International Business strategy - NOKIA on global market Essay - 1

International Business strategy - NOKIA on global market - Essay Example Smartphone manufacturers are competing with each other in terms of implementing new technologies, gaining access to new market, advertising exposure and many others. Few Smartphone are doing legal battle with each other in terms of feature and application counterfeiting (for example Samsung paid huge amount to Apple after losing legal battle of counterfeiting of design and application of iPhone). Some companies are using Android operating system for their Smartphone’s while others are focusing on windows phone. Market saturation is higher for phones not acquired with contract. Fixed costs associated with smart phone market are high due to requirement of investing in latest technologies. Hence it can be concluded that market rivalry is high. Global Smartphone market condition can be explained in the following manner. In future Nokia will face specific threat from counterfeit products. Mobile manufacturers complemented by low resorce capabilities tend to imititate features and design of Smartphone manufacturered by reputed companies such as Nokia, Samsung and Apple. Impact of such threat will increase in future. Market players rely heavily on suppliers providing software and hardware integration. Influence of low cost Taiwanese suppliers is increasing in the mobile manufacturing industry. Foxconn is the Taiwanese supplier for Apple and HTC. Taiwanese suppliers supply HSPA or High Speed Packet Access, evolution data optimizer and touch screen panels to mid and high end Smartphone manufactures. Component source of Taiwanese Smartphone supply can be depicted by using following diagram. Operating systems such as BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone, Android and iOS are essential gears for Smartphone manufacturers. Smartphone manufacturers are relying heavily on their technological partners such as Google and Microsoft. Hence it can be inferred that supplier power is high. Nokia needs to follow respective government rule of different countries

Unemployment in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Unemployment in America - Research Paper Example Unemployment in America The analysis then is extended to examine a variety of macroeconomic concerns that have been argued to contribute to unemployment. In these regards, the research argues that Federal spending and the increasing National Debt are major areas of concern regarding investment that could contribute to improved unemployment. It then demonstrates that the very nature of the American political and economic sectors contain significant structural elements that are contributing to the country’s high and rising unemployment rate. Background After the Great Depression, the United States experienced unprecedented economic growth and progress almost until the end of the XX century. During the early years of the XXI century, this growth continued in sometimes staggering proportions with house prices steadily rising and Americans enjoying sizeable employment success. In 2008, this stopped. With the sub-prime mortgage crisis leading the charge, America and, eventually, the world economy experienc ed perhaps the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. American unemployment rose to staggering rates, leaving citizens and politicians equally perplexed about the future. Even as some progress has been made in staving off the tide of unemployment, including lackluster reform policies, in great part the American economy is still experiencing a large number of problems, most prominently in terms of employment. One of the overarching considerations in regards to unemployment in America is the unemployment rate. The unemployment rate, as the name indicates, is a statistical measure established by the United States government; it indicates the amount of Americans that are currently unemployed. The American unemployment rate over the last decade demonstrates a number of trends, some of them highly problematic. Unemployment Rate 2002-2007 While the unemployment rate was at a slightly high but manageable 5% at the beginning of the ten-year period, it lowered significantly through 2007 (Hupp 12). While the exact causes of this lowered rate are complex and multi-varied, a reasonable assumption can be made that the infusion of capital into the American economy coupled with technological innovation that placed the United States at the forefront of development greatly contributed to these shifting trends. Still, perhaps more problematic is the recognition that this declining unemployment rate  œ nearly reaching 4% in 2007 – is greatly contrasted with the startling spike caused by the 2008 recession (Hupp 12). Unemployment 2007-2009 The spike in the unemployment rate during 2007-2009 demands specific consideration be given to the juxtaposition of these rates and the potential causes of the Great Recession. This research argues that the declining unemployment rate between 2003 and 2007 is at least partly attributable to a bubble economy that was brought on by inflated home prices. The eventual mortgage crisis that would lead to the recessionary period and spike in unemployment was at least partially caused by a correction in the true value and production of the American economy. The Economist points out that even when the economy begins to recover certain job sectors may never see pre-recession employment figures. It argues that: â€Å"The past decade’s jobs in retail and in entertainment were largely supported by household borrowing. Not only is a new wave o f borrowing unlikely to develop after the

Starbucks Strategy and Planning Analysis

