Thursday, November 28, 2019

Ford Automobile Strategic Business Model

Introduction A business model refers to a company’s plan in respect of how it projects to profit from its operations currently and in the future. Therefore, a business model entails a unique procedure of determining the fundamental elements necessary for achieving the strategic business goals (Chesbrough, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Ford Automobile Strategic Business Model specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In essence, a business model encompasses all the details of a firm’s operations both short-term and long-term perspectives. Ford as a one of the leading automobile manufacturers in the world operates on a strategic business model that enables its performance. In the view of Ford’s business model, it endeavors to position itself in a competitive business environment that experiences changes (Chesbrough, 2007). A business model consists of various requisite elements, which must be p resent in order to accomplish a feasible, strategic, and profitable model. To achieve this objective, Ford has founded a number of participants who would strengthen its presence in the market. Some of the strategic suppliers include Delphi Autoliv, Yazaki, Johnson Controls, Lear, Magna, and Visteon. Strategic business alliances and partnership Ford has developed a business strategy that aims at exploring numerous foreign and local markets. To maintain a strategic presence in the market, Ford believes in the power of strategic partnership with formidable supply chains with a wide network across the world. In establishing itself as top most business with a strong image, it has endeavored to maintain its reliability in respect of availability of products within the custom time. Strategic entry into numerous and unexplored markets require that a firm develops a mechanism capable of beating the market participants who exist within the market. Although Ford exists in a wider market with e xtensive market coverage, it asserts that to maintain its leadership, it must pursue strategic partnership. Informed of this imperative, it seeks to enter into new short-term and long-term agreements with specific suppliers of its marketing components on a global basis in order to establish a strong, and sustainable performance (Pateli Giaglis, 2004).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since Ford operates in an industry full of technological advancements, the need for a sustainable and hi-tech technology capable of addressing the dynamics of the market. The company ensures that its strategic partnership brings the leading-edge technology that affords to produce the best-of-breed automobile products that meet the changing market needs. Additionally, the quest for sustainable environment, environmental stakeholders have leveled pressure for companies that contribute to productio n of green house gases to scale down their pollution. In the wake of these demands for a habitable ecosystem, Ford has decided to belong among those companies that consider the issue of environmental sustainability (Chesbrough, 2007). Firstly, the company envisages producing automobile that considers the increasing oil costs due to the declining world oil products. To ascertain this need, the company has invested huge sums of funds in research and development with a belief that it has the capacity to turn around the company’s product image. Therefore, Ford boasts of being a company with the most updated technology brought about because of both customer needs and environmental concerns (Pateli Giaglis, 2004). Competitive cost structures The company has adopted a strategy that minimizes on the production costs and the operational costs that spun from product generation to maturity. Although the partnerships are strategically different modes of achieving the primary objectives, it remains a related element to the aspects of enabling a competitive cost structure with an ability to sustain the evolving product image of the company. To ensure sustainable pricing of its products, Ford has demonstrated its ability to maintain a low-cost production plan that will enable customer-oriented prices. This strategy aims at establishing Ford as a company that leads in respect of price in relation to other competitors in the automobile industry. As a price leader, Ford will be able to induce other market features that remain advantageous to its operations on the global market. Growth strategy Ford believes in the strength of growing its product portfolio in order to achieve its objective of maintaining strong market autonomy. Initially, Ford produced heavy automobile as compared to its immediate competitors such as Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. To ensure that it reaches its target segments, it has formulated a strategic expansion aiming at producing products that address the varied needs of its growing clientele.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Ford Automobile Strategic Business Model specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Because of the growing needs for light vehicles, the company has tended to shift from the heavy automobile toward light-vehicles and other automobiles that consider the economies of consumption and costs (Shafer et al., 2005). This strategy favors the ongoing challenges of the skyrocketing fuel prices and declining availability of oil in the market. To cope with these market realities, Ford Company has ventured into utilizing the automobile technology that embraces these market-driven dynamics (Shafer et al., 2005). Differentiation strategy Differentiation entails a strategic plan to eliminate the common aspects of a product that delineates a company’s products from the rest of the competitors. This strategy aims at developing a model product unique in quali ty and image, yet affordable by average consumers on the market. In ensuring that it maintains a high-quality product portfolio. Ford has adopted a differentiation plan that gives a unique feel of a quality brand capable of sustaining the historical brand of the company (Chesbrough Rosenbloom, 2002). Revenue generation The company aims at increasing its revenue streams through focus marketing and sales strategies. In a bid to achieve the objective of high profitability, the company has established a strategic marketing and distribution plan capable of maximizing the sales in order to achieve its projected plan (Chesbrough Rosenbloom, 2002). However, the company recognizes the innate challenges involved in the process of widening its market sales. The primary essence of strategic distribution is useful cushioning it against this vulnerability. Conclusion In this discussion, the paper notes the strategic importance of developing a business model. The analysis of the term business mo del entails all details aimed at designing plans to maximize on a firm’s overall future profitability.