Multiple Sclerosis :: essays research papers

The name itself is revealing: multiple, more than one, and sclerosis, which refers to areas of sclerotic (scarred) tissue. Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the white matter of the central nervous system.These areas of sclerosis, also referred to as lesions or plaques, occur in the white matter of the central nervous system. Gray matter consists primarily of nerve cells. Axons (nerve fibers) are the connections between the cell body and the muscles, sensory organs, and primary organs such as the heart. These nerve cells are the communication system both within the central nervous system and between it and the rest of the body. Axons are sheathed in myelin, a white substance (hence the term "white matter") that insulates them and speeds transmission of impulses along the cell fibers. Electrical impulses move along the nerve fiber to the synapse (the connection point between cells) to the next nerve cell.The lesions or plaques of multiple sclerosis are areas of tissue damage arising from inflammation, which occurs when white blood cells and fluid accumulate around blood vessels. This inflammation causes destruction of myelin. After the fragments are cleared away, a scar is formed--the lesion--in the area of demyelinization. The cause-and-effect process of inflammation and demyelinization is unclear. These lesions impede conduction of signals by blocking or slowing communication, either completely or partially and from time to time. The process can be thought of as similar to an electrical short circuit. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis result from that loss or diminution of signal conduction.MS is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. In the United States alone, there are at least 250,000 cases. For reasons that remain unclear, it is more prevalent in northern temperate zones and affects noticeably more women than men. The average age of onset is thirty years.Research into the underlying causes and processes of MS is ongoing, and in recent years, advances in virology and immunology have rapidly increased knowledge and understanding of the disease. However, its etiology remains unclear. Epidemiological studies indicate that an environmental factor, perhaps exposure to a virus, when combined with a genetic predisposition to the disease, may well control occurrence of the disease. MS is not a genetically transmitted disease. MS may also be or involve a defect of some kind in the body's autoimmune system--some part of the body may, in effect, attack itself.Diagnosis of MS is difficult.

Personal application assignment Essay

Prompt 1 I am currently employed as the Assistant City Manager/Director of Economic Development with the City of Mount Rainier, a small municipality located in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Mount Rainier is a historic residential community that borders the District of Columbia. Within the last several months, the city has been exploring the option of redeveloping its downtown district with the aims of removing blight and increasing tourism. In addition, the City of Mount Rainier has been trying to brand a new identity. As Assistant City Manager/Director of Economic Development, my role is to develop a plan that will aid the city in the revitalization its downtown retail and commercial district making it a desirable destination place. Currently, the downtown area lacks a mass of shopping, dining, and entertainment to attract visitors or residents. Along with spearheading these efforts, I am also responsible for finding funding to aid the city improve the public infrastructure that will aid in the revitalization of the downtown area. Evidently, the organization’s current orientation towards the tourism market is weak. The population has not yet been well oriented in the details of the tourism industry despite the city’s significant potential in the business. At the moment, Mount Rainier is not an obvious tourist destination. While the city does have a mix of tourist products and activities of interest for visitors, there are currently not enough infrastructures, enterprise motivation, and marketing advertisements to make a significant part of the tourism market take notice of such products. Future development in Mount Rainier will not just create a space for tourist, but will aid the city market its underutilized areas. The target customers are the local community, developers/investors and the focus is on the tourism market. It is recognized that the current economic crisis has actually caused a decline in out-of-the-country tourism for Americans and more and more Americans are going on vacation at locations in their own state or in other nearby states (Brown, 2008; Julio, 2008). This provides a market opportunity for the organization to take advantage of. Currently, the organization does not have a formal customer service rating system that can adequately measure customer satisfaction. Data on customer satisfaction is basically sourced through word-of-mouth and through survey forms given out independently by various tourism oriented services. Based on the previous topics, strong marketing and customer service management systems need to be established for the organization to take the first step in realizing its long term goals in the tourism industry. Prompt 2 The value creation and delivery sequences of the departments valued core competencies is coordinating how the City of Mount Rainier markets itself to businesses and developers, ensuring the implementation of financial packaging for development, attraction and retention. â€Å"Providing a value through specific product features, service development, pricing, sourcing and making the offer†(Kotler and Keller, 2008, p. 21). In other words, the value creation and delivery process in which has been created, gives the city the capability to understand and capture customer value, allowing the right activities for strategic planning in marketing economic development in the City of Mount Rainier. Specifically, the value chain in the organization’s efforts on tourism development begins with the identification of key tourism demands. It proceeds from this point to the customization of available resources to meet such identified demands. Finally, the products that address the identified demands are marketed and released. In line with this value chain, the core competencies of the organization