Capitalism and Industrial Revolution Essay

Capitalism and Industrial Revolution Essay Capitalism and Industrial Revolution Essay THE STRUCTURE AND CULTURE OF THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE SINCE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Sara Link Thomas Edison The structure and culture of the American workplace since Industrial revolution Introduction Before the industrial revolution, people were agricultural based in farms that were spread out in America. The mode of production was traditional and the output was dismal. Since the start of the Industrial revolution to date, the structural and cultural workplace in America has been impacted by may forces including rise of capitalism, use of technology, emergence of globalization and gender equality issues. Industrial revolution brought together people from different ways of life through the creation of machines, cities and factories. Time became of importance as work days were no longer determined by the sun. This was because the clock was used at the work place. Entertainment industry grew tremendously as people were seeking something to do when off clock. Congestion developed in the cities because there were no regulations and every family member had to work. Unlike in the agricultural age where families worked together, industrial revolution made it difficult for family members to work together. As a result, family life became very difficult. This paper discusses how the structure and culture of the workplace of American workplace have been affected by the forces of succeeding industrial revolution including capitalism, technology, globalization and issues of equality. Capitalism The term capitalism was coined in 19th Century when industrial revolution was at its peak and individual businessmen were come up with new enterprises and as they accumulated wealth. Capitalism is an economic system in which trade, business, means of production and distribution are controlled by the private owners or corporations, compared to the state-owned means of production. Capitalism has been in existence in the western world since the age of Mercantilism. Mercantilism was an economic system that was supposed to increase the country’s The structure and culture of the American workplace since Industrial revolution 3 wealth through imposing government regulations on commercial interests related to the country’s economy. It was believed that limiting the imports on tariffs and maximizing exports, the nation’s economy would be improved. Compared to the other economic systems, capitalism emphasizes on production at the expense of consumption to increase the productive capacity instead of investing it on economic enterprises that are unproductive for example, palaces and cathedral. It is recognized as the new emerging global economy. Capitalism is illustrated by the flow of goods, services, capital and labor through comparative advantage by use of new technologies that disrupt the traditional ways of conducting business. United States have built a niche for itself in the global economy using modern technology to create high quality goods and services that are value added as well as to have the most informa tion based economy. Remaining at the top is not easy and therefore industries in the United States have to adopt the principal of constant change through the process of â€Å"creative destruction.† This entails replacing ineffective products and the entire industry on a continuous basis. Today, capitalism exists in all countries of the world as a social system where production and distribution means are owned by a minority of people known as the capitalist class. Most people have to exchange their skills to work in return for a salary. This class of people is paid for producing of goods and services which are sold for profit. The capitalists make their livelihood from the profits the working class makes for them. Technology Technology is the study, development, modification, and usage of devices, machines, crafts, systems and techniques so as to find solutions to problems while improving a preexisting problem solution to achieve a

Does the rotation of auditors improve the quality of auditing Essay - 1

Does the rotation of auditors improve the quality of auditing - Essay Example Australia is collecting more empirical data on the subject to make a decision to make it mandatory or not. India recently envisaged that audit partner should be rotated compulsorily and there should be atleast 50% rotation of the audit team compulsorily. For listed companies, auditor rotation is made compulsory in Portugal on an explain or comply basis. Public companies in Slovenia are given a choice to choose either to rotate partner or audit firm rotation once in five years. Audit partner rotation instead of audit firm rotation is made mandatory by countries like Netherlands, Germany and UK. Administrators in Germany, US and UK are of the view that possible advantages of compulsory rotation of auditors do not overshadow its perils and costs. (Ewelt-Knauer, Gold & Pott 2012:5) The research study will analyse in detail whether the rotation of auditors improves the quality of auditing or not with available literature evidence on the subject. What is the problem? The main issue is whet her mandatory auditor rotation will result in enhancing the auditor’s independence or not and does the rotation of auditors improve the quality of auditing? How are you going to answer it? For answering the research question, this research essay will make use of secondary research evidence available on the subject like information available in the books, journals, previous empirical studies, etc. Coherent development of arguments: According to Lee Metcalf