Business Strategy - company analysis Assignment

Business Strategy - company analysis - Assignment Example Over the period of time, Foster’s Group has expanded into its existing as well as current markets by acquiring new businesses and developing its existing business lines. Due to this, firm has been able to launch different brands of beer, wine and soft drinks in Australia and other parts of the world. It is also critical to note that the Foster’s Group’s wine business specially in US is not doing well and it has also written down the value of the division in order to recognize the losses incurred. Firm has also been charged for the violation of the occupational health and safety Act of Victoria, Australia and was fined heavily due to the death of one of the workers. This report will present an external and internal analysis of Foster’s Group besides identifying three important strategic issues faced by the firm. This report will also identify two important strategic actions which firm can undertake beside presenting the recommendations. External Analysis Tw o of the most important tools for performing external analysis include PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis. ... Australia has one of the richest sources of natural resources and it is because of this reason that most of the foreign investment comes in the mining and minerals sector. During the current financial crisis, Australian economy remained well guarded due to the fact that majority of its trade takes place with China. (Economy Watch, 2011) Social Factors Total population of Australia is over 21 million1 with majority of population falling in the age bracket of 15-64 years. Such large population chunk therefore provides a really available market for the beer and other associated products manufactured and marketed by Foster’s. 92% of the population of the country is based upon White Population whereas 7% are Asians and 1% of the population comprises of aborigines. These statistics suggest that the social factors may be conducive for the firm to conduct its business with ease. Technological factors Industry for Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks does not particularly depends upon the techno logical changes however, technology can play its part in terms of advertising and marketing the products. Legal Factors Courts in the country are independent and put a real check over the unethical and illegal practices of the companies. Legislations such as occupational health and safety as well as anti-trust laws are in place to ensure that health and constructive competition exists within the economy. Environmental Factors Environmental factors in this industry does not directly affect the industry however, the overall impact of the industrial waste as well as the dumping of empty beer cans can pose significant threat to the environment. Porter’s Five Forces Threat of New Entrants This industry

Analysing The Theories Of Social Behavior Sociology Essay

Analysing The Theories Of Social Behavior Sociology Essay The Green Mile movie was fundamentally made to show the harm that human beings inflicted on other members of their species, some degree of corruption and high levels of crime in the society that called for large number of executions in Green Mile. Seemingly, there was little or no regard for morality and obedience to social norms governing the society. Greem Mile was a term reffering to death row in Louisiana State Penintiary, where prisoners were held as they waited for their execution. The movie illustrates the true nature of death penalty, showing how cruel and barbaric it was (Darabont). The symbolic nature of the film portrays a care-free type of society, whereby Eduards adopted mouse represents freedom. The mouse could come and go away without any restrictions. He was never trapped and he seemed to fully enjoy life as clearly seen through his daily circus activities. This clearly shows the level of freedom enjoyed by members of this society, without cultural or social barriers. This is evidently so due to high levels of crime comitted. Too many executions were carried out in Green Mile (Darabont). This is a clear presentation of Durkheims theory of functionalism perspective which embraces crime as a normal and functional practice in any society. According to this theory, crime is normal because in every society, there exists some level of crime. It is equally functional as it serves to reinforce social norms, provide the raw material for social change and provide a kind of safety valve for social discontent, where people could simply disobey the law, rather than se eking to change it (Anderson and Kaspersen 158). In Green Mile, everyone was seeking to harm the other. The society lacked compassion and had no respect for humanity. There was no social order and stability but only a collective will to maintain order through executions. This is a society where killing was the order of the day The parents of a girls believed to have been killed by Coffey had a venom in their minds against him. Percy and Maniacal prison inmate Sam Rockwell sought nothing more than perverse destruction. Even the prison guards had one sole purpose, to kill (Darabont). This is in line with Durkheims theory, who insists that crime is both functional and inevitable in any society (Anderson and Kaspersen 28). Corruption was evident in this society. It was revealed that Percy was a nephew to the governors wife, and his powerful political connections got him hired as a prison guard. He had no regard for work ethics. He derived pleasure from frightening, humiliating and hurting other people, contrary to what was expected of him as a prison guard (Darabont). His deviance began with the society as explained by Durkheims theory of functionalist perspective. The societys collective sentiments seem to be too weak to prevent any deviance from the law as clearly seen through corrupt acquisition of his job using political connections. This shows that there was neither constant reaffirming of shared values nor was there passing of the same values from one generation to another, a critical situation responsible for the collapse of this society. People such as Percy and the Governors wife do not seem to follow any collective society conscience. They are naturally selfish by all means and only preffer t o satisfy their own interests regardless of who is hurt in the process. Even law and primary socialization of the family does not seem to stop them (Anderson and Kaspersen 258). Coffeys magic healing power could be said to represent perfect power of God which was at work. Even though the society was going through a period of social strain and dramatic change, religion could playe a key role in bringing back the shared norms and values of the society thus restoring social order as well as helping the society to distigush the good in those around us and resist evil (Anderson and Kaspersen 541). Conclusion This paper has discussed Emile Durkheims theory of Functionalist Perspective with special emphasis on events witnessed in the movie Green Mile. From issues discussed, the movie seems to have targeted the corrupt leaders and unjust systems of justice that contributed to selfishness as people undermined social expectations that call for respect of rights and needs of others and preffered to look after their own interests regardless of who was hurt in the process. This is evidently seen in unjust execution of Coffey who is believed to have been innocent. People in this society only seem to obey their natural state of greed and selfishness, a condition that has accelerated erossion of society values and led to total disregard for order and harmony. This is anomie which is very dangerous and harmful to all as seen through charcters like Percy and Maniacal prison inmate Sam Rockwell whose main desire was to destroy and kill. The power of collective conscience, social norms and values in th is society have been weakened through external shocks. However, through education and religion, society values and collective conscienceness could be restored to bring back the shared norms, values and social order. social systems could be highly valuable in working to maintain equilibrium and to return to it after such external shocks that have disturbed balance among members of this society. Strong emphasis put on socialization of members of the society into basic values and norms of the society could help the society to reach a consensus. A society should be viewed as totally united with all parts of institutions working in oneness and quasiamatic fashion toward achieving overall social equilibrium.