include a strong expertise in conducting quantitative and qualitative research and managing communications between investor and investment representatives. Strength in formal research is known to be one of the effective components of business decision making (Hanson, 2008). With this core competency, an organization can realistically predict market outcomes and take advantage of identified opportunities. On the other hand, effective communications management is also essential in investment relations management. When an organization is able to maintain excellent communication lines, the risk of miscommunication is reduced, thereby allowing the organization to present and gather information from relevant groups accurately (Giannetto, 2006). According to Kotler and Keller, â€Å"a clear and thoughtful mission statement provides employees with a shared sensed of purpose, direction, and opportunity†(p. 27). The City of Mount Rainier’s value chain is driven by the mission statement which employees the department of economic development so heavily rely upon. As an organization, the City of Mount Rainier ‘s department of economic developments purpose is the coordination, planning, supervision, and in some cases, the execution of all programs, policies, proposals, and functions related to economic development. MDED also advises the Mayor and citizens on the most effective allocation of public resources devoted to economic development in the City. The vision of the organization is a city that is able to maximize all of its available resources and attract investors in developing all of its potential services. This envisioned city is has a stable, flourishing economy that is well managed by its officials who are empowered with decision-making information based on valid and reliable research. The mission-vision of the organization definitively plots the course of its strategic planning by setting reasonable short-term and achievable long term goals. On the short-term, the goal based on the mission is to identify key areas of development where the organization can recommend city funding to be utilized with the best possibilities for the greatest returns on investment. On the long-term, this organization intends to follow through with identified areas of development and establish programs that can explore such potentials completely. With the vision as its guiding perspective on what is the ideal, the organization studies how other cities are able to achieve similar goals in the past and determines the extent of applicability of such strategies to the City of Mount Rainier. Prompt 3 Using a classical approach, the City of Mount Rainier Department of Economic Development conducts its marketing research using an in-house research approach. The first step to this approach is drafting a brief by the manager discussing the area selected for the project. In the latter, Mayor and Council is provided with a verbal explanation and description of what is required, together with relevant background documents and samples of products or demonstration of services to be studied. Then Mayor and Council will hold public hearings to seeking the views of citizens on the proposed project. In addition, to conducting in-house marketing research the City contracts marketing research consultants to aid the city in determining the right development to build a healthy economy and increasing property tax dollars for the city. Thus, identifying and targeting development that that will be a good fit for the municipality. This approach to decision making provides a way of assessing the value of additional information that maybe inaccessible to staff. Another key aspect to this marketing research approach strategically shows comprehensive demographics, consumer demand and other feasibility studies that will be very costly and time consuming for a very small agency to conduct. Socio-cultural factors affect the intended clients since such factors are a part of the tourism experience. Many customers wish to have different cultural experiences and so diversity plays an important role. Situational factors, specifically natural phenomenon can greatly affect customer’s purchasing decisions as well. For example, the occurrence of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane can make customers shy away from the products even after rebuilding for fear of the occurrence repeating itself. On the other hand, other situations such as the occurrence of something noteworthy can be a positive factor that can draw customers to purchase tourism products. Prompt 4 The primary customer segments that the City of Mount Rainier Department of Economic Development target and provide services to are the community and investors/developers. The difference between the two entities is only what each requires from the City. As a local government, the community defines the development process challenging the undesirable and unacceptable disparities that may affect their quality of living. In other words, the community’s needs are to keep the nature that it is used to while developing sectors to gain greater financial leverage. On the other hand, investors/developers goals are to create, expand, or improve the endeavors of the city and would promote economic vitality. This requires for change to be effected by the government that would make the environment suitable for investments. These primary customer segments offer competitive positioning, increased visitation and a yield with significant growth potential. Competitive positioning allows companies to perceive and address their strengths and weaknesses against existing competitors and develop plans based on such analysis (Porter, 1980). The primary product strengths of the City of Mount Rainier are arts, theatre and cultural heritage, tourism, and accommodation. These focus areas and key strengths provide a framework to advance the commitments of strategic imperatives and guide investment throughout the city. The main advantages and uniqueness of the City of Mount Rainier, is its geographic location, local market demand and integration with other market clusters. With low-cost real estate and relatively cheaper labor costs in comparison to neighboring Washington D. C. , these attributes have been identified as key success factors for economic development. The organization can market these advantages to potential investors in order to get them to appreciate making investments in the city.

