key issues that were faced by Prince Edward Island Preserve are listed below: Problems relating to cash flow of organization- The success of the diversified products also came with the problems and financing factor was not suitable for the needs of company. Several periods of severe cash shortages were associated with the seasonal nature of manufacturing operations. There was a considerable growth in deficit and the company and in the beginning of 2007, company lost $ 313000. Cash shortage was witnessed in department of cafe and diary bar. Difficulties were witnessed in making payment to creditors and the line of credit by bank was reduced to zero (Sheth Sisodia, 2015). Over diversification- It is ascertained from the case study that numerous products were developed by company ranging from variety of preserves along with mustard, vinegar, honey and repackaged tea. There was the development of diverse product lines. Preferences of consumers were widely diversified. 50% total market demand for jam was occupied by Strawberry jam and there was introduction of more and more varieties of jam simultaneously. Prince Edward Island Reserve had also developed other line of products such as speciality food market and gift and gourmet. Moreover, it also introduced some luxury products that could be sold with a proper marketing strategy and over the years, several forms of diversification occurred. This made problematic for company to concentrate of their specification and targeting a particular segment of market. When the customers are presented with too many choices then there is a possibility of shutting down and diversification at product level is somewhat ri sky. Lack of efficiency in operation- Operations of business of restaurant was questionable because gross margin was increasing at slower pace. This slow increase in gross margin was questionable cost of sales increased more than growth in sales. Process of production of company is labour incentives and this has lower down the productivity of organization. There is no automation of bottling process resulting from decorative fringe that is required to be done by labours. However, there is no guarantee that the product has the requirement of fringe for the bottling process is essential. Moreover, no proper cost benefit analysis was performed by the restaurant and this has resulted in the loss from operations. The main area of concern was the operations of company and it was perceived that the management is not able to take the advantage of opportunities for making the operation process efficient (Houston et al., 2014). Lack of strategy- There is no viable strategy for marketing the products of Prince Edward Island Preserve. It was required by the organization to formulate proper corporate strategy because the industry in which organization is operating is considerably different from that of speciality foods and gifts. The restaurant business of the organization was not the suitable strategy as a part of expansion of business (Baldacchino, 2015). Therefore, the reason associated with the business making loss and negative generation of cash flow in certain department is inappropriate formulation of their strategy. Alternatives Alternative 1 Rethinking of the corporate strategy: One of the options of the PEI Preserve Co is that at the current stage the company is required to think about the corporate strategy whether the firm wishes to continue the business of restaurant. The market of restaurant is considered to be entirely different from the gifts and speciality food market having little collaborations (Luez Wysocki, 2016). Even though the restaurant industry is bringing constant amount of revenues across the year for PEI Preserve Co the management is proving as the threat for the company and this is the major disadvantage. As the income statement collectively presents the financial performance both the restaurant it is difficult to gain the information which of the unit is yielding higher amount of profit for both the locations or just one of the unit. By gaining additional amount of information on the cost and revenues, PEI Preserve Co might be able to determine this options better. On the positive side discontinuing the business of restaurant would assist PEI Preserve Co in easing out the pressure on the vital resources of both the financial and the non-financial aspects (Martnez et al., 2015). By enhancing the financial health of PEI Preserve Co the firm would be in the better position of undertaking more rapid expansion in the areas of gifts and speciality foods market. This could be attained by expanding the business in Tokyo. Additionally, the Tokyo expansion can be gained through merely approaching the new banks that might be interested in offering finance to PEI Preserve Co at the favourable in terest rate. Alternative 2 Issuing preferred shares and expanding in the local market of Tokyo: The PEI Preserve Co can issue preferred shares though it might not be considered as the tax efficient method of raising finance but would provide the firm with much needed cash in meeting the short term obligations. An alternative option for PEI Preserve Co is to exploit the market of Tokyo. This is because the local market of Tokyo would provide PEI Preserve Co to gain massive advantage through lower cost of transport and marketing collaboration. The growing market of Tokyo would help the company in attracting the local consumer and consequently the firm can gain significant amount of market share (Deegan, 2013). Furthermore, another alternative for PEI Preserve Co is to open the retail store at the Japanese airport as this would enable the firm in attracting millions of tourists. On denoting the fact that The PEI Preserve Co does not have any sales agent in Tokyo. Therefore, it can be considered that opening a retail store at the Japanese airport and expanding the consumer base in Tokyo might be a better method of attracting several distributors in and around Tokyo. This would help in creating an alliance which could provide the opportunity of exploiting the Tokyo market. Alternative 3 Setting up the manufacturing unit in Japan: A different alternative for The PEI Preserve Co is that the company might consider setting up the manufacturing unit locally in Japan. The firm can additionally consider outsourcing manufacturing package as this would help in lower the import duties and margins for middleman which would represents a higher profit from the Japanese market (Schaltegger Burritt, 2017). Nevertheless, if the The PEI Preserve Co undertakes the decision of outsourcing, they must ensure controlling the quality. This is because the cost reducing outsourcing is pursued instead of undertaking the reducing outsourcing. Additionally, a large number of evidences has been obtained where the market of Tokyo is regarded as the growing market for the PEI Preserve Co. Even though the market might appear unknown for PEI Preserve Co but Bruce MacNoughton can learn about the Japanese market and specialty food market by learning about the culture (Zhang Andrew, 2014). Problems might arise relating to the high import tariff and rent in Tokyo which is unfavourable for the PEI Preserve Co but it can be a good market to exploit based on the presence of higher population density. Recommendation The general recommendations which can be provided to improve the overall efficiency of the company are given below: The company needs to critically think and change the operational process of the company such as reduce the over diversification which the company is currently engaged in and also overall improve the quality of the products of the company which can be shown by putting quality seals and meeting the licensing standard of domestic and foreign markets (Hooker, 2012). Another issue which the company faces is the seasonality