Starbucks Strategy and Planning Analysis Starbucks Corporation is a mulitinational coffee chain store first setup in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the biggest coffeehouse through out the world with more than 17000 restaurants in 55 countries including Australia, U K, New Zealand, Canada, and Brazil. It has more than 128,800 employees. It is the public based industrywhich established by Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker in 1971. Other key people which are linked with Starbucks are Howard Schultz (Chairman), Troy Alstead who is President and CEO and Stephen Gillett who is Chief Financial Officer. Starbucks which main products are Whole bean coffee, boxed tea, Bottled beverages, baked good, Merchandise, and Frappuccino beverages. Its incomes for the fiscal year 2010 is US $10.7 Billion. Brief History of Starbucks 1970s: The first Ever Starbucks established with a name came from Herman Melvilles Mob Dick, a classic American novel. 1980s: The industrialist Howard Schultz attached the Starbucks as a Director of Retail operations and marketing. 1990s: In this term the demand for Starbucks coffee improved so they thought to increase it beyond Seattle. 2000s: Starbucks came with 15,000 restaurants through out world wide. What is Strategy and Strategic Planning? Strategy means a plan of action which designed to achieve a particular goals and Strategic planning is an organizations process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this tactic, including its investment and people. Why Strategy is Important? In each field of life there is a road map according to which we work or spend our life to get at the specific targets and goals. Like wise in any business, there needs to be a pre plan for success for a business to b successful. This strategic plan gives the direction for the goal to be achieved. A strategic plan also helps the different work units within the organization to keep themselves with common goals. Past Strategies of Starbucks (1990-2004) Mission Statement In early 1990 the management planed to introduce a mission statement which clearly discribe the company goal and targets so each of the workers could work well and communicate in a better way to customers and investors too, so mission statement is: Provide great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity Embrace diversity as an essential component in the ay we do business Apply the highest standard of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of our coffee Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all the time Contribute to our communities and our environment Recognize the profitability is essential to our future success Innovation Strategy From the very early Starbucks kept the innovation as its constant value. Schultz brought the place-like-home between the office and home so people would get together at the best quality coffees and teas. After that Starbucks launched an effort with its business partners like PepsiCo for the cold Frappuccino drink. In the year of 1995 Starbucks developed a team named Stores of the future to complete a research for the designs of next generation stores and other coffee related concerns. Then this team made four different ideas for the each stage of coffee making. These sorts of innovations made the Starbucks to decrease the enormous cost of store opening. Starbucks also brought the fresh pastries and other food items such as juices, sodas and coffee related machines like Starbucks Barista home espresso machine. Meanwhile they also launched coffee mugs and glasses.C:UsersNew UserDesktopAhmadStrategystar buckse574603984362fed77cb3b8064721dd9.jpg Quality Strategy Schultz always kept a keen eye on the quality of the products and services and what the customer expectation from Starbucks. Quality in Starbucks was launched in a very strict manner. Starbucks also banned the smoking inside the shop and ordered its employees to refrain from having perfumed there selves. Starbucks was broadly known for its better quality of product and services. Howard Schultz Expansion strategy In the period of 1993 company brought an expansion strategy based on targeting areas with demographic profiles which is favourable together with the Starbuckss policy to carry and entertain them. For each area a big city was selected to work as a central unit like hub where a team would complete the target of opening 20 or more shops in the first 2 years. Starbucks hired professionals with immense operating and marketing experience in chain store retailing as new area vice presidents. Another strategy was also set up to increase the goodwill of Starbucks brand, which made its target to some extent. In 1991 Starbucks developed a group of specialists to form a store development process depends upon a six month opening timetable. In which it is asked to build every store in different shape, size and infrastructure. Cost lessening was also got by centralized buying, by fixed fees for some products and by work under contractors with best cost control practices. Starbucks expansion strategy depended on a limited number of agreements for region where there is no ability to open its own shops. Starbucks also opened stores in airports and university campuses by the help of licensed like Marriot Host International and Aramark. Coffee was also started to serve on flights like Horizon Airlines and in United Airlines. Special sales portion of Starbucks made sales 12.20% of total revenue in 1997. In 1995 company made its real development with international exposure which was based on two strategies, are as follow: Enabling local company with retail know how in target region Creating a joint venture with reputable companies In 1995 Starbucks International was setup to coordinate the international development, which originally started operations in Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Singapore. IPO and Stock performance Starbucks had build its foundation till 1992 but now it was set to play a part in the race of developing market, as it was predicted by speciality coffee association oa America that from 1992 to 1999 number of coffee cafes would raise 500 to 10,000. To stimulate its expansion strategy Starbucks go heat to most successful publicizing in 1992, in result its stock price moved growing from $5.50 in 1992 to $58 till today. Its stock has been divided four times (1993, 1996 and 2001) to balance its equity among shareholders. These division also prohibited high prices from determining small investors as the share value moved upwards. Financing As there was no leading threat from competitors, company was capable to finance its expansion entirely by avoiding debt till 1996 with equity capital and revenues, minimizing its overall cost. But essential for high degree financing forced Schultz in 1996 to understand the significance of debt and take it as lawful option to meet the need of market extension. Star bucks infrastructure for growth strategy was to increase the profits in same series by growing the no of stores which was clearly shown by its financial statement. Starbucks managed its foremost expansion stages across us in 1992-93 and overseas in 1995 by deviating to debt. High P/E ratio in the early hours of the company public life in1992 1993 shows high degree of confidence by its investors but with the passage of time it diminish till 1995 and today its constant around 60 due to financing. Starbucks historical growth analysis A reliable coffee shop atmosphere linked with the developed sound management; these were the things on which Starbucks past growth based. For this purpose they crafted the strategy to drench quickly key geographic areas, particularly in an industry with low entry barriers. Its competitive advantage was greater people recruitment, training and management. Continuous development has been measured at all levels of Starbucks stores organization and design, coffees and teas. Organized marketing structure is another key success factor to deal its expansion (real estate group, store development group, retail operation group). Four As Strategy Starbucks success enormously depends upon its Four As Strategy: Acceptability Affordability Availability Awareness The Company site published the following Charts: Starbucks at present (2005-2009) Financial highlights of Starbucks as per annual report 2009: Michael Porters 5 Forces Model To understand the current specialty coffee industry I apply Porters five forces model to its instant environment of Starbucks. Rivalry Among Competing Firm High Other coffee chains. Examples include Coffee Bean Tea Leaf, Gloria Jeans Coffee, Peets, and San Francisco Coffee House Due to great competition in coffee industry, local competitors are offering specials packages and opening of new restaurants to attract potential customers. Low Potential of new competitors High Due to low start up cost entry of potential rival is a great risk. To increase the value in Specialty coffee McDonald is trying to add specialty coffee in their current services. Potential revenue will be $125,000 per year by every store if they are effectively enter in specialty coffee market No special knowledge is required Low Capital requirement Low Potential development of Substitute products High Potential alternate of coffee are soda, fruit juice, smoothes, beer and Water. As we be known with water is healthy for human beings and most of all this its free and option cost to buy bottled water in also cheap as compared to coffee. So Water is the final choice of health conscious customer. Other quick grab foods apart from pastries, muffins, doughnuts, etc sold at Starbucks are also substitutes. E.g. burgers, burritos, tacos, sushi snack food. Low Bargaining power of suppliers High As Starbucks is a enormous giant of coffee market, suppliers are forced to adjust their prices according to it so bargaining power of coffee beans supplier is low. As there are not a lot suppliers of technological innovated coffee beans machines such as automated coffee machines, latte and Espresso machines, etc, bargaining power of suppliers is high. But in case of glass, napkin, lids, cups suppliers bargaining power is low because of wide competition in this industry and Starbucks have different contracts with them. Low Bargaining power of consumers High Bargaining power of Customers is very low when they came to best coffee such as Starbucks. So bargaining power of any single group of buyer has been reduces due to complete scale of Starbuck. While new entrant have improved the bargaining power of buyers by offering sensible quality at cheaper price. . Low Pest Analysis Political/Legal: Due to increase in clash between United States and rest of the world like southeast Asia and Middle East, Companies has to face severe scenarios e.g. refuse of American products like Starbuck, burger King, coca cola etc. Change in import laws is a big risk for Starbucks as they are the only importer of coffee beans. If import process becomes difficult it will finally change the price of Starbucks and level of use will be affected. Two class action suits of Starbucks are awaiting since 2001, Carr vs. Starbucks and Sheilds vs. Starbucks. In start Co refuted all the liabilities in these cases but to avoid any further participation in any delayed proceeding it agreed to settle the plaintiffs claims. Economic: Consumer become more aware concerning their flexible spending due to increase in Unemployment and individual debt after economic recession of 2008. In addition due to financial crises worldwide, further recession is projected which may affect companys result approximately. Starbucks also faced criticism