Building A Wall Will Not Solve The Illegal Immigrant...

Building a wall will not solve the illegal immigrant problem from Mexico. Just getting the rights to build the wall along with the cost of building the wall will present many challenges. The talks between Mexico and the United States about the wall have already begun to create a separation between the two countries. The astronomical cost of the wall is another reason why Building a wall will help solve many problems like illegal immigrants, drugs, guns, etc. And it will protect the United States from any the peril, and it has the effect on our demographic rate. Currently, we are in the top list for the threat of many other foreign countries and also building a wall will not only protect the country but also it will create the nation†¦show more content†¦The Native Americans who have land on both sides of the border also have the right to stop the wall from being constructed. In the past when they had allowed vehicle barriers to be built on their land, workers dishonored Na tive American burial grounds. These are all problems that Donald Trump will encounter just like previous presidents and will most likely be what will prevent the wall from being constructed (Bier). Another reason why a wall should not be built between Mexico and the United States is the amount of money that it would cost to build and maintain. Since the creation of the border wall, the United States has spent about $7 billion dollars to construct and maintain the current wall. Most of the existing wall is only vehicle barriers which are relatively inexpensive. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers predicts that Donald Trump s 30-Foot-tall wall will cost approximately $31.2 Billion Dollars at about $31.2 million dollars for one mile. This price does not even include the cos of maintaining a wall that large. The cost of maintenance for the current fence is about half of the expense of the fence over the past ten years. The monetary cost of the wall is far greater than the benefits that it might have (Bier). Building a wall between Mexico and the United States will only create a separation between the two countries. President Donald Trump has already begun to deteriorate theShow MoreRelatedTypes Of People, Conformists And Non Conformists939 Words   |  4 Pageskeep certain traditions or practices that we think are important. Then again, if we do not try out new things or look at something in a different way. How could we ever improve ourselves to become a greater individual? Donald Trump, a businessman from New York who is currently running for president as a republican for the United States. Unlike other presidential candidates, Trump’s attitude and beliefs were much different when he delivered his speech. He was extremely aggressive towards other candidatesRead MoreTypes Of People : Conformists And Non Conformists1429 Words   |  6 Pagesanimals’† (Bahadur). What was interesting was that, the people who sat in the debate room actually enjoyed it and laughed a lot. They made it seemed like they do not care about who is going to be the next president anymore. Donald Trump, a businessman from New York who is currently running for president as a republican for the United States. Unlike other presidential candidates, Trump’s attitude, style and beliefs are much different than everyone else. The way he delivers his speech is entertaining andRead MoreThe Illegal Immigration Issue And The Security Of The U.S.1173 Words   |  5 PagesThe illegal immigration issue and the security of the U.S. Economy have been two hot topics all over the news during the 2016 election champion. One main solution that now president Trump provided during his champion was building the wall along the side of the US southern border. Although many who voted for that he mostly agree to the idea, many others thought that was bad for the Economy, Globalization, and most importantly the U.S. Economy. Nationwide, a debate on the issue of whether or not URead MoreBorder Fence a Solution to Illegal Immigration1314 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican and Mexican nations need to create and implement a better plan to deal with illegal immigration other than a wall that destroys lands and causes many deaths each year. Outline: 1. Building a wall would only temporally stop emigrants from entering illegally. a. Concession: A wall would only be a temporary deterrent. b. People who are determined to enter the country will find ways around the wall. (ie: over, under, around) c. Harsher penalties for those who overstay their visas andRead MorePresident Trump s Campaign On The United States And The Border Of Mexico931 Words   |  4 PagesVincent Presogna Prof. Joe Georges ECC POLI 1 4176 JG SP17 26 April 2017 Trumps Wall One of Presidents Trumps major campaign promises was to build a wall between the southern border of the United States and the northern border of Mexico. Trump has repeatedly said that he would get Mexico to pay for the construction of the wall. Mexico has repeatedly told President Trump they