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, a strategic business model remains an essential element of a sustainable business capable of beating the challenges of the ever-growing business world. Ford as one of five leading automobile companies in the world has developed a state-of-art business model, which successfully sustains its position in the automobile industry. As noted in the analysis, one of the elements adopted by Ford has been strategic partnerships with selected suppliers on the market to ensure its rapid entry into the unexplored markets. This strategy aims at exploring foreign markets that remain un-exploited by most players on the market. The other components include the design of competitive cost structures, strategic growth, product differentiation, and revenue generation. These strategic alliances endeavors to bring on board the best of edge technology aimed at addressing the advancing technology in the automobile industry. Additionally, the company aims at utilizing the selected suppliers to dis tribute hi-impact automobile products in the global market. References Chesbrough, H. Rosenbloom. R.S., 2002. The role of the business model in capturing value from innovation: Evidence from Xerox Corporation’s technology spin-off companies. Industrial and Corporate Change, 11(3), p. 529. Chesbrough, H., 2007. Business model innovation: it’s not just about technology anymore. Strategy and Leadership, 35 (6), p. 12 Pateli, A.G. Giaglis, G.M., 2004. A research framework for analysing eBusiness models. European Journal of Information Systems, 13(4), p. 302. Shafer, S.M., Smith, H.J. et al., 2005. The power of business models. Business Horizons 48(3), pp. 199-207. This essay on Ford Automobile Strategic Business Model was written and submitted by user Yoda to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Free Essays on Sex Sells

Writer’s Tool Unchanged from Sophocles to Present The purpose of this paper is to show a common writing angle that has been use by writers throughout time to sell their works. The word sex will perk-up anyone’s ears! So it is obvious that throughout time writers of all types have used sex to get readers/viewers attention. As one of the earliest playwrights, Sophocles knew what it would take to get the attention of his ancient Greek audiences, and it isn’t any wonder that it is this same element that has been used throughout time and even today by writers to get reader’s attention. As a result the storylines are parallel; in that Sophocles’ drama King Oedipus the advertisement would probably mirror that of today’s popular daytime TV talk show dramas: I accidentally murdered my father, married my mother and got her pregnant. So famous is Oedipus and his demented sexual situation, renowned doctor of psychiatry Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams wrote, â€Å"Modern authors have therefore sought to achieve a similar tragic effect by expressing the same conflict in stories of their own invention. If the Oedipus Rex is capable of moving a modern reader or playgoer no less powerfully than it moved the contemporary Greeks, the only possible explanation is that the effect of the Greek tragedy does not depend upon the conflict between fate and human will, but upon the peculiar nature of the material by which this conflict is revealed.† Freud went as far as naming Oedipus’s relationship quandary describing it as an Oedipus Complex, a desire for sexual involvement with the parent of the opposite sex and a concomitant sense of rivalry with the parent of the same sex; a crucial stage in the normal developmental process. â€Å"Falling in love with one parent and hating the other forms part of the permanent stock of the psychic impulses which arise in early childhood, and are of such importance as the material... Free Essays on Sex Sells Free Essays on Sex Sells SEX SELLS Writer’s Tool Unchanged from Sophocles to Present The purpose of this paper is to show a common writing angle that has been use by writers throughout time to sell their works. The word sex will perk-up anyone’s ears! So it is obvious that throughout time writers of all types have used sex to get readers/viewers attention. As one of the earliest playwrights, Sophocles knew what it would take to get the attention of his ancient Greek audiences, and it isn’t any wonder that it is this same element that has been used throughout time and even today by writers to get reader’s attention. As a result the storylines are parallel; in that Sophocles’ drama King Oedipus the advertisement would probably mirror that of today’s popular daytime TV talk show dramas: I accidentally murdered my father, married my mother and got her pregnant. So famous is Oedipus and his demented sexual situation, renowned doctor of psychiatry Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams wrote, â€Å"Modern authors have therefore sought to achieve a similar tragic effect by expressing the same conflict in stories of their own invention. If the Oedipus Rex is capable of moving a modern reader or playgoer no less powerfully than it moved the contemporary Greeks, the only possible explanation is that the effect of the Greek tragedy does not depend upon the conflict between fate and human will, but upon the peculiar nature of the material by which this conflict is revealed.