report, it was a great concern that big audit firms lacked independence, which has created doubt about their certification of financial data to public and investors. Further, long association of an auditor and a company may result in aligning with company’s management and hence, the independence of such an auditor has become really doubtful. Thus, Metcalf report recommended to the Congress of USA to introduce mandatory auditor rotation to minimise the corporate frauds. (PCAOB 2011:10). What is audit quality? Some stud y suggests that there is a direct association between audit quality and audit tenure. According to Simon & France (1988), long run audit tenures enhance the audit quality, mainly because of auditee-specific knowledge benefited by the auditors over the time. Daly, Hamilton and Strokes (2003) investigated whether audit partner rotation is linked with transformation in audit quality and found that a partner change or rotation is not poignantly linked with a change in the audit opinion released. Further, rotation of a partner does not result in more chances to issue a qualified audit report. Thus, this study report suggests either the rotation of the firm or a partner does not have required audit quality advantages that supporters vehemently argue. (Campbell & Houghton 2005:78). Vanstraelen (2000) found that long-term audit tenures resulted in high audit quality. Deis & Giroux (1992) found that long run audit tenure lessens the adherence with GAAS. Copley & Doucet (1993) found the audit tenure, and the audit firm association has a direct effect on audit quality. Knapp (1991) exposed that audit committee members observed that long audit tenure erodes audit report quality and their independence. Dopuch, King and

Lukes the Prodigal Son and Hollywoods Perception of the Gospel Essay

Lukes the Prodigal Son and Hollywoods Perception of the Gospel - Essay Example Here, at his execution, Jesus is tempted by an alluring image of a peaceful and pleasant life with Mary Magdelene to try to get him to refuse the sacrifice he must make. The carpenter Jesus of Nazareth, tormented by the temptations of demons, the guilt of making crosses for the Romans, pity for men and the world, and the constant call of God, sets out to find what God wills for him. But as his mission nears fulfillment, he must face the greatest temptation: the normal life of a good man. This movie is actually not based on the Gospels, but on Nikos Kazantzakis' novel of the same name. But in a sense, whether it is a movie or a novel, this ideology of a common and insignificant life is more of modern conception of self-help motives driven by (apparently) hazard free market economy. Jesus is shown at the outset as a lonely, masochistic soul full of self-contempt, tempted to leave the cross for the life of an ordinary man who knows the felicities of marriage, sex, and family: this is th e "last temptation" that nearly wrenches away the meaning of his sacrifice. But here is a perception that invokes the feeling of a common man who wants the world to be ideally trouble free and simple. Alternately, Godspell (1973) written and directed by David Greene based on the novel by John-Michael Tebelak is a modern-day version of the gospels, opening with John the Baptist

Leadership in business management Research Paper

Leadership in business management - Research Paper Example He is like a captain of the ship. He or she brings all team members on a proper track of their objectives. The efficient leaders are needed in every organization for attaining both small scale and large scale goals. While describing the importance of the leadership, Marlene Caroselli, in her book, â€Å"Leadership Skills for Managers, says, â€Å"It is easy to make money. But leaders strive to make a difference. They are willing to make sacrifices and to inspire others to do the same.† [1] According to Peter Northouse, leadership is â€Å"a process of whereby an influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.†[2] Qualities of an ideal leader: There are five major traits or qualities of an ideal leader. Honesty Visionary Competent Inspiring Intelligent The great freedom fighter of India and the father of India Mahatma Gandhi was a perfect leader who had all the above mentioned traits in him. So he has always been the source of inspiration not only for the In dians but from the people all over the world. The uniqueness of his leadership lay in his unique doctrine of non-violence which was later adopted by Martin Luther King and many other leaders from all over the world. Leadership has the different styles like autocratic leadership, democratic leadership and free rein leadership. And the popularity of the leaders lies upon what method he uses in different circumstances. Napoleon was one of the most famous leaders in the world. He was a man of great vision and he would win the battle on the basis of this vision. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Napoleon understood the importance of winning people. Characteristics of good and bad leadership The success of any institution or any organization depends upon the leadership of that institution. Good leadership can shape the future while bad leadership can create disaster. Examples are two opposite leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Hitler. With an extraordinary unique and ideal leadership Mahatma Gandhi won the war of freedom. He fought the war with the unusual weapon of non violence and so his war is the only war which is known as a bloodless war. On the other hand Adolph Hitler’s leadership totally tends towards dictatorship, violence and bloodshed which led the people of Germany into anarchy and deterioration. The leader decides the future of his institute. Bad Leadership : Major Attributes Bad leadership is associated with the incompetence of the leader. While talking about the incompetence of the leadership, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, in his speech says, â€Å"Incompetent leaders are not necessarily incompetent in every aspect. Moreover, there are many ways of being incompetent. Some leaders lack practical, academic, or emotional intelligence.