will not pay for the wall. President Trump has announced that he will proceed first with American tax dollars. LetRead MoreDonald Trump s Building A Wall Across The Entire Border Essay807 Words   |  4 Pagesplan is quite radical. The idea of building a wall across the entire southeastern border is extremely radical in itself. Trump compares the simplicity of such a wall to the 95-story skyscrapers he has built. Ali F. Rhuzkan has tackled the topic of the reality of a President Trump building a wall across the entire Mexican-American border in his article on the National Memo. Rhuzkan claims that the main problems with Trump’s proposed wall are not technical problems, but logistical ones. Rhuzkan pointsRead MoreImmigration Through The Eyes Of Donald Trump1648 Words   |  7 PagesImmigration through the Eyes of Donald Trump Make America great again! As Donald Trump’s slogan goes on to say; but what does it mean to make America great again? Does it mean we need to deport all the immigrants back to their country? Seems like Donald Trump has an idea about what can be done to improve our country. Trump has to be the most controversial presidential candidate running in the 2016 election, and his opinion about the immigration policy is his most talked about issue that continuesRead MoreBorder Wall - Usa, Mexico2635 Words   |  11 PagesStates-Mexican Border Wall Immigrants founded the United States of America and ever since then there have been people from all over the world coming to America for a chance at a better life for themselves and their families. Immigrants from all over the world come, some legally and some illegally. A majority of these immigrants come from southern-border country Mexico. Everyday, the United States has hundreds of illegal immigrants come into the country. They cross over from the Rio Grande intoRead MoreUSA-Mexico Border Wall2554 Words   |  11 PagesStates-Mexican Border Wall Immigrants founded the United States of America and ever since then there have been people from all over the world coming to America for a chance at a better life for themselves and their families. Immigrants from all over the world come, some legally and some illegally. A majority of these immigrants come from southern-border country Mexico. Everyday, the United States has hundreds of illegal immigrants come into the country. They cross over from the Rio Grande into Texas;Read MoreIllegal Immigration Is The United States1548 Words   |  7 PagesIllegal immigration has almost always been a part of the United States. There seems to be a neverending amount of people who believe in the â€Å"land of opportunity†, the home of the free and the brave. However, it seems that some may be more opportune than others. Illegal immigrants come to America with hopes and dreams of living a better lifestyle than the one that they currently possess. Currently, the American citizenship proces s is antiquated and not suited to fit a modern United States of America

The Role Of Federal Government On Social Welfare Programs

Role of Federal Government Federal Government has the ability to create positive change in many social welfare systems. The support of the government ultimately determines the success of a social welfare program. They play an important role in the decisions of how funds are allocated and the importance of these various vulnerable populations. The federal government is used as a tool, to help implement and support social welfare programs. However, from my own opinion, it is sometimes lacking in the proper support needed in many aspects. This is caused by a plethora of reasons, not to say that the government is completely unsupportive. Yet, there may be a gap in the perception of these social issues. The government puts in place laws, regulations, system structures, and so on. Therefore, because the government are the implementers of how our country is ran, it is their responsibility to be a main facets in the support of the gaps that inevitably occur. Nonetheless, it can be difficult to understand the needs of these population’s and the reality of their hardships. Most in a position of power, such as the federal government, have not experienced the severity of the many situations, that results in individuals needing assistance from these social welfare programs. Moreover, it is essential that there is outreach to these populations. All the same, getting a more realistic view of the life in these contexts. For instance, the time cap of being on assistance throughout one’sShow MoreRelatedI Am Writing About The Social Welfare System Essay1432 Words   |  6 PagesI am writing about the Social Welfare System. How a system that was created for the purpose of helping the needy, has now become a highway for people to abuse of it. This public policy program has come to be a very controversial subject on both sides of the political arena. Originally created during the Great Depression, where the majority of households, through no fault of their own were living in poverty. Althoug h many changes to the system have been made, the original focus