† Freud went as far as naming Oedipus’s relationship quandary describing it as an Oedipus Complex, a desire for sexual involvement with the parent of the opposite sex and a concomitant sense of rivalry with the parent of the same sex; a crucial stage in the normal developmental process. â€Å"Falling in love with one parent and hating the other forms part of the permanent stock of the psychic impulses which arise in early childhood, and are of such importance as the material... Free Essays on Sex Sells Question:Consider the visual impact of billboards on society. Research the use of the ‘sex sells’ clichà © in relation to imagery, text and social values Essay: Billboards are a very effective way of advertising and have a large impact on society. This can be either a negative or positive impact, which varies from poster to poster. Designers are faced with the task of making their ad appealing to the vast audience that will pass the billboard every day so these posters must have certain qualities to make them eye-catching and interesting. They must be bold, have appropriate use of colour, be readable and/or recognizable and clear. They must also be able to make the product appealing to the audience, and this is where the ‘sex sells’ clichà © comes into it. Nowadays society is getting more and more relaxed in its view towards sex, it is now quite common to see a billboard with a beautiful, voluptuous woman advertising anything from shampoo to car accessories. In the past publicising sex or using sex to sell or promote anything was frowned upon but as the power has passed down through the generations it has been looked upon with a more liberal attitude. Society is slowly accepting these posters but every now and then the boundaries are pushed or tested by advertisements that try to g o that little bit further in search of uniqueness or, most of the time controversy. Controversy can play a big part to whether or not billboards fulfil their task. Companies are always looking for something that separates their poster from the rest so by pushing the boundaries and creating a sexually provocative poster which they know will most likely cause debate is worth its weight in gold, as there is nothing better than free publicity. One example of this is the new Windsor Smith billboard advertising their new shoes (shown below). The ad shows a man wearing the shoes standing over a scantily clad woman. It has a sexual under... Free Essays on Sex Sells We have all watched TV in our lives one point or another. We have all seen many commercial’s where they will have some attractive women selling a product. These companies always put hot young women for everything they sell to draw the attention of their viewers. The women in the commercials always have a certain image good skin, nice hair and they are always thin. Many females think if they get these products they will have the same sex appeal as the women on the commercials. Indeed sex sells whether it is shampoo, a gum commercial or just a cover of a magazine. First of all, shampoo commercials use a great deal of sex appeal. It seems like everyday I see a Pert Plus commercial. In that commercial, the woman is not sure which shampoo to use when she is in the shower, of course she is attractive so she picks up pert plus and she has a great time shampooing her hair. In the Herbal Essence commercial, they have this very attractive woman putting the shampoo in her hair, then screaming because it is so good. Last, but not least, I think everyone has seen a Head and Shoulders commercial. Once again attractive woman having head problems and she tries Head and Shoulder and wont return to her old shampoo. They do this to seduce the viewers into wanting to buy their products. The second commercial that uses a great deal of sex appeal is gum commercials. In Dentine Ice, Winter Fresh and Big Red commercials they all have the same pitch. In every one of those commercials they have a Hollywood couple and one of them puts the gum in their mouth and they start making out. Both of them look like a typical commercial couple. The third product that has a great deal of sex appeal is magazines. FHM, Maxim and Stuff all have attractive women on the cover to seduce the readers to buy their product. In conclusion, sex does sell products. But do we really need some super models telling us what to buy?...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

SABIC Company , (international business) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

SABIC Company , (international business) - Essay Example al., 2012). From the history of international business, it can be learnt that international organisations have been in existence for centuries, but at present these organisations are characterised by explosive growth and close control of foreign business activities. They market the products and services in different ways than their predecessors did. Traditionally, the complex international business transactions were the domain of representatives, global policies and business specialists. Currently, a converging set of strong economic, social and cultural trends demand that every citizen has certain kind of international eloquence and that must be understood by organisations that operate international businesses (Hill, 2010). Based on this aspect, the report describes international business of one multinational organisation namely SABIC. ... The international business environment is quite complex and diverse than the domestic business environment. This international business is influenced by the process of globalisation. Globalisation denotes the on-going social economic and political procedures that inflate the relationship and encompass the interdependencies among people and organisations of various nations (Rugman & Collinson, 2012). The era of globalisation has brought about a rapid increase in the level of international trade and financial integration. There have also been changes in the configuration of trade and product flows. The forces of globalisation are intense and they are impacting the business activities of organisations. The initiations of information and communication technology (ICT) and quick economic liberalisation of business and investment in several nations have augmented the procedure of globalisation. Present market is swamped with not only industrial commodities but also with the items of regula r consumption. Every day an average individual utilises such products and services which are from different origins. The increased integration of market, mobility of people with international travel for employment along with internet penetration has virtually transformed the international business (Joshi, n.d.; Tayeb, 2000). Globalisation and International Business of SABIC One prevalent example of globalisation and its impact on international business can be observed from a Saudi Arabian multinational organisation namely SABIC. SABIC is a chemical producer which specialises in manufacturing a variety of chemicals, polymers and fertilisers among others. It was established in the year 1976 and since then the organisation has expanded the business considerably in