† Rigid leadership also is an example of bad leadership. The rigid leader is not ready to accept the changes. The changes are inevitable and they must be accepted and accordingly the leaders should adapt them. Adaptability means ac cepting the changes and adjusts ourselves according to the changing mode of circumstances. But if the leadership is rigid and refuse to accept the changes, the organization cannot survive in the modern world which tends to change consistently. Intemperate leadership is also risky for the organization. When the leader completely losses his control and is aided by his followers then he is no more capable of leading the people. Barbara Kellerman in her book â€Å"Bad Leadership,†

Police misconduct Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Police misconduct - Essay Example Another officer then appeared, and started feeling and searching the person in question. He also said to him: "I could be a real jerk..some officers would arrest you for not liking the way you look"(ibid). Another incident happened recently in San Diego and raised a storm in the media. This was the case where several women were arrested by El Cajon police officer named William Robert Taylor who allegedly made them perform sexual acts in return for their freedom. One case was thus described: "In one instance detailed in a Feb. 3 arrest warrant, a woman Taylor detained for petty theft in September 2005 at an El Cajon department store told police that Taylor forced her to disrobe and perform a sex act in the back seat of his patrol car while he stood outside and watched" (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060329-9999-2m29taylor.html ). The victim thought she had no options but to comply. Later Taylor claimed that the woman was not prompted to perform sexual act but that she willingly did it. There was yet another incident of the similar nature involving this same officer. This was when he arrested a woman for possession of marijuana plant and petty theft and told her that if she had sex with him he would not arrest her. These last two cases involve a questionable unethical behavior on the part of the police officer. The last case is somewhat more complex. It happened in Vancouver, BC, at the drug-ridden Downtown East Side. Apparently, the number of HIV infected drug users in this area has been alarming since the 1990's, and at the time when the said incident happened, in 2002, 40% of the residents of that area were HIV infected. This is higher than anywhere in Canada. This alarming fact prompted the health officials to start a safe injection needle exchange clinic, which was to be held outside, at the corner of Main and Hastings Street, which is where the greatest number of drug users can be found usually. The police had no right or warrant to close down the clinic. However, this is precisely what they did, as they alleged that there was illegal activity happening close by. This was a blow in the face of the drug addicts using heroin as well as the health officials who were concerned about more and more people getting infected with HIV virus due to the unsafe use of contaminated needles, which is apparently the quickest way for the HIV virus to enter one's bloodstream, quicker than sex for example. As in 2003 there was a new city major elected, he started a so-called 4-pillar approach to drug use in the city, which involved harm reduction, safe needle exchange sites and methadone program, as well as counseling. The police department asked the City council for permission to place more officers in the Downtown East Side, which was refused by the City council. However, the police still went ahead and, in addition to the 20 officers that were already there, they positioned another 40 officers from other areas of the city in the Downtown East Side. This made it almost impossible for the drug users to access the safe needle exchange clinic, as they had to bypass the police to get there. As the police were arresting people for drug possession,

Classification Of Marketing Research Designs

Classification Of Marketing Research Designs A research design is a model or blueprint for concluding the marketing research project. It details the procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to structure or solve marketing research problems. Although a broad approach to the problem has already been developed, the research specifies the details- the nuts and bolts- of implementing the approach. A research design lays the foundation for conducting the project. A good research design will ensure that the marketing research project is conducted effectively and efficiently. Classification of Marketing Research Designs Research Design Conclusive Research Design Exploratory Research Design Descriptive Research Casual Research Cross-sectional Design Longitudinal Design Single Cross sectional Design Multiple Cross Sectional Design Exploratory Research: It is a type of research design whose primary objective is the provision of insights into and comprehension of the problem situation confronting the researcher. Conclusive Research: Research designed to assist the decision maker in determining, evaluating and selecting the best course of action to take in a given situation. Cross-sectional Design: A type of research design involving the collection of information from any