is the same. ToRead More Social Welfare Past and Present Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Welfare Past and Present Social welfare is an expansive system proposed to maintain the well being of individuals within a society. This paper will explain the progression from the feudal system and church provisions for the poor before the Elizabethan Poor Law to the gradual assumption of the responsibility for the poor by the government. A responsibility assumed not out of humanity and concern for the poor, but as a process of standardizing the ways in which the poor were to be managedRead More Power Shifts In Intergovernmental Relations: A Result Of Fiscal Feder835 Words   |  4 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Fiscal federalism is the result of the states dependence on the national government for funds. Until 1913, the national government had minimal monetary resources, thus possessing little control over the affairs of the states. Once effected, the Sixteenth Amendment resulted in the amassing of government funds on the national level. This reserve of money enabled the national government to initiate a multitude of national programs--such as the interstate highway--as well as provide grants to the statesRead MoreFederalism in Welfare Programs Essay1628 Words   |  7 PagesFederalism In Welfare Programs POL 201 August 15, 2013 Federalism and Welfare Programs This essay is to inform you of federal policy issues involving welfare causing conflicting debates between national, state, and local government and how these conflicting issues relate to federalism. Federalism is â€Å"A government system where power and authority are shared by national and states governments, with the ultimate authority derived from the people. (Levin-Waldman, 2012). This paper will also describeRead More The Increase of Social Welfare in the United States Essays1250 Words   |  5 PagesThe Increase of Social Welfare in the United States Social Welfare is defined as being programs that are run by government to promote the well being of its citizens. Throughout the history of the United States Social Welfare programs have been subject to many changes, due to the changing philosophies of Us Citizens. During Colonial times Social Welfare needs were met primarily through mutual aid. The majority of people lived in farming communities. People in these communities lived in extendedRead MoreFood Stamps to SNAP Essay1030 Words   |  5 PagesFood Stamp is a government-funded program in the United States. This is a program that helps people buy food for their families; in other words, it is a very important program to families living in poverty. It is the nation’s most important program in the fight against hunger. This program was developed in the 1960’s; it is made to improve the nutrition level and food purchasing power of people with low-income. 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After all, economics deals with money and social issues deal with people. But money and people are inexorably intertwined, both in government policy and in real life. Just as a person can not get by in the world without money of some kind (orRead MoreThe History Of Medicare And The Social Security Act1686 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Medicare and Medicaid programs. The passage of Medicare and Medicaid had a storied history before it crushed the walls that had separated the federal government and the U.S. healthcare system. Historically, the prevailing thought of many Americans up until the 1920’s and 1930’s was that medical care was largely a private transaction between a medical practitioner and a patient. This doctor-patient relationship was sacre d and there was no need for the federal government to intervene in this relationshipRead MoreProgressive Era Essay889 Words   |  4 PagesThe role and responsibilities of the federal government changed drastically during the Progressive Era and the New Deal. Rapid changes after the Civil War brought on a need for economic, social and political reforms. Before the Progressive Era and the New Deal, the federal government took a very hands-off approach and had little involvement in, and little care for the welfare of the American people. With the Progressive Era and the New Deal, the federal government became more involved and responsive

Rhetorical Analysis Of Yeats Poem Essay - 769 Words