Faulkners Light in August - Point of View :: Light August Essays

Light in August - Point of View    Most of Light in August's story is told by a third-person narrator. In some third-person novels the narrator is omniscient (all-knowing) and objective. In others he takes the point of view of the central character. In Light in August the narrator is often objective, as, for example, when reporting dialogue. But what is unusual about this novel is the way in which the narrator's point of view shifts frequently from one character to another. And even when reporting from the point of view of one character alone, the narrator sometimes stays on the surface of that character's speech and thoughts, while at other times he has access to memories so deep the character himself may not be consciously aware of them.    The difference between this shifting point of view and the point of view of an omniscient narrator is important. For example, you first hear of Joe Christmas from Byron's point of view. Byron seems a sympathetic character, so you tend to accept what he says. Later you see Joe Christmas from his own point of view but without access to his deepest thoughts and feelings. When (in Chapter 6) the narrator finally dives into Joe's buried memories, you get a completely different picture of him. But in Chapter 19 you see his final escape and murder from the point of view of Percy Grimm. One of Faulkner's purposes in this approach is to contrast public images with private realities. The Joe Christmas that the town of Jefferson knows is different from the Joe Christmas seen from within, and Faulkner's shifting point of view keeps you aware of that and other such contrasts.    Occasionally one of Light in August's characters tells his story in the first person, for example, the furniture dealer in Chapter 21.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