given sample of population elements only once. Single cross-sectional design: A cross-sectional design in which one sample of respondents is drawn from the target population and information is obtained from this sample once. Multiple cross-sectional designs: A cross-sectional design in which there are two or more samples of respondents and information from each sample is obtained only once. Longitudinal designs: A type of research design involving a fixed sample of population elements that is measured repeatedly on the same variables. The sample remains the same over time, thus providing a series of pictures which, when viewed together, portray a vivid illustration of the situation and the changes that are taking place over time. Panel: A sample of respondents who have agreed to provide information at specified intervals over an extended period No Is the need for marketing research justified? Yes Define the research objectives Identify data needs No Are suitable data resources available? Identify data sources Yes No Are some secondary resources capable of providing all data needed Yes Choose appropriate design and data collection method Obtain the secondary data Design research instrument Identify the sample Collect data including any relevant secondary data Analyze and interpret data Terminate project Present research findings. Step 1: Justify the Need for Marketing Research A logical starting point for discussing the marketing research process is the issue of whether to conduct a proposed research project. Four considerations influence the decision: the potential usefulness of the research results: managements attitudes toward the research: the resources available for implementing the research results: and the costs of the research projects versus the benefits. Step 2: Define the Research Objective Questions about what we want to find out and why are crucial to the effectiveness of any project. Indeed, our discussion of whether or not of research project is worthwhile assumed that the research purpose was well defined. We cannot meaningfully evaluate the costs and potential benefits of research unless we have clearly established the answers to what and why. Step 3: Identify Data Needs Identifying specific data needs means scrutinizing the research purpose and listing the kinds of data required to accomplish that purpose. Step 4: Identify Data Sources After identifying data needs, the next logical step is to locate sources capable of providing the data. The relative ease or difficulty of locating data sources will depend on the nature of the information desired. Secondary Data are data that have already been collected by and are readily available from other sources. Primary data are data collected for specific research needs. The importance of time frame. If no resource is available for the kinds of data needed in a particular project within the time frame, the company should abandon the research project at this stage rather than pursue it further: the results will undoubtedly worth it. Step 5: Choose an Appropriate Research Design and Data Collection Method After determining the research objectives and the nature of the data to be collected, the researchers must choose an appropriate research design, which in turn will influence what tasks they will perform in the remainder of the project. The research design may be exploratory or conclusive. Exploratory Research helps researchers gain some initial insights and may pave the way for future research. For instance, an industrial product firm wishing to generate some ideas for improving its product line can do so through informal discussions with selected customers and distributors. Conclusive Research helps researchers verify insights and select the appropriate course of action. Conclusive research can be either descriptive or experimental. A research proposal is a document that briefly describes the purpose and scope, specific objectives, sample designs, data collection procedures, data analysis plan, timetable and estimated cost for the contemplated project. Step 6: Design the Research Instrument The step of developing the data collection instrument or formed is relevant when a research project requires primary data collection. Although designing a data collection form may appear easy, certain aspects of the form, if not handled carefully, can seriously affect the quality and nature of the data. Step 7: Identify the Sample Designing a sample to collect primary data means clearly specifying who, or which units, should provide the needed data. This step may offer some general guidance for designing the sample. The method of choosing individuals depends on whether a profitable or non profitable sampling method is used. In a Profitable Sample, each component in a population has a known, non-zero chance of inclusion. Non Profitable Sampling is a subjective procedure in which the probability of selection for each population unit is known beforehand. Step 8: Collect the Data Once the data collection form and sample research are ready the next step is to collect the data. Before data analysis can begin, the responses generated by the data collection procedures must be checked for completeness, consistency and adherence to pre specified instructions. The process of examining the responses and taking the necessary corrective action to ensure they are of high quality is called editing. The edited responses also need to be put into a form that is ready for analysis. This transformation is called coding. Step 9: Analyze and Interpret the Data Analysis and interpretation are integral parts of marketing research. The types of analysis permissible in a project depend on the nature of the data, which in turn can be affected by factors such as