from NGOs that persist the company to acquire specialized coffee beans, ensuring that those coffee beans were grown and marketed under certain economic and social conditions. Social/cultural: Environmental Mission Statement Starbucks is very loyal for playing a role of environmental leadership in all facets of its business. These are the principles that shows the companys fulfillment toward environmental issues. More concerned about environmental issues Motivated toward environmental friendly products buying and selling Developing innovation to bring change Information sharing attitude toward associates taking into account environmental responsibility as corporate worth Encouragement of associates to share in companys mission. monitor the progress of each project of company regular people do not only go to coffee shops to drink a coffee but to make themselves calm down so they are ready to spent more and more money on coffee (UK: Tea:  £623m, Coffee:  £738m) Now a days coffee companies are more concerned about their ways of producing coffee beans, designing their supply chain and the ways of organizing and selling their products due to raise in environmental consciousness. Technological: http://reviews.carreview.com/files/2007/11/starbucks_sirena_bmw_med.jpg For providing incessantly better customer services Starbucks launched cards to make customers visit more suitable and faster. Mostly Starbucks location has WI-FI for consumer needs. Technical Coffee machines are now available at Better and cheaper rates for home usage (Senseo). SWOT Analysis A SWOT analysis provides us an imminent on what the company is good at, and in what areas Starbucks could use assistance. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) are described below: Strengths: Global coffee brand built upon a reputation for well products and services Value workers Economies of scale in purchasing Big Chain of stores: 17,000 stores in 49 countries. Strong ethical values, friendly environment, and community activists. Low turnover Very Good relationship with its suppliers Weaknesses: High prices More dependent on coffee and coffee related products. Too much focus on expansion Need of Strong competitive Position for more Expansion to reduce the Business risk Continuous improvement may weaken over time and finally product acceptance will come toward slow growth. Opportunity Investment cost for New market is very low International Expansion to the company has the chance to expand its operation Diversification in product range toward other food and drinks. Potential in franchising with manufacturers of other goods and services Distribution agreement like hotels airlines Threats Saturation in coffee market Economic recession and Financial Crises Competition with new entrants and copycat brands. Rise in cost of coffee and dairy products. Rise in Cost of beans in near future Possessiveness of consumer regarding healthful fare SWOT Analysis Internal Factor Strengths S1 Brand Equity is high S2 Employees are more satisfied S4 Economies of scale in Purchasing. Weaknesses W1 prices are high W2 More dependent on coffee and coffee related products W3 Deficiency of internal focus (too much focus on expansion) External Factor Opportunities O1 Investment cost of New market is low O2 Scope of Coffee Market Is rising Worldwide O3 Diversification of Product range toward food and non food items SO Strategies 1-Vertical growth to other low cost regions using superior brand. 2- To diversify in other related businesses hire the qualified employees WO Strategies 1- To overcome the too much dependency on coffee and coffee related products increase the product range through Diversification in related businesses. 2- Get benefit from growing markets through reducing costs to reduce prices in low investment markets. Threats T2 Economic recession and Financial Crises. T3 Domestic competition is increasing T4 coffee and dairy products are volatile ST strategies 1- Avoid domestic competition by using high brand through differentiation. 2- To avoid volatile coffee and dairy use the economies of scale through backward vertical addition. WT Strategies 1- To face the current financial crises and economic resources cost should be reduced to reduce the prices. 2- To avoid competition in domestic market depend on international alliance in the international stores as it is the main source of revenue. Future Strategies of Starbucks According to Starbucks current state of dealings, extensive competition, economic scenarios (at least in America) a question comes in mind about how Starbucks can turns itself around to show it profitable and most preferable choice for its customers? Following are some key success factors and strategies which should be considered while making Company policies so that Starbucks can attain its original successful position. What should Starbucks do? Starbucks didnt face any competitors which would have given it a sharp competition for a longer time. But after the entry of competitors in to the market Starbucks is no longer a sole player now. This is a huge threat for Starbucks because other companies are also providing premium coffees which can be compared to Starbucks level. Despite of the fact of competitors came into the market Starbucks is offering luxury coffee but at the high price as compare to competitors. If we compare Starbucks coffee with McDonalds or Dunkin Donuts than it would not be something to think about because they are also providing good taste and quality. Below are some potential strategies that Starbucks should adopt to overcome its threats and weaknesses. Advertising and promotion: It is the general perception in the mind of people that the McDonalds coffee is compare able and most probably better than the Starbucks so before renewing the name of brand Starbucks should equip peoples mind with the fact that Starbucks coffee is superior to all other coffee and beverages brands. For this Starbucks need to be more aggressive in there promotion strategy. In 2006 Starbucks allocated only $38Million for its marketing and promotion strategy as compared to its closest competitor McDonalds $782 Million and Dunkin Donuts $116Million. So by this figure it is clear that Starbucks should make a huge effort for its promotion and advertising strategy and should allocate more funds where needed, to reach at peak level and to keep the leadership.