problem in the products which the company is producing. The company can further expand into foreign markets where by introducing the products can reduce the overall seasonality problem of the company (Chang Chou, 2013). For example, the company has access to Japans market and therefore the company can tap into the Japanese consumer market and reduce the problem of seasonality. The company needs to send executives to japan in order to set up an effective retail and distribution system which can facilitate appropriate supply of the products of PEI Preserves in the market of japan (Armstrong et al., 2015). Another problem which the company faces is the crisis of liquidity requirements. The company needs to select the sources through which the company can have access to required funds. The sources of the funds can be equity and debt that is the company can issue shares or take up loans from a bank or other financial institution (Panigrahi, 2013). The business can tie up with a bank to provide to the financing requirements of the company. The company also needs to determine whether the restaurant business of the company is profitable or not and then decide whether to continue with the business or sell off the business. The alternatives as provided above clearly states that the company needs to expand in the market of Japan and also set up retail and distribution system and it is recommended that the company should focus on the expansion of the business in foreign markets. The company as per the plan should expand the markets in japan. Implementation Plan The company should be focusing on the expansion plan of the business into new markets. The targeted market of the company is Japan as the management of the company is of the view that the Japanese consumer market has potential and if they can successfully implement the business strategies in the Japanese market. Moreover, with the expansion of the business in Japanese market the issue of seasonality which the company faces can be reduced. The company first needs to analyze the market of Japan and ensure that the market is suitable for the products of the company. The management of the company needs to set an effective retail system which can support the distribution system for the product of the company. As per the market analysis of Japan, the annual consumption of jam in Japanese market is around 80000 tons in approx. Therefore it can be clearly identified that the market of Japan is clearly favorable for setting up the business of jam which is one of the activities which the PEI Preserves is engaged in. The imports of japan as per previous estimates show that the market almost makes around 8 to 9 percent of imports out of total imports for jam products. Various companies import jam products and utilizes the distribution system to take advantage of the favourable conditions present for the jam market. The company needs to analyze the market of Japan and also analyze the taste and preference patterns of the consumers. Importer who are engaged in the importing business in japan have been earning sales of 10 per cent. The management of the company needs to consider the following factors while considering setting up business in new market: Diversification as per preference: The management of the company should consider the taste and preference pattern of the local consumers of the market. In the case of jams, strawberry jams occupy the maximum percentage of market shares in comparison to other types of jams but it all depends on the taste and preference pattern of the consumers (Oyedijo, 2012). Amount on supply: Another consideration is the amount or quantity which is on offer. In normal circumstances the quantity which is on offer is 650 grams, 440 grams and 250 grams. The quantity of jam which is on offer depends on the marketability conditions, infrastructure and also on the local demand in the country. Price of the product: The management of the company also needs to decide on the price of the product as per the local conditions and demand and supply analysis in the country. Marketing Strategies of the Company: The marketing strategies of the company includes the sales promotion activities which the company engages in in order to maximise the sales of the product. In any new market the companies need to ensure that there are appropriate system of distribution and also appropriate infrastructure required for effective operation of the business (Morgan, Katsikeas Vorhies, 2012). The need for infrastructure and incorporating proper distribution system is to be supervised by the president of the company that is Bruce MacNaughton. Bruce needs to travel to japan personally and ensure that proper infrastructures are present in the market which the company can utilize in order to expand and operate efficiently in the new market. The president will also be making preparations of setting up the companys own distribution system, and also select potential sites for opening a retail store for the company. As per the plan of the management, the retail store and distribution system need to be developed and establish in a period one years time. The main factor which attracted the company to invest in Tokyo project is due to the immense benefit PEI Preserve Co. will be getting as such will be reducing the seasonality problem which the company is facing, and also bulid a brand name of the company in the market of Japan. The company will also be benefitting from the economie s of scale which are present in the market of japan if the company engages in large scale production utilizing the resources of the country considering the distribution system and supply chain system of the country. The risks which any company faces when entering a new market is the risks of competitors. PEI preserves co will also be facing tough competitions from the established companies of Japan. Moreover it will also have to compete with companies which are engaged in the business of importing jam products and distributing the same in the local market of japans. The management of the PEI preserves also needs to address the other issues which the company faces which are given below: Liquidity issues: The company faces serious liquidity issues which the management of the company needs to address if the company wants to improve the overall business efficiency of the company. The management of the company can finance the liquidity requirements by either taking a loan from banks or financial institutions or can issue equity shares which can raise the capital as required by the company. Operating Structure: The company needs to improve the core operating structure which the company is presently using. The company needs to critically rethink the operating system of the company and further redesign the operating structure of the company. Infrastructure: The management of the company needs to improve the infrastructure and distribution system which the company is currently operating with and also there is scope of improvement in the marketing strategies of the business such as introduction of promotional strategies and also introducing promotional strategies such gifts, lucky draw. Conclusion Thus it can be concluded that the PEI Preserves can make improvements in the strategies of the company which can lead to the overall development of the overall business. The company best option is to expand the business of the company in new markets as in this case the market of Japan is considered where the business is planning to expand. The company is also planning to issue preference shares in order to raise the capital requirement of the company. The infrastructure of the company and the distribution and supply chain system of the company is also to be adjusted as per the requirement of the new market. 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