the type of data collection used. Step 10: Present Research findings The last step in the marketing research process is to prepare a report that communicates the result of the research to decision makers. This step is critical to the process. Only through a clear and convincing report can the findings and conclusions reached by the market researcher be implemented. Marketing Research for the BK Broiler Chicken Sandwich Step 1: Justify the need for Marketing Research In 1998 the BK Broiler chicken sandwich was suffering from low sales. BK needed research to identify and develop a winning positioning strategy that would appeal to women. In short, the proposed research project appeared to be worthwhile not only because the results were needed, but also because adequate resources were available to implement the research results. Step 2: Define the Research Objective The main objective of the research project was to find out what would be the best way to position a new broiled chicken sandwich among the target market. The proposed sandwich was smaller than the current one, had fewer fat grams and used whole muscle product as opposed to the existing formed-chicken patty. The sandwich was made with a corn-dusted bun, used Savory Grill sauce, and was topped with shredded vegetables. Thus the primary purpose was to obtain consumer reactions to four different ways to position the new chicken sandwich in the marketplace. The four positioning considered for the concept/taste test were: Choice White Meat/Chicken Breast Backyard BBQ Taste Marinated Special Blend/Home style Taste Competitive Claim (concept only) Step 3 and 4: Identify Data Needs and Data Sources BKs data requirements fell into four classes: Purchase Intention Measures-The purchase intention measure was to be used to assess the likelihood that respondents would buy the sandwich. Overall Product Diagnostics-BK wanted to obtain data to understand the reasons underlying the intended purchase measures. Of interest to BKs product management were consumers overall judgements of the product concept, measuring uniqueness or differentiation from other products, inherent interest, and value for the money. Attribute Diagnostics-To focus further positioning and development efforts. BK needed data about specific product attributes that led people to buy chicken sandwiches. Respondent Profiling Variables-Data on demographics were deemed important to understanding customers fast-food eating habits. Step 5: Choose an Appropriate Research Design BK hired an outside research agency to design and execute the marketing research study. The project was basically conclusive experimental research. BK and the research agency were clear about the types of information they wanted. Step 6: Design the Research Instrument or Form- The agency developed a well structured questionnaire to collect the necessary data about the concept and the respondents. It consisted the following: Pre-recruiting screening questions Concept evaluation questions (only for qualified respondents) Taste test (only for those who gave neutral or positive responses to the concept) Classification questions Step 7: Identify the Sample The sample for this study was identified earlier as a group who had eaten chicken in a fast-food restaurant at least once in the past 3 months. The sample consisted of the following: Approximately 65% female and 35% male(skewed toward women to reflect the expected user base for the new broiled chicken sandwich) Approximately 50% ages 18 to 34 and 50% ages 35 to 54 Approximately 50% BK users and 50% non-BK users(within the past 4 weeks) Step 8: Collect the Data A total of 835 interviews were conducted among pre-recruited consumers at malls in 10 different geographic locations. Approximately 150 taste tests were conducted for the first three positioning. Step 9: Analyze and Interpret the Data The study found that interest in trying the product was driven by a positive pre-disposition toward the chicken sandwich, as well as how appetizing the product looked (in the picture).In the Taste Test Study, consumers rated the product very favorably. Step 10: Present Research Findings to Decision Makers Based on these findings, BKs Consumer Research Group recommended the Choice White Meat/Chicken Breast positioning. The sandwich performed well among women (the intended target market) and among non-BK users and the 35 to 54 age group rated the sandwich very favorably. However, the researchers also suggested that additional studies were needed to determine the best name and price for the sandwich. Purchase intent for BK Broiler Chicken Sandwich choice White Meat/ Chicken Breast Positioning Among Key Subgroups Choice White Meat/Chicken Breast positioning generated the highest level of definitely would buy/ probably would buy purchase intent scores. Of the total 208 respondents who were exposed to the Choice White Meat positioning, 43% rated it as definitely would buy and 83% rated it as definitely or probably would buy. To measure purchase intention, the respondents were asked: How likely would you be to buy this product if it were available at Burger King? Definitely would buy 5 Probably would buy 4 Might or might not buy 3 Probably would not buy 2 Definitely would not buy 1 TYPES OF RESEARCH DATA PRIMARY VERSUS SECONDARY DATA Primary data are originated by at researcher for the purpose of addressing the problem at hand. The collection of primary data involves all six steps of the marketing research process. Obtaining primary data can be expensive and time consuming. Secondary data are data that have already been collected for purposes other than the problem at hand. These data can be located quickly and inexpensively. A comparison of primary and secondary data Primary