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Theoretical Models of Leadership and Personal Reflection Essay

Theoretical Models of Leadership and Personal Reflection - Essay Example However, actual practice in nursing might dictate an incremental trust-building exercise to achieve long-term relationship growth. Starnes, et al. (2010) identifies that legitimate relationships are developed over time, beginning with small-scale acts and evolving into reciprocal acts with both employee and the leader. Trust is developed at the point in relationship where both leader and employee assume responsibility for development and growth in relationship by showing high affection and respect for one another through these acts (Starnes, et al 2010). Transformational leadership utilises collaborative methodologies in order to inspire commitment and motivation toward achievement of organisational goals, an idealized influence of role modelled behaviour that also seeks to inspire creativity and innovation in employees (Bass, et al. 2003). â€Å"Trust and distrust are embodied in the rules, roles and relations which some men impose on, or seek to get accepted by others† (Farr ell and Knight 2003, p.67). Getting nurses and other health care staff (or even patients) to follow the direction of the transformational leader includes not only behaviours, but the systems and structures that guide either autonomous work or rules guiding behaviour by which the transformational leader abides as well to enact idealized influence. Does this mean having more controls to gain trust? Transactional leadership is a significantly different approach to leadership in which the manager creates contingent rewards that are based on individual employee or group performance (Antonakis, et al. 2003). This style includes the development of a psychological contract where the leader promises acknowledgement for proper performance or guarantees of leader non-intervention so long as work... According to the report findings  the ideological goal of transformational style is to build long-term trust with health care employees individually or in groups, using practice in-line with a more people-centred leader. However, actual practice in nursing might dictate an incremental trust-building exercise to achieve long-term relationship growth. Legitimate relationships are developed over time, beginning with small-scale acts and evolving into reciprocal acts with both employee and the leader. Trust is developed at the point in relationship where both leader and employee assume responsibility for development and growth in relationship by showing high affection and respect for one another through these acts.As the paper discusses  transformational leadership utilises collaborative methodologies in order to inspire commitment and motivation toward achievement of organisational goals, an idealized influence of role modelled behaviour that also seeks to inspire creativity and inn ovation in employees.  Transactional leadership is a significantly different approach to leadership in which the manager creates contingent rewards that are based on individual employee or group performance.  This style includes the development of a psychological contract where the leader promises acknowledgement for proper performance or guarantees of leader non-intervention so long as work performance outputs are meeting expected organisational goals. Clear task discussion between leader and health care employee leads to understanding of expected rewards in transactional leadership.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Port Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Port Management - Essay Example These include increased competition among ports, changes in transport technology and ports, and internal competition for global markets. Over the recent years, lending agencies and governments have come to agree on the view that the participation of the private sector can be a powerful tool for improving the performance of port assets. Many government officials and port managers believe that privatization is the only way in which the performance of public port organizations can be improved. This view emerges from the believe that some specific characteristics of the private sector are very critical in the achievement of the desired commercial success in ports. Currently, many ports have undergone reformations with an aim of reducing the role of government in port operations. In this case, the government is supposed to maintain the landlord function only. Port reform also enables a port to obtain financial autonomy and achieve increase productivity. The aim of this report is to analyz e the benefits and burdens of port reform with respect to existing forms of reform. The main objective of the report is to analyze the benefit offered by each form of port reform. Finally, the paper determines if the benefits of port reform overweigh its burdens. 2.0 Benefits of port reform 2.1 Forms of port reform strategy The overall benefit of port reform is improved operational and organizational performance. This can be achieved through the adoption of an appropriate form of port reform strategy. These forms include commercialization, privatization, corporation, liberalization or deregulation port services and modernization of Port Administration and management. These strategies present different benefits hence they are normally chosen depending on setting of the specific port. 2.1.1 Commercialization In commercialization, a public port is not changed into a private company. However, the port authorities apply accounting and management principles which are similar to those of p rivate companies. The main benefits that commercialization offers to a port is the attainment of increased accountability and autonomy in terms of decision-making and overall performance. This means that a port is free to adopt the characteristics and practices of private sector and the end results of such step improved efficiency and profitability. Commercialization as a reform strategy is characterized by decentralization of the decision-making process. This means the port management does not have to wait for a government dictate each and everything that happens in the port. Instead, they are able to make prompt decisions or change former decisions as dictated by circumstances. Decentralization also encourages specialization which is important in the delivery of quality services or leadership. Gos (1990) states that the involvement of government in port management complicates the hierarchy of its management hence commercialization as a port reform strategy therefore helps to relax this hierarchy. This enables the port management to exercise more control over, procurement and purchasing, budgeting, hiring and firing, maintenance strategies and