A lot of people assume that one’s daughter is a lot like their mother, and a lot of times that is true, in some aspects. I can tell you that my wisdom and common sense came from my mom. My sense of humor, my laugh, my eyes, and my strength also came from my mom. My mom is the reason I have chosen the career path I have chosen. So, I have a lot of traits in resemblance of my mom, the only trait I lack is her addiction. Growing up I imagined my life to be perfect, as I guess all children usually do.But as the years went on, I slowly began to realize that my life was far from perfect. At eight years old, my parents split up and I was forced to move to the DFW Metropolis to live with my grandparents. Living there I began to realize that my mother wasn’t who I thought she was. She was hardly ever home, her and my grandmother were fighting continuously when I had always known of them to be the best of friends. The fighting escalated more and more, year after year until finall y my mom had enough and we left.I was in fifth grade at the time attending a middle school in the area and my mom and I had left my comfort zone to move in with her friend from work, which was probably the worst decision ever made. While living there I found out that my mom was an alcoholic. Her absence started to occur more often. I would spend my nights lying wide awake in bed waiting for her to get home from where ever she spent her nights; I would call her over and over again until she answered the phone and told me she was on her way back home. I had discovered my mom was far from perfect and so was my life.After a disagreement occurred between my mom and her friend, we were on the move once again. This time we actually got our own place, a one bedroom apartment further away from my grandparents. I was forced to change schools, my first year in middle school. The apartments we lived in were located right behind the school, which was a huge convenience to my mom considering she no longer had to wake up early in the morning to take me to school, this way I could just walk. Living alone with my mother was a fearful life for such a young kid.I never knew what was going to happen. There was always people over late at night, my mom and her friends would lock themselves in her room for hours and not even bother to let me come in with the sound of a knock. I was invisible to her. I would wake up in the mornings with her past out on the couch, surrounded my empty beer and liquor bottles, the house reeked of a skunk odor, and there were pipes on the end tables of the couch. I spent my mornings cleaning up after my mother in fear of someone finding out what I was living with and taking me away.Little did I know, no matter what I did, sooner or later I would be taken away. One night in November, 2003 my mom had taken me over to her friend’s house for dinner. While upstairs watching television, I heard my mom call up to me telling me that we’re leaving. As I walked down stairs I saw that my mom was crying when she walked out the door, whenever I followed her outside she was on the ground convulsing in to an epileptic seizure. The cops and ambulance were called and they had found prescription pills in her purse that were not made out to her and accused her of taking them.After my mom went to the hospital my aunt came and got me and I spent the night with her. The next morning after I woke up, my grandparents were over at my aunt’s house. Everyone, excluding my mom was sitting around the kitchen table talking. As I entered the room they all got quiet and my grandma had asked me to sit down. My grandmother then asked me how I would like to come back and live with them. I was confused. She had not mentioned my mother coming back just me. So, I asked. â€Å"What about my mom? † She answered me. â€Å"Your mother can no longer take care of you.She is sick and needs to get help. † For some strange reason at twelve yea rs old, I understood exactly what she was talking about. I accepted the offer and by that night, I was back at my grandparent’s house. Living with my grandparents made me feel more at ease, I was put back in to my original schools with my original friends and I still got to see my mother here and there. Seeing here every once and a while made me believe she was better. She was happy when I saw her, she wasn’t so upset, she looked beautiful all the time, and she looked like my mother.But all of that was a show. By the time I was in the eighth grade, my mother had slowly became a stranger in my life and when I found out she was arrested and charged a year and a half in prison due to drug charges, my mother was no one in my life. I got letters pretty frequently from her, asking how school was, telling me how sorry she was to have put me through what she did, explaining to me her passion for God that she had picked up on while being locked away, but no matter how many lett ers she wrote to me, I could never find it in me to respond.By the time I received her tenth letter or so, I was tired of getting them. I finally wrote her. I wrote her a one paged, short and sweet letter, explaining to her that I was fine and so was everyone else, I told her school was good, and I answered all of her questions she had written me in her previous letters. Then, I went on to say that I no longer wanted any contact with her until she grew up and realized how to be a mom. That was the first and only time I spoke to my mom while being in jail.After a year and a half went by and my mom got out, I was already a freshman in high school and living my life with no worries. I did see her on the day she was released, I gave her a hug and a kiss and told her that I loved her and always would but my mind had still not changed. That was the day she informed me that I had my mothers attitude. â€Å"Like mother, like daughter† she said and I cringed at the though of being lik e her. My mom had decided on her own, without a judge or a probation officer forcing her to do so, to move in to a sober living home.Of course I was proud of her and happy for her, but I was not getting too excited due to the face that I was not convinced she was sober. It wasn’t until her one year sobriety celebration that I realized this was the real deal this time. My grandparents were slowly, but surely forgiving my mother for what she had done, and so was I. A year went by and my mother stayed sober, two years went by and my mother was still sober, a few months before her third year of sobriety my mom had asked if I would do her the honors by giving her, her third year sobriety chip.I was stunned at the thought, horrified to say the least. I had no idea what I was going to say, but I accepted and I am more than happy today that I did so. I wrote a little speech for that night, and when I stepped up on to the platform and stood in front of the microphone, looking out at a ll the addicts, seeing my mom looking up at me, I then realized that I finally had my mother back. I took a deep breath and I started to speak and I broke down in to sobbing tears. I finally got control of myself and started to speak and simply spoke out two sentences, â€Å"Three ears ago today, I lost my mother to drugs and alcohol.But I am happy to say that not only do I have my mom back, I have my best friend back. † I would proudly say I am just like my mother today. I would go on to explain that I share the same compassion, strength, courage and wisdom as my mother does. I do not cringe at the comment of â€Å"like mother, like daughter†, I accept it and cherish it because I now idol my mom. I had a rough childhood, and even a rough beginning into adulthood, but I can honestly say that I would not change a thing that has happened to me.