Data Secondary Data Collection Purpose For the problem at hand For other problems Collection Process Very involved Rapid and easy Collection Cost High Relatively low Collection Time Long Short ADVANTAGES AND USES OF SECONDARY DATA Identify the problem. Better define the problem. Develop an approach to the problem. Formulate an appropriate research design. Answer certain research questions and test some hypothesis. Interpret primary data more insightfully. The general rule that is followed is: Examination of available secondary data is a prerequisite to the collection of primary data. Start with secondary data. Proceed to primary data only when the secondary data resources have been exhausted or yield marginal returns. DISADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY DATA The objectives, nature, and methods used to collect the secondary data may not be appropriate to the present situation. It may be lacking in accuracy. It may not be completely correct or dependable. Before using secondary data, it is important to evaluate them on the above mentioned factors. Classification of Secondary Data Ready to Use Syndicated Services Computerized Databases Requires further Processing Published Materials External Internal Secondary data Internal Data are those generated within the organization which conducts the research. This information may be available in a ready-to use format, such as information routinely supplied by the management decision support system. For example: Extensive analysis was conducted on internal secondary data in the department store patronage project. This provided several rich insights. For example, sales were analyzed. To obtain: Sales by product line. Sales by major department. Sales by specific stores. Sales by geographical region. Sales by cash versus credit purchases. Sales in specific time periods. Sales by size of purchase. Sales trends in many of these classifications. External Data are those generated by sources outside the organization. These data are present in the form of published material, databases or information that are available by syndicate services. Before collecting external secondary data, it is useful to analyze internal secondary data. Database Marketing involves the usage of computers to attract and identify customer and purchase details. This secondary information serves as the foundation for marketing programs or as an internal source of information related to customer behavior. For many companies, the first step in creating a database is to transfer raw sales information. Published Secondary Data Published Secondary Data General Business Sources Government Sources Indexes Directories Census Data Other Government Publications Statistical Data Guides General Business Data Businesses publish a lot of information in the form of books, periodicals, journals, magazines, news papers and trade literature. This information can be located by using guides, directories and indexes. Sources are also available for identifying statistical data. Guides Guides are an excellent source of standard or recurring information. A guide may help identify other major sources of directories trade associations and trade publications. Guides are one of the first sources a researcher should consult. Some of the most useful are the American Marketing Association Bibliography Series, Business Information Sources, Data Sources for Business and Market Analysis, and Encyclopedia of Business Information Sources. Directories Directories are helpful for identifying individuals or organizations that collect specific data. Some of the important directories include Directories in Print, Consultants and Consulting Organizations Directory, Encyclopedia of Associations, Studies and Surveys, and Research Services Directory. Indexes It is possible to locate information on a particular topic in several different publications using an index. Indexes can, therefore, increase the efficiency of the search process. Other Government Publications In addition to the census, the federal government collects and publishes a great deal of statistical data. The more useful publications are Business Conditions Digest Business Statistics, Index to Publications, Statistical Abstract of the United States, and Survey of Current Business. Classification of Computerized Databases Computerized Databases Bibliographic Databases Numeric Databases Full-text Databases Special-Purpose Databases Directory Databases Internet Offline Online Online database consist of a central data bank, which is accessed with a computer via a telecommunications network. Internet Databases can be accessed, located, and analysed on the internet. The data can be downloaded from the internet and stored in a computer or an auxiliary storage device. Offline databases make the information available on diskettes and CD-ROM disks. Thus, offline databases can be accessed at the users location without the use of an external telecommunications network. Sources of International Secondary Data International Secondary Data International Organizations Domestic Organizations in the U.S. Organizations in Foreign Countries International Organizations in the U.S, Government Sources Non Government Sources Governments Trade Associations A wide variety of secondary data are available for international marketing research. As in the case of domestic research, the problem is not one of lack of data but of the plethora of information available, and it is useful to classify the various sources as shown in the diagram above. Domestic organizations in the United States, both government and non-governmental source, can provide valuable secondary international data. The important government sources are The Department of Commerce, The Agency for