Friday, November 15, 2019

How Important Is Language Variation Towards Language English Language Essay

How Important Is Language Variation Towards Language English Language Essay Since English is used globally as the international communication tool, the number of English users increased rapidly, Kachru (1992 cited in Andrews, A Tsui 2007) says. Even in the next few decades will witness an unprecedented rapid growth in the number of English users of English worldwide range from a rather conservative 700 to 800 millions to a more liberal estimate of two billion. Moreover, this fact evokes the number of English users from many different countries which draw impact to the various language styles, accents, dialects which is familiar with term of language variation . Furthermore, recently the majority of English users and English teachers are not native speakers of English, and they do not use the same linguistic forms (Henry, P 2009). Additionally she explains that understanding language variation is fundamental to understand the use of and teaching English in global context. Moreover, nowadays language variation becomes a main issue among linguists and sociolinguists because it has relationship with social communities. The use of the language is various according to social groups because they do not use the language in similar way, as the way language that is used to greet and compliment is distinctively expressed in a particular cultural group (Holmes, 2008 pp.3) This paper will deal with the question of How important does language variation toward language teaching? This issue will contribute some ideas for English teachers, especially for EFL contexts to generate awareness of English teachers to language variation in international communication. The consideration of this awareness will draw some ideas for teachers to design teaching materials appropriate with recent phenomena of the use and the users of language which are very various. Furthermore, the teaching aids are considered play important role to assist more understanding to the language variation itself. Besides, teachers will prepare the learners to be good English users with highly understanding to how to use language appropriately towards the diversity of language use and users to avoid miscommunication and maintain the politeness, and to support good career and study in the future. DISCUSSION Language can identify the person cultural background because the language and culture can not be in isolation (Sapir, E, 1920s cited in Hinkel, 1999). That is why, when someone speaks another language (English), the way he/she speaks will be influenced by the way he/she thinks in his first language. As claimed by Holmes (2008, pp.153) that the way you speak is usually a good indicator of your social background with many speech features that can be used as clues. Moreover, culture is the domain of humanity that includes all social aspects such as activities, group systems and human behaviours (Hinkel, 1999 pp.1). Therefore, sociolinguists investigate what the connections between language and society are. Specifically, Holmes (2008,) asked three main questions in sociolinguistics that focuses on the reasons why do people in different social context speak differently, the concerns to the language in social functions, and it is used in conveying social meaning (pp.1). It is obvious that the different background of the language users will give impact to the variety of language. Furthermore, in term of the use of language, Holmes (2008) states that people use a language to signal their membership of particular group and to construct different aspects of their social identity; social status, gender, age, ethnicity and the kind of social networks people belong to turn out to be important dimension of identity in many communities. For example, in term of gender, women tend to reinforce their own subordinate status; they were colluding in reinforce their own subordination by the way they spoke in the interaction which is considered more polite than men (Lakoff, R cited in Holmes, 2008, p. 284). Additionally, she illustrates the example of the use tags questions. Although the use of tags questions is slightly different in number of men and women to use it, females purpose to use tags questions to make her sentences softer and to sound more polite. Besides, the way between females and males in giving complement is different. Men tend to use short expression such a s you look nice, in comparison females will use longer expression than males such as oh dear, look at you, you look so gorgeous, In term of age, in Indonesia, younger people will address to older people or to people who have higher position by addressing them with some term of words such as bapak (sir), and ibu (madam). It is different with western culture where younger people merely address the older people by their name. This issue reflect to the way they communicate when they are not in their contexts which draw some confusion which is the correct way to address older people in western country. Indonesian students in the beginning will feel uncomfortable to address their lecture by name; they will feel they are rude and on contrary for westerners, who come to Indonesia, they will bring their culture or their way to address older people by name then Indonesian will think they are rude. That is why, by having good understanding towards language variation, it will help language user s to have good communication from different countries. What is more, according to Chaer Agustina (1995 cited in Prasastie 2006), the term of language variation is based on two opinions existing: the first is language variation is language happens as the result of the variation in society