Rhetorical Analysis: â€Å"How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true, But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face.†(Yeats, 1893). This sentence is picked up from ‘When you are old’, a love poem written by an Irish poet called William Butler Yeats. Although he was tortured by the unrequited love, he still strongly expressed his admire to the only love of his life (Poetry foundation, 2016). In the first line, the word ‘many’ tells the audience that her beauty was pursued by rivals. Whereas in the third line, the word ‘one’ emphasise Yeats’ unique love towards her passionate soul. By contrasting ‘many’ and ‘one’, it conveys that other men loved ‘your’ physical appearance and it is not true love. However, ‘I’ love ‘your’ intrinsic nature and everything about ‘you’. Yeats intended to use this poem to illustrate ‘I’ am the only one who loved ‘you’ for real. Furthermore, Yeats appeals to logic by using antithetical terms, ‘false’ and ‘true’, ‘beauty’ and ‘pilgrim soul’, ‘your moments of glad grace’ and ‘the sorrows of your changing face’, pointed out how difference his love is compared with other men. Additionally, though ‘I’ is not using in the sentence, Yeats successfully interjected himself into this poem. The use of second person narrative creates a direct connection between the writer and the audience. In other words, it evoke pathos through putting the audience into the situation andShow MoreRelated Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Essay: An Analysis846 Words   |  4 PagesAn Analysis of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock The general fragmentation of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is obvious. The poem seems a perfect example of what Terry Eagleton calls the modern transition from metaphor to metonymy: unable any longer to totalize his experience in some heroic figure, the bourgeois is forced to let it trickle away into objects related to him by sheer contiguity. Everything in Prufrock trickles away into parts related to one another only by contiguityRead MoreMutilating Self Into Spirit: Sylvia Plaths Poems.4131 Words   |  17 PagesSylvia Plath’s poems: Translation of the self into spirit, after an ordeal of mutilation. Introduction of the poems and the essay: * â€Å"Daddy† Sylvia Plath uses her poem, â€Å"Daddy†, to express intense emotions towards her father’s life and death and her disastrous relationship with her husband. The speaker in this poem is Sylvia Plath who has lost her father at age ten, at a time when she still adored him unconditionally. Then she gradually realizes the oppressing dominance of her father, andRead MoreContemporary American Poetry and Its Public Worlds Essay8159 Words   |  33 Pagesforces of therapeutic culture and the fantasies proposed in various kinds of advertising. For poetry to achieve cultural currency, in both senses of that term, it may have to find ways of reconciling the energies of romantic lyricism to overtly rhetorical ambitions and strategies. It will take me a long time to get to those ambitions because I first have to clarify plausible ways of using the concept of poetrys relations to a public world, and then I have to use that discussion in order to dramatize

Market Structure and Innovation Monopolistic Competition †Free Sample

Question: Discuss about the Market Structure and Innovation Monopolistic Competition. Answer: Introduction: In terms of market economies, depending on the participating companies, a number of market systems can be identified. In the meanwhile, the business firms need to identify the operating market system in order to make manufacturing decisions and pricing of products or services offered towards the target demographics (Kamien Schwartz, 2012). Characterised by the number of purchasers and sellers available in a market system, a monopolistic competitive market can be differentiated from monopoly, oligopoly, and perfect competition (Carl, 2012). According to the economists, eateries such as coffee shops, cafe, restaurants, and patisseries, etc can be categorised into a monopolistic competition. The paper has been developed to evaluate the characteristics of different market structure and prove that eateries such as coffee shops, cafe, restaurants, and patisseries, etc are categorised into a monopolistic competition. Invariably, an analysis has been done to understand whether three or four such firms could compete in an oligopolistic market system. Precisely, the monopolistic competitive market system management has involved a number of elements of perfect competition and monopoly market system (Chu, 2012). Evidently, in a monopolistic competition, firms operating in the industry have offered almost similar products or services but the sold products or services are not perfect substitutes (Brems, 2013). In the meanwhile, the participants in the market possess equal as well as a low degree of market power whereas each of the firms can be identified as price makers. A figure has been presented herein below for better understanding: In a monopolistic competitive market, the price is decided by the firms using the formula MR = MC. However, the profit maximisation is low due to highly elastic demand. Hence, the amount of profitability can be found to be low at eateries such as coffee shops, cafe, restaurants, and patisseries, etc that makes them perfect match for monopolistic competition market. In reality, such market system is the middle position between perfect competition and monopolistic system (Kuenne Chamberlin, 2014). Unlike monopolistic market, a number of operating firms have taken part in the market system many. On the other hand, the obstructions to entry as well exit in the market system is significantly low (Forstater, 