International Development, The Small Business Administration, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, The Department of Agriculture Department of State, Department of Labor, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Department of Commerce offers not only a number of publications, but also a variety of services as illustrated in the above diagram. Classification of Marketing Research Data Marketing Research Data Secondary Data Primary Data Quantitative Data Qualitative Data Descriptive Survey Data Experimental Data Observational and Other Data Casual Qualitative Research provide a clear perception of a situation and understanding of the problem setting using unstructured, exploratory research methodologies based on little samples. Quantitative Research is a research methodology that looks out to quantify a particular data and apply some of statically analysis. Quantitative versus Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Quantitative Research Objective To gain a qualitative objective of the underlying reasons and motivations. To quantify the data and generalize the results from the sample to the population of interest. Sample Small number of no representative cases. Large number of representative cases. Data Collection Unstructured Structured Data Analysis Non statistical Statistical Outcome Develop an initial understanding Recommend a final course of action. Classification of Qualitative Research Procedures Qualitative Research Procedures Indirect (Disguised) Direct (No disguised) Projective Techniques Depth Interviews Focus Groups Association Techniques Expressive Techniques Completion Techniques Construction Techniques Direct Approach A type of research in which the purposes of the project are made known to the respondent or are obvious, given the nature of the interview Indirect Approach A type of research in which the main purposes of the project are masked from the respondents Focus Group Interview An interview conducted by a well trained moderator in a nonstructural and natural manner with a very little group of respondents. The moderators lead the discussion. The main purpose of focus groups is to gain insights by listening to a group of people from the appropriate target market talk about issues of interest to the researcher. Characteristics Group Size 8 to 12 Group Composition Homogeneous; respondents prescreened Physical setting Relaxed, informal atmosphere Time duration 1 to 3 hours Recording Use of audiocassettes and videotapes Moderator Observational, interpersonal, and communication skills of the moderator. Depth Interviews An unstructured, straight forward, personal interview in which a single respondent is probed by a highly trained interviewer to uncover fundamental motivations, beliefs, attitudes, and feelings on a topic Focus Groups versus Depth Interviews Characteristic Focus Groups Depth Interviews Group synergy and dynamics + Peer pressure/group influence + Client involvement + Generation of innovative ideas + In-depth probing of individuals + Uncovering hidden motives + Discussion of sensitive topics + Interviewing respondents who are competitors + Interviewing respondents who are professionals + Scheduling of respondents + Amount of information + Bias in moderation and interpretation + Cost per respondent + Projective Techniques An unstructured and indirect form of questioning encourages the respondents to project their fundamental motivations, beliefs, attitudes, or feelings regarding the issues of concern. Advantages and Disadvantages of Projective Techniques Projective techniques have a major advantage over the unstructured direct techniques. They may elicit responses that subjects would be unwilling or unable to give if they knew the purpose of the study. At times, in direct questioning, the respondent may intentionally or unintentionally misunderstand or mislead the researcher. In these cases, projective techniques can increase the validity of responses by disguising the purpose. This is particularly true when the issues to be addressed are personal, sensitive or subject to social norms. Projective techniques are also helpful when underlying motivations, beliefs and attitudes are operating at a subconscious level. Projective techniques suffer from many of the demerits of unstructured direct techniques, but to a greater extent. These techniques generally require personal interviews with highly trained interviewers. Skilled interpreters are also required to analyze the responses. Hence, they tend to be expensive. Some projective techniques, such as role playing, require respondents to engage in unusual behavior. In such cases, the researcher may assume that respondents who agree to participate are themselves unusual in some way. Therefore, they may not be representative of the population of interest. Association Techniques It is a type of technique where the respondent is presented with a stimulus and asked to react with the first thing that comes to the respondents mind Word Association A projective technique in which respondents are presented one at a time with a list of words. After each word, they are asked to give the first word that comes to mind. Completion Techniques In completion techniques, the respondent is asked to complete an incomplete stimulus situation. Common completion techniques in marketing research are sentence completion and story completion. Sentence Completion It is similar to word association. Respondents are given incomplete sentences and asked to complete them. Generally, they are asked to use the first word or phrase that comes to mind. Story Completion A projective technique in which the respondents are provided with part of a story and required to give the conclusion in their own words