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2926840497_2a8dc5f460.jpg Product Differentiation Strategy: Starbucks should also work on product differentiation strategy. McDonalds is offering premium coffee at lower price although but it would not suit to the Starbucks to start the price war. If Starbucks start a price war than it will minimize the brand goodwill and it would also not be profitable for both the organizations. Starbucks should also research something new which adds more taste and quality to coffee which maximize the customers and capture more market. If Starbucks make something new than it should distribute free sample for a limited time so the people come to know and if the response is good than they should make it available to all its stores. Quality control strategy: Starbucks need to introduce more coffee variety with a maximised quality. Starbucks offering one type of coffee to consumers while its competitors like Peets is offering multiple types. Starbucks needs to ensure that the coffee which is offered to customer having a high quality if it is not than the customer is not going to pay such a premium price for its coffee. Cost Efficient Strategies: Starbucks should also work on reducing its price with a high quality to attract more customers which will add more to its profit and growth. Store Expansion decisions: Starbucks should think now to put a halt on its strategy of opening new branches. In 2007 only Starbucks opened 1650 new stores which came to the total of more than 15000 stores and thought to reach at 40000 in future. It would also be better for Starbucks to stop opening new branches in US now and start thinking to open branches in small regions. Becoming more environmentally friendly: Although Starbucks is renowned for its environment friendly image and they are continuously trying to boost their efforts in this regard, still there is room to develop so they can further discriminate themselves. Starbucks should save their capital by use of porcelain cup rather than disposable cups, if customer wants to take their coffee in the cafe. Renewal of this practice will show them more environments friendly. Starbucks should offer in-house drinkers who prefer porcelain cups at discount to push this strategy. Selling of mugs at reasonable prices, implementation of recycling bins process of food waste, Use the financial inducement encourage the customers to revive the plastic cups rather than to purchase a new one are some ways to enhance its image as more environment friendly. These all things would help the Starbucks to differentiate it from its competitors and improve its image of corporate responsibility. Finally this should be the continual process of company to analyze themselves, encouragement of employees suggestions regarding environmentally beneficial initiatives and should make the continuous improvement in this part so that their green logo seems appropriate for the company. Starbucks Driveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Through Expansion is the main focus of Starbucks but it has been noticed from various reports, surveys and people opinions that during peak hours of the day specifically in mid morning, there become the lack of tables and seats due to which customers move toward some other place in result Starbucks loses its potential customers. In addition, although Starbucks store are placed at every street corner but people face difficulty in parking especially in peak hours. As they are giving attention toward increasing of store space to hold the crowd in peak hours but not marketed it aggressively, though it would not be cost effective as expanding market campaign requires big investment but to keep customers preference its necessary. Focus on their Neglecting Customer Starbucks is distinguished for its coffee specialty and avoiding a big target market of tea, it should also think about researching into the tea specialty drinks market. As Tea has some perceived value of healthy benefits it will increase brand attractiveness. For this purpose they should continually revived their company policies to enhance their customer relations. Reward Programs Currently Starbucks is offering rewards in form of Starbucks Card programs where customer can refill its credit online and use it as Cash card at any Starbucks outlet. It doesnt differentiate it from its competitors as now they are providing the same reward programs for its customer. To take an edge over its competitor Starbucks should give some distinct reward programs like corporate with the large retail companies and airlines and merge their reward programs at Starbucks to make its first and foremost choice of its targeted customers as it will provide them an opportunity of wealth maximization . Conclusion Although there are some deficiencies in company policies but it doesnt show that Co is diminished much at all, it can get back on its previous original successful track by capitalizing its strengths. The existing economic situations which are contributing to its slouch market share should be keenly observed and noticed so that in future Co can stimulate it and make it brand strong and preferable choice for its customers.