and variation in language function. Further they explains that if the users of a language are homogeneous group in term of ethnic, social status or fields of job, the variation will not exist which means that the language itself become uniform. Additionally, the second opinion they mention that language variation already exist in order to fullfill its function as a mean of interaction in doing various community activities. The ways of teachers speak will be different to the ways of people who work in fish market. Teachers will speak better than fish seller because the image or their work place background determine to the ways they speak. Based on Holmes (2008) in general language variation is divided into regional variation which covers international varieties, intra-national or intra-continental variation, cross-continental variation, social variation which covers social accent, and social dialects which covers standard English, caste dialects, social class dialects (vocabulary, pronunciation, grammatical patterns). In order to make the idea of language variation clearer and why it is considered significant for language teaching, the writer provides one example of social dialects because the research of social dialects in many different countries has revealed a consistent relationship between social class and language pattern (Holmes 2008, p. 141). Moreover, she explains that in caste dialects case where the categorisation of people is based on the commonality of social and economy which generally reflects the use of social dialects (pp. 141). Holmes (2008) takes Indonesia as the sample where social divisions are clear cut. In addition, she writes about an Indonesian student who was trying to explain to her English friends about the complication of social dialects in Java and the ways in which Javanese speakers signal their social background. This student describes how almost every different word fit together in patterns or levels use which depend on who we are talking to. Further, Holmes (2008) presents some samples of words use in Java such as Padjenengan as you in English to point someone from higher class social status, and kowe as you to refer to someone for low class social status. Another sample which is similar to Java social dialects, in Aceh the use of different vocabulary also indicates the different social background of the speakers. The word ulon tuan (I) in English is considered from high social class and educated person compare to use the word ke which is considered rude and impolite and the speaker are ass umed from low social class and uneducated person. Despite of that, the variation of language does not only cover both the users and the use but also the contexts and the adressees of the language that affect the code variety (Holmes 2008, pp. 235). Consequently, some people are more aware of some factors like how they communicate to people who they often and will meet and what are the contexts of the communication whether it is formal or informal situation in order to maintain politeness or to show to what particular social class the speakers belong. Moreover, Fukada Asato (2004, pp. 1994-1995) emphasises the intention of how polite the speakers are in certain situations by using the verbal strategies. Additionally, Holmes (2008, pp.270) said that The rules for polite behaviour differs from one speech community to another and it is culturally determined which different speech communities emphasize different functions and express particular functions differently. For instance, the strategy of apology or request is different between China or Japan or Indonesia. In context of China, the Chinese speakers are not likely to use negative politeness in form of indirect request if face threatening act is not significant or the relationship between speaker and hearer are close. Lee, C.F.K (2004) stated the result of report through her paper about it. She said that : since politeness is basic and essential in communication in many cultures, people are inclined to use redressive actions, for instance, the negative politeness strategy of being indirect, to avoid the face-threatening act or minimising the feeling of imposed on (Lee, C.F.K 2004 p.58). However, Brown and Levinson argue (1987 cited in Lee, C.F.K 2004, pp.58) that the use of redressive actions are different from one culture to another cultures because the consideration of relationship and social distance. For instance, in Japanese culture teachers are highly respected, hence while students or Japanese speakers are talking to teachers, they use of referent and addressee honorific forms to give rise to politeness that they acknowledge their addressee and this acknowledgement due to teachers place (Haugh, M. 2005, pp.63). Beside politeness issue that teachers must aware in their teaching due to the language variation is to teach students how to interact with other speakers appropriately to avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding that usually occurred in intercultural communication. Leigh, J (2004) states that we should not be surprised therefore, to see that the interaction of diverse parochial behaviours across cultural borders often leads to unintended misunderstanding even conflict. Furthermore, he explains that this misunderstanding may appear as the received meaning of the various exotic behaviours messages which are found offensive, even they were not meant to be so. In another words, the miscommunication can be happened because of the different interpretation of the words or expressions or question used to convey the meaning according to different speakers. For example, the question of did u have a good weekend? This question gets different responds from different speakers like Australian sp eakers will respond the question with short respond such as oh it was great, while French speakers will give long respond by telling the whole story about their weekend that includes who were the participants, what happened, where did they spend the weekend and many other information. This case obviously shows that some typical conversational routines in French and Australian English, and the miscommunication that may arise between two speakers from different cultural backgrounds (Beal, C 1992, pp.23). Moreover, based on the sample above, Beal (1992) explains the indication that even the trivial daily phrase may accelerate various understanding