Construction Techniques They are closely related to completion techniques. Construction techniques require the respondent to construct a response in the form of a story, dialogue, or description. In a construction technique, the researcher provides less initial structure to the respondent than in a completion technique. The 2 main construction techniques are (1) Picture response (2) Cartoons Picture Response A projective technique in which the respondent is shown a picture and asked to tell a story describing it Cartoon Tests Cartoon characters are shown in a specific situation related to the problem. The respondents are asked to indicate the dialogue that one cartoon character might make in response to the comments of another character. Expressive Techniques In expressive techniques, respondents are presented with a verbal or visual situation and asked to relate the feelings and attitudes of other people to the situation. The respondents express not their own feelings or attitudes, but those of others. The 2 main expressive techniques are role playing and third-person technique. Role Playing In role playing, respondents are asked to play the role or assume the behavior of someone else. The researcher assumes that the respondents will project their own feelings into the role. These can then be uncovered by analyzing the response. Third-Person Technique A projective technique in which the respondent is presented with a verbal or visual situation and asked to relate the beliefs and attitudes of a third person to the situation. This third person may be a friend, neighbor, colleague, or a typical person. INTRODUCTION History of Marketing Research Pioneers Marketing Research as an organized business activity began between 1910 and 1920. The appointment of Charles Collidge Parlin as manager of the Commercial Research Division of the Advertising Department of the Curtis Publishing Company in 1911 is generally noted to be the beginning of marketing research. Parlins success led several industrial firms and advertising media to establish research divisions. In 1915, the United States Rubber Company hired Dr. Paul H. Nystrom to manage a newly established Department of Commercial Research. In 1917, Swift and Company hired Dr. Louis D. H. Weld from Yale University to become manager of their Commercial Research Department. In 1919, Professor C.S. Duncan of the University of Chicago published Commercial Research: An Outline of Working Principles, considered to be the first major book on commercial research. In 1921, Percival Whites Market Analysis was published; the first research book to gain a large readership, it went through several editions. Market Research and Analysis by Lyndon O. Brown, published in 1937, became one of the most popular college textbooks of the period, reflecting the growing interest in marketing research on the college campus. After 1940, numerous research textbooks were published and the number of business schools offering research courses grew rapidly. Following World War II, the growth of marketing research increased dramatically. By 1948, more than two hundred Marketing Research organizations had been created in the United States. An estimated $50 million was spent on marketing research activities in 1947. Over the next three decades this expenditure level increased more than tenfold (Kinnear, 1991). Marketing Research vs. Market Research These terms often are used interchangeably, but technically there is a difference. Market research deals specifically with the gathering of information about a markets size and trends. Marketing research covers a wider range of activities. While it may involve market research, marketing research is a more general systematic process that can be applied to a variety of marketing problems. The Value of Information Information can be useful, but what determines its real value to the organization? In general, the value of information is determined by: The ability and willingness to act on the information. The accuracy of the information. The level of indecisiveness that would exist without the information. The amount of

Hockey-The Rodney Dangerfield Of Sports Essay -- essays research paper

Hockey, The Rodney Dangerfield Of Sports   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the US, there are four major sports; football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Out of the four, hockey gets the least amount of respect. This is something that bothers me as hockey player and fan, and it also bothers other hockey fans around the country. They way that hockey is covered in the newspapers, on television, and not just professional hockey. It goes the same for college hockey and also high school hockey.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lets start at the top with the NHL. The NHL has a TV deal with ESPN and ABC so that the two companies share the Stanley Cup Finals. The NHL’s championship series. (It should also be noted that ABC owns ESPN). The problem with TV deal is that ESPN is a paid for cable station, which means that you can only watch the finals games on ESPN if you have cable. Because of this, hockey doesn’t get as much exposure as other sports do too a new audience. The World Series is on FOX or NBC, the NBA Finals are on NBC, and the Super Bowl is on FOX, CBS, or ABC. All of those stations are free to a viewer with a television. There is no monthly charge for service of those stations unlike ESPN. This is where hockey gets shafted, the NHL is the only sport that has its championship game or series on cable TV where only a specific audience as access to it as opposed to the entire nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  But it is not just the Cup Finals that are on cable te...