Medicine and Drugs - Direct to Consumer Pharmaceutical Marketing Essay

The Problems of Direct to Consumer Pharmaceutical Marketing      Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration relaxed its restrictions on direct-to-consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals. Prior to this ruling, drug manufacturers were prohibited from mentioning both the name of the drug and its indications in consumer-directed advertisements without also including a large amount of technical information about the drug, including all known side effects, contraindications, and dosage recommendations (Stevens, 1998). In addition to interfering with the appeal of the advertisements, such requirements rendered broadcast ads infeasible due to time constraints, and hindered ads in print media due to cost and space availability. These requirements were abolished in the 1997 FDA policy changes, and pharmaceutical companies were permitted to market drugs by name as treatments for specific conditions, with the minimal requirement that ads give mention to major risks identified in clinical trials (Melillo, 2001). As a result, manufacturer expenditures on direct-to-consumer advertising, which totaled $791 million in 1996, rose to $2.6 billion for the year 2000 (Mitchell, 2001). Television, radio, and print media became saturated with ads promoting treatments for conditions ranging from depression to high cholesterol. Names such as Zoloft, Claritin, and Lipitor, which were previously known mostly to health professionals, quickly became part of the national vocabulary. Consequently, spending on prescription drugs has increased significantly over the past several years as consumers are enticed to seek advertised medications (HealthBizNews.com, 2001).    This new face of drug marketing has sparked a raging debate about the accompanying e... ...e of drug advertising?" Business Week. May 22, 2000. p52. Melillo, Wendy. "Direct-to-Consumer Drug Advertising Under Fire Senate to Determine if Such Work Hikes Prescription Costs." Adweek. May 21, 2001. Mitchell, Steve. "Drug advertising raises concerns." www.msnbc.com. 2001. Miller, Susan. "Rx view: DTC Ads Provide the Right Prescription." Brandweek. June 2 29, 1998. "Selling Drugs." American Demographics. January, 1998. p. 26. Shapiro, Joseph and S. Schultz. "Prescriptions: How your doctor makes the choice." US News and World Report. February 19, 2001. p. 58. Stevens, Tim. "To Your Health." Industry Week. September 7, 1998. p. 56. "Subcommittee Hears Debate on Cosumer Drug Advertising." www.healthbiznews.com. 2000. Tanner, Lindsey. "Health and Science: Doctors propose ban on drug advertising." Nando Times. www.nando.net. June 18, 2001.

Predictive Policing Essay

Information Technology, or IT, is the study, design, creation, utilization, support, and management of computer-based information systems, especially software applications and computer hardware. Information technology is not limited solely to computers, but other devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and other handheld devices. The field of IT is quickly moving from compartmentalized computer-focused areas to other forms of mobile technology. (â€Å"Information Technology,† 2011) Over the last decade, computer and telecommunications technologies have developed at a surprising rate. Increased computing power, advances in data transmission, smart and user-friendly graphic interfaces present law enforcement agencies with unprecedented capacity to collect, store, analyze and share data with stakeholders inside and outside of government. Ultimately, information technology represents a tool to help local law enforcement achieve its broadened and increasingly complex missions. (Reichert, 2001) Using information technology to fight crime by the police officers is becoming increasingly effective in apprehending the crime perpetrators. Historically, technological innovation has served as the substance for intense changes in the organization of police work and has presented both opportunities and challenges to police and other criminal justice practitioners, according to Janet Chan, a social scientist who has studied how information technology affects the way police do their jobs. 1 Noting that . information is the stock-in- trade of policing,. Chan has identified three general imperatives driving law enforcement’s evening investment in information technology. Using information technology in policing has add that more efficiency to the police department. Comparing the old-fashioned way of patrolling the streets to combat crime to then use them of using technology to predict the crime area and patrolling in advance deters crimes from happening. There are many advantages associated with using information technology in policing. Comparative analysis shows that using information technology (IT) to combat crime has save lot of resources and time in the police department. There are a number of other advantages