A Just Society

A just society is a type of society that promotes the well being of everyone in the society. It makes it possible for people to pursue their common good. It protects people from external harm.This kind of society does not live in a state of anarchy but strives to create a utopian society. (Quigley, 1961) For a society to live in harmony and peace, there are some rights and freedom that the people are entitled to which makes them work towards a just society. For instance certain rights and liberties must be granted such as political liberties. (Quigley, 1961) This involves expansion of democratic space and institutions and the press should enjoy its freedom.The people and political activists must have freedom of speech as well as freedom of assembly. Other freedoms are; association, the rights and freedoms within the rule of law (Rawls, 1993)).The freedom to set people free and protect them from slavery, freedom to move around without intimidation or fear, and freedom to work based on one’s decision as long as the occupation is within the law. Other liberty is of conscience since it greatly impacts on the social relationships rooted in philosophy, morality and religion. (Rawls, 1971)If the people are not given certain rights and liberties to enjoy, they are likely to rebel and cause chaos. The rebellion is used as a way of asserting their authority in the matter and coerces the existing institutions to accord them their rights. (Rawls, 1971)Civil DisobedienceOne way through which people demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the way the society is run. If a society does not have social, political institutions which can be informal or formal, and proper economic structures it is likely to experience civil disobedience. A society which is dominated by civil disobedience is not just. This is because people do not have respect for the law or other structures put in place in the society for the well being of all. (Rawls, 1993)  Corruption is one indicator of a society which is not just due to civil disobedience. For instance, well connected individuals and influential politicians abuse the existing social and political structures and amasses wealth for themselves at the expense of the common man. This has led to widening disparity between the rich and the poor. (Quigley, 1961) Such individuals have means of influencing higher authorities and therefore they are able to access public funds and other resources for their own personal gains. (Atkinson, 1982)As a result, there has been public outcry and desire to throw such people out of the government and public offices that they hold. Members of the society have resulted in staging demonstrations to express their grievances. The money which is stolen from the public coffers is meant to develop he society and generate stable sources of income for the society. (Rawls, 1993)There have been untold crimes being committed by young people as a result of civil disobedience of those in higher autho rities. Corruption which is a fruit of civil disobedience, has made the young   people to commit crimes after being rewarded handsome rewards by their sponsors, who are usually well connected individuals.Despite the evils committed, these individuals are not charged with any offence because they can influence and manipulate the judicial system. According to Rawl, he asserted everyone is in possession of an undisputable desire for justice; the society’s welfare as a whole can’t underestimate it. Therefore lack of justice, breeds acts of corruption and some people are denied freedom and yet others share a greater good. The coercion assumes that the citizens are reasonable. (Rawls, 1993)The commission for human rights does not do much to promote the rights of the people and thus the level of civil disobedience has increased overtime. The commission should look into the causes of corruption and tackle the problem from the grassroots. For instance, it is believed that som e of the causes of corruption are greed for wealth, low income levels, loose moral values, and lack of accountability on those handling financial matters. (Atkinson, 1982)Corruption has also led to inequality and total disregard of human rights. Equality and human rights are the basic concepts towards a just society. The human rights are evident in the way people live their everyday lives at all levels of the society. The social structure needs to cater for the needs of everyone to avoid corruption at low levels before it graduates to higher levels. For example transparency should be emphasized right from primary school and rewards should not be given to people for committing evil. (Rawls, 1993)The most notable forms of corruption involve massive looting of the public funds which translate into billions of dollars and sale of public corporations. Others involve embezzlement of money meant to pay employees. This contributes to unjust society. (Quigley, 1961)