2017). Considerably, the decisions taken by any of the business firms participating in the monopolistic competitive market do not affect the other market competitors in a direct way. However, it can be seen through the theories of market economies that the eatery businesses cannot be categorised into monopoly or perfectly competition market. The primary reason for these businesses to not come under the monopoly and perfectly competition market is the decision making abilities of the firm regarding the price charged from the customers and slight substitutional effects of the products and services that makes the demand curve highly elastic (McCorkle, 2011). According to the characteristics of the perfectly competitive market management, the price is decided to be equal to the marginal costs at the equilibrium level due to a perfectly elastic demand curve. In a perfectly competitive market, P = AR = MR = MC = Minimum ATC. Hence, perfectly competitive firms are price takers and possess least decision making powers regarding the pricing strategy. A diagram has been presented herein below for better understanding: The eateries such as the restaurants, cafe, patisseries, and coffee shops serves differentiated products and services that are substitutes, but not perfect substitutes of each other. Hence, they charge higher prices as compared to the firms in a perfectly competitive environment (Chu, 2012). On the other hand, the price charged by the monopoly businesses is much higher than the total average cost in the market. Considering the fact, the eateries businesses cannot charge higher price as the monopolistic firms does (Forstater, 2017). A figure has been presented herein below for better understanding: It can be seen through the above figure that monopoly market has inelastic demand that maximises the profit by a higher amount. Therefore, it can be seen that the eateries businesses such as the restaurants, cafe, patisseries, and coffee shops cannot be considered as monopolistic or perfectly competitive firms (Forstater, 2017). These firms presents the characteristics of both the market, i.e. monopoly and perfectly competition that makes them operate in a monopolistic competitive market. Now, by considering the fact that whether three to four eateries firms such as the restaurants, cafe, patisseries, and coffee shops can operate in an oligopoly market, it is important to note that this type of markets have high barriers to entry. As the firms in oligopoly market are price makers due to no substitution available, the demand curve is inelastic in nature that maximises the profitability as compared to monopolistic competition. Furthermore, the high level of barriers to enter an oligopoly market occurs due to the requirement of high investment and legal proceedings (Pscoa, 2016). For example, the wireless carriers in a nation are found to operate in an oligopoly market. Hence, there is a need of massive capital expenditures to develop the infrastructure. Furthermore, the operators in an oligopolistic market tend to increase brand image by conducting different marketing activities. But, in the case of eateries, the investment and legal proceedings required to start a new business is quite low. There is a high level of competition that is met by product differentiation strategy (Pscoa, 2016). On the other hand, the eateries such as the restaurants, cafe, patisseries, and coffee shops are small scale firms that require low level of capital and financial funding. It is quite difficult for three to four eateries firms to make an oligopoly market. Hence, it is quite clear that three to four such firms cannot comp ete oligopolistically. A comparison of all four market structure has been presented in appendix 1 for further consideration. By considering the above discussion, it can be seen that small scale eateries such as cafs, coffee shops, snack-bars, restaurants and patisseries presents certain characteristics of both monopoly and perfectly competitive firms. On the other hand, these firms do not need high level of investment and legal proceedings that are required to compete oligopolistically. Hence, it can be clearly stated that eateries such as cafs, coffee shops, snack-bars, restaurants and patisseries primarily operates in monopolistically competitive markets. References Brems, H. (2013).Product equilibrium under monopolistic competition. Cambridge: Harvard Univ Press. Carl, S. (2012).Market Structure. New Delhi: World Technologies. Chu, Y. (2012). Optimal capital structure, bargaining, and the supplier market structure.Journal Of Financial Economics,106(2), 411-426. Forstater, M. (2017).Economics. London: A. C. Black. Kamien, M., Schwartz, N. (2012).Market structure and innovation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kuenne, R., Chamberlin, E. (2014).Monopolistic competition theory: studies in impact. Wiley. McCorkle, S. (2011).Focus, economic systems. [New York, NY]: National Council on Economic Education. Pscoa, M. (2016). Monopolistic competition and non-neighboring-goods.Economic Theory,9(1), 129-142.