that can be associated with the use of information technology in the police department. For instance they use of Automated Field Reporting System by the police department has eradicated the use of hand writing of reports at the field by the Police Officers. Officers completed handwritten incident reports in the field and submitted them at the end of a shift to a field supervisor. After reviewing and approving reports, field supervisors would send them to a central repository for filing, usually in the department’s records section. Personnel in the records section were responsible for distributing copies to other units in the department, such as the appropriate investigative unit, and entering information from the incident reports into a database. Depending on the specific system at a police department, the incident report process could take days, or even weeks, from the time the report was written to its availability in a database. The AFRS had saved Polices from going through all these processes. Even the time of going back to the office to submit the report has been saved by the police officers. The use of information technology makes the police officers to be able to know where a crime may potentiality happen, and their presence ahead of time help prevent the crime. Whereas random patrolling has the potential of missing the crimes area and that give criminals the leeway to perpetrate their criminal act. Using technology by the police helps them to arrive at the crime scene as early as practicable; this helps the offices to trace the criminals and apprehend them. It’s called â€Å"Predictive Policing† a program which Capt. Sean Malinowski says puts officers on the scene before crimes occur. â€Å"Sixty-five percent of our crimes are burglary, grand theft auto and burglary from a motor vehicle† Malinowski said. â€Å"And that’s what these boxes represent. † â€Å"The real measure of this is not how many people you catch it is how much crime you prevent,† said Beck. â€Å"I love catching people — it’s what I live for — but what I’d rather do is live in a place and work in a place where crime didn’t happen.† These include inputs, processing, output, and feedback. Inputs are collected in a form of data. The departments of the Police depends upon police incident and arrest reports for their crime data, but they also used computer-aided dispatch (CAD) data to aid identify geographic hot spots. In Minneapolis, officer debriefings of suspects were an additional feature of the information/data-gathering process. The Compstat process began when an officer filled out an incident/arrest report that he or she then hands to a commanding officer for approval. Once approved, a data clerk, who is located in the district, or in headquarters, enters crime information from the reports into a records management system (RMS). At this point the analysts in the Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) selected the data on the crimes that were regularly presented at Compstat meetings and entered them into a computer database. using a data management program, either MS Excel or MS Access. The main field research techniques we used were participation, observation, and formal interviews with city officials and police at various levels in the chain of command. At each site, researchers observed weekly or biweekly Compstat meetings and interviewed city and police department personnel. These included the mayor, city manager, chief, civilian staff, middle managers or district commanders, captains, lieutenants, detectives, first-line supervisors or sergeants, and patrol officers. District commanders previously relied heavily upon reading daily crime reports to identify problems and patterns, and they supplemented this information with personal experience and subjective evidence. The data is then analyzed and processed to make more meaningful. In conducting intensive field research, the police officers are especially interested in attaining detailed information on the role of Compstat-generated data and in learning about the â€Å"scanning† part of the problem-identification process. How were problems analyzed, and how were tactics reviewed and selected? What was the scope of the treatment developed to deal with a Compstat identified problem, in terms of the resources mobilized to deal with it? Was there a reorganization or mobilization of resources to address the problem, or was it handled merely by the routines of individuals or units already assigned to these duties? How were rank-and file officers involved in this process, if at all? Were specific officers or patrol units made accountable for addressing problems? How much follow-through was there on these initiatives? Data-driven problem identification and assessment: Compstat has significantly enhanced management and analysis of data. Examining crime maps and reviewing summary statistics was not essential to this process. Crime data helped inform but did not drive decision making.