related to the expected responses. In addition, Leigh, J (2004) states It is no wonder, therefore, that language is a function of physical and social environment, and that there is great idiosyncratic in each of the numerous language around the world. In language teaching, teachers may not merely emphasise learners to acquire linguistics features or the how to use the language in communication without considering the important of culture from not only the language but also from the cultural background of the various English users all over the globe where English is as lingua franca for international communication. Moreover, Hinkel (1999) illustrates how teachers view of ourselves, our students, and relationship among cultures are represented not only through explicit instruction regarding cultural differences in rhetorical and aesthetic values for texts, but also implicitly in the course content, assignments, and class discussions which engage with the students. Furthermore, Hymes and Gumperz (1960s 1970s) made explicit connection between culture and language and treated interaction and speaking as culturally defined practices, which means the emphasizes the need of studying to the social context that will influence the interacti on of the language users. Therefore, based on the teachers awareness of language variation to the diversity of language use and users from different cultural background, teachers should notice to what they must do in their teaching in order to arise the students awareness to the issue above to maintain politeness, to avoid the misunderstanding or miscommunication, and to improve their academic of language in order to get better opportunity of study or occupation in future. Research has proven that students who have language variation awareness, a positive attitude towards learning of variation, and a clear understanding of the role of variation and identity, culture and communication (Allen, B. H 1973). Due to the facts, therefore the design of curriculum, teaching materials, aids, and techniques might be useful in preparing learners to encounter with English speaking community with the wide range of diversity. The development of teaching materials according to Hinkel (1999, p. 132) are from a variety of perpectives. It means that the development of teaching materials depend on what are the aims of teaching itself. Because in this paper the concentration is the language variation, teachers must think wisely what are the best material can be used to introduce the variation of language and to improve their ability to use the language in the diversity of language users. For example the use of movie as the materials and aids of teaching, in which students can analyse how the language used differently from different users. Moreover, movies (or other authentic media) will bring learners attention to the forms and sociolinguistic variables (Rose, K. 1999). Other possibility of teaching mat erial is using leaflets or tourism brochure, advertisement, magazine, newspaper, radio broadcasting, TV news from different countries. And, perhaps teachers can provide preintermediate EFL text book that aims at international target cultures such as text book written by Priesack Tomscha in 1993 titled One World, Secondary English that was commented by Cortazzi, M, Jin, L (1999, pp. 209) that this book is accompanied by cassettes featuring not only a range of native-speakers accents but also some from non-native speakers from around the world . Hence, students with the assistance of teacher can learn, analyse and compare how people from different countries use the language by also looking at the similarities and differences. Apart from that, there are some advantages for learners in purpose of learning and understanding more about the language variation which can make students understand of how to use the language in different situations; formal and informal, and know how to use the correct expression or to answer the question properly due to whom they are speaking. Moreover, by learning and understanding the language variation, students will build up their confidence to use the language due to different contexts and language users appropriately and comfortably. It also can avoid miscommunication because to have a good communication can not solely depend on lexis and syntax. Therefore, the learners at least have to master intersectional competence that is clearly explained by Celce-Murcia, et.al. (1995 cited by Hall 1995, in Hinkel 1999 pp.137). They elaborated four points of this competence. This competence involves such context-specific knowledge as (1) the goals of the interactive practice, the roles of the participants, and the topics and themes considered pertinent; (2) the optional linguistic action patterns along which the practice may unfold, their conventional meanings, and the expected participation structures; (3) the amount of flexibility one has in rearranging or changing the expected uses of practices linguistic resources when exercising these options and the likely consequences engendered by the various uses; and (4) the skill to mindfully and efficiently recognize situations where the patterns apply and to use them when participating in new experiences to help make sense of the unknown (pp.137). What is more, teachers may not ignore the importance of learning standard language for their students because according to Andrews. S, Tsui, M.B.A (2001, pp.1-3), recently the setting of standard as benchmark for accountability and quality is the main requirements for English education. Moreover, they explain that the increase of requirement of Standard English has increased, especially in economic sector. What is more, Holmes (2001) also mentions that the number of Standard forms in everyones speech increases in formal contexts like in schools or law courts, while vernacular forms increases in relaxed casual contexts such as play ground and the home. However the Standard English users are limited. Therefore, the linguist and the educationalist suggested that the curriculum should cover language awareness to enable the mastery of language standard variety in order to achieve the equality of educational opportunity (Hawkin, 1999 cited in Andrews, S, Tsui, M.B.A 2001, pp. 1-12). Furt hermore, Holmes (2001, p. 349) states the similar issue that Standard English has an enormous legacy of overt prestige and