Blue Collar Jobs Essay

In the current economic situation in the U.S, graduating high school and going off to college for a degree has pretty much become the goal for most of the students here in the United States. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, studies have shown that between 1999 and 2009, the number of students in the United States perusing a degree in college full time has risen by almost 45% while part time students increased by 28%. With the vast expanding number of students, the number of job openings for these certain fields are simply not enough to provide every graduate with a job. Because of this problem the unemployment rates are staggeringly high here in the United States which includes the 44% those coming out of college. (Rampell) Take Kyle Bishop for example. Currently 24, he has been waiting tables, delivering beer, and working at a bookstore since 2009 when he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. (Rampell) Stories like this arise every day and only more appear. It will eventually affect future college students pursuing a degree and those who return to study to obtain a degree. Despite these stories however, many companies have been seeking employees to fill up positions for months to years. Many of these jobs have included machinist, welder, and many more in manufacturing, hence blue collar jobs. Now you may be thinking, how can companies not fill up position for manual labor? But with the pace of the advancement of technology in modern society, machinery has become more complicated and requires a higher skill cap to use compared to before while the number of workers with the skill to operate them has been dwindling. In the North Dakota oil fields, there is a 30% shortage of petroleum engineers and a 10% shortage of machinists that the companies simply cannot find enough workers with the skillsets to fill up these positions. According to news article from the Dallas Morning News the workforce is very skilled but they’re mostly people with experience who are soon to retire. It seems like jobs can’t be found without experience and experience can’t be gained without a job however, many say vocational school may become a solution. Students will be able to gain experience by learning about certain jobs in the field and acquiring the skills required without the need of actually finding a job. More people would become qualified to take over the empty positions and those soon to be empty as people begin to retire and more skilled workers join the workforce which could ease the unemployment rates. Every move made can affect the future of the United States economy and the future workers. Education is certainly very important but obtaining skills to work certain jobs is probably one of the most important factors in getting a job.

Free Essays on Labeling

White trash, jock, stoner, retard, jigaboo, slut, and preppy are labels that society gives people. By labeling individuals or groups of people; do we as a society influence a person’s behavior? I believe this is true. However, not everyone that is labeled turns out to be what they have been pinpointed as. Labeling theory is one of many criminological theories that tries to explain a person’s behavior. Does labeling a person really have an effect on that person’s behavior? Is a person’s behavior shaped by social labels? Does labeling a person just reintegrate what society already knows? Labeling theory is a complex theory that explains why people think certain acts and behaviors are deviant and why others are not. Labeling theory had many contributors to it’s existence. Charles Cooley’s Human Nature and the Social Order (1902) examined a person’s perception of themselves through studies of children and their imaginary friends. Through this study Cooley developed the concept of the looking glass self; in which people imagine how others view them. The main idea of looking glass self is that one defines themselves according to how society perceives them (www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/becker.htm.) George Mead’s contributions to labeling theory is the self is a product ones own self perception of social symbols and interaction. This idea shifts the focus away from the individual and looks at how society affects how a person acts. According to Mead, the concept of how people view themselves is a process not a structure (www.criminology.fsu.edu/criminology/lemert.htm). Frank Tannenbaum was possibly the first labeling theorist (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/tocon nor/301/3011ect12.htm). His main contribution was that of the dramatization of evil. He argued that by labeling an individual evokes the very behavior that is being complained about. He suggested that Johnson 2 an individual becomes what they... Free Essays on Labeling Free Essays on Labeling White trash, jock, stoner, retard, jigaboo, slut, and preppy are labels that society gives people. By labeling individuals or groups of people; do we as a society influence a person’s behavior? I believe this is true. However, not everyone that is labeled turns out to be what they have been pinpointed as. Labeling theory is one of many criminological theories that tries to explain a person’s behavior. Does labeling a person really have an effect on that person’s behavior? Is a person’s behavior shaped by social labels? Does labeling a person just reintegrate what society already knows? Labeling theory is a complex theory that explains why people think certain acts and behaviors are deviant and why others are not. Labeling theory had many contributors to it’s existence. Charles Cooley’s Human Nature and the Social Order (1902) examined a person’s perception of themselves through studies of children and their imaginary friends. Through this study Cooley developed the concept of the looking glass self; in which people imagine how others view them. The main idea of looking glass self is that one defines themselves according to how society perceives them (www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/becker.htm.) George Mead’s contributions to labeling theory is the self is a product ones own self perception of social symbols and interaction. This idea shifts the focus away from the individual and looks at how society affects how a person acts. According to Mead, the concept of how people view themselves is a process not a structure (www.criminology.fsu.edu/criminology/lemert.htm). Frank Tannenbaum was possibly the first labeling theorist (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/tocon nor/301/3011ect12.htm). His main contribution was that of the dramatization of evil. He argued that by labeling an individual evokes the very behavior that is being complained about. He suggested that Johnson 2 an individual becomes what they...