for well over a century it has been promoted as the only acceptable variety for use in all official domains, including education compare to vernacular dialects. The issue of Standard language the writer assumes is not as a hot issue in Indonesia, what is familiar for both teachers and students towards teaching English merely formal and informal English. Even many Indonesian have no idea about what dialects they use whether British or American, because the dictionary which is used mostly mixed between British and American dialects. The dictionary author is Hassan Sadeli. Although many other dictionaries such as Oxford or Cambridge are also available, however, many Indonesian use Hassan Sadeli dictionary because it is probably easier to use and understand. In addition, it also presents the vocabulary in two different ways; English translated into Indonesian and Indonesian translated into English. That is why when Indonesian students want to continue to study abroad, and they have some difficulties in joining IELTS or TOEFL tests due to the Standard language used in those tests that Indonesian students are not really familiar with. Additionally, attitude to language is one consideration that language planners must take into account when they select a suitable language development as an official or national language (Holmes, 2001, p. 343). Because if the language planners do not decide what language is formally used for certain contexts, official, education, and so on, hence it will draw some disadvantages for the language users who use vernacular dialects in their daily life without being told to also learn and master the Standard English which will offer more opportunities for future career or future study especially study abroad. So, it is not surprisingly, if it has also been found that attitudes to the way people speak affect employers decision about whom to hire (Holmes, 2008, p. 354). CONCLUSION Language teaching always brings some ideas to culture, it is not only culture of the language learn or taught (English) but as well as the culture of the users of language and the ways the users use the language which is widely range in diversity. That is why, the discussion of language variation which covers some aspects which includes language users social status background that shows how they use the language differently. The language variation is considered important in language teaching because its contribution of cultural values regards to the different ways of using the language functions or other aspects of language like vocabulary, pronunciation and so far so forth. So that students know how to adjust themselves while interacting in intercultural communication in order to maintain politeness and avoid miscommunication. The writer wish that in the future the language planner would decide which dialects as the standard language, whether it is British or American dialect, so teachers or educationalists would design the curriculum or books or teaching materials which can cover the differences of language (culture, users, and the use). Moreover, if the standard language has already decided both teachers and learners would perform better to achieve their aims in teaching and learning the language. In another words, it will give clearer goals of learning the language. Some teachers who are from non-English countries face some difficulties in teaching cultural and pragmatic paradigm of face-to-face interactions because students would find problem to have direct contact with members of different communities around them (Hinkel, 1999, p. 134). What is more, the other problematic remained is the lack of teachers awareness to language variation, it is assumed because the limitation of resources and research of language variation which is considered not popular in Indonesia.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Electoral College Versus a Direct Election System Essay -- Politic

The Electoral College Versus a Direct Election System â€Å"The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President†¦they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President† (Findlaw.com). The Twelfth Amendment set forth the rules and regulations for which the Office of President shall be determined. The founding fathers, in the second constitutional convention, laid the grounds on which setup what would be the Electoral College. Adoption of the Electoral College plan came late in the Convention, which had previously adopted on four occasions provisions for election of the executive by the Congress and had twice defeated proposals for election by the people directly. So why not conduct a direct election, by the people? After all, the President was to serve the people. There were four main reasons why the delegates of the Second Constitutional Convention wanted an electoral system. For one, a census as a prelude to the first election could not be taken. The first election served more as an appointment. There was not time for delegates to go back home, while under this newly formed Constitution, and search for delegates. Who would serve to defend the Constitution while this happened? The delegates knew this before hand. The states had a wide variety of suffrage requirements. If electors were to be chosen on the basis of population, should slaves count as a property, or under population? Even though they held large populations, the larger states rejected the idea of a popular vote. Virginia, one of the largest states of the time, had a population of 748,000. Of those, 306,000 were slaves, whic... ...cedure, until a 3/5ths of the states decide against it. Even the Founders themselves once supported a direct election process, but as they researched the outcome of such a system, the repercussions and consequences outweighed the chance to be a true democracy. Even so in 2000, the Electoral College has seen action for 200 years, and it will continue standing in lieu of public scrutiny, and even dimpled chads. Works Cited Census.gov. Visited Dec 5. http://www.census.gov/. Ferrand, Max, ed., Records of the Federal Convention. New Haven, 1911. 2:584 Findlaw.com. Visited Dec 6. http://www.findlaw.com/ James Madison to Henry Lee. 14 Jan. 1825, Records, ed. by Max Ferrand, 3:464. Kuroda, Tadahisa. The Origins of the Twelfth Amendment. Greenwood. 1994. Wood, Gordon. Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787. Chapel Hill 1969.