The Strategies Used in the Dairy Co. Negotiation Exercise

Negotiation Objectives Though both pay rates and classification had been agreed upon in the previous negotiations, this negotiation dealt with four major objectives, namely: basis for increases in wages during the life of the agreement; agreeing upon the workplace arrangements, such as the process by which employees will be identified for, and can nominate for training; agreeing upon an hours’ roster, including implications for shifts and for overtime; agreeing upon the agreement duration; and last but not least, deciding on whether the set joint workplace committee should be a negotiating body or a consultative one; and whether any company information can be kept confidential from the committee.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Strategies Used in the Dairy Co. Negotiation Exercise specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For the purpose of this assignment, I will be arguing on the Dairy Co workers union side. My decision is based on the fact that, in most companies, unions enter negotiations without skills and experience on negotiation strategies and phases. As a result, most negotiations end up failing, or favouring the side of managers. So, this easy will provide them with different strategies, skills, principles and phases involved in an effective negotiation. Negotiation Phases During this negotiation, the four negotiation phases that were followed are: making organized, which involved a certain level of beforehand preparations; breaking up phase which involved agreement foundation development by â€Å"framing the issues, without becoming bogged down in the miniscule details† (Bazerman Neale, 1992); accepting a common line or detail setting phase which saw demand reduction from both sides to try to reach at a conclusion; and the last phrase was finding a solution where the two parties reached at an agreement by finding better ways of protecting their rights as well as profits . At the end of these phases, all objectives had been reached upon, and an agreement had been made which did not delve much in the intricacies of ice cream production. How phase identification and preparation led to our success The first phase in our preparation was making organized. This phase was very important particularly when coming up with comprehensive arguments towards our case. This phase was of great help particularly in avoiding admonished situations due to unpreparedness. Making organized helped use in determining our negotiation objectives, as well as coming up with specifics we were going to negotiate about. According to Loudon, McPhail Wilkinson, (2009), this is a very important phase especially in putting things right before contacting anybody with whom we were going to negotiate with. This helps in the formation of negotiation agendas before the commencement of any negotiation; this is because the phase helped us in making union’s requirements. In this phase , the union identified correct individuals who will take part in the negotiation process, their duties along with their powers. It is stated by Lax Sebenius, (2006) that, â€Å"Intelligence gathering is crucial in obtaining a picture of the other side so we can assess their needs, motivations, and goals with respect to our own† (Lax Sebenius, 2006).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Breaking up was a very distressful phase in our negotiation process. At this phase, every party was very rigid in making decisions, demanding that every side has to accept what others have proposed. Meaning that, we were just having awkward stands hence we broke up with the management. Break up occurred because, every party was presenting; our positions to each other. At this phase, every party was trying to influence the other party to follow its stand. It is clear that proper preparation and identification of this phase prevented us from what is referred to as â€Å"becoming bogged down in the miniscule details† (Loudon, McPhail Wilkinson, 2009). According to Ray.F, 2010, this break up occurred because, we are from different parties with different objectives, duties and authorities, but we were forcing the management side to take our stand without considering their side. However, due to the difficulties that were experienced in this phase, we come up with alternatives to be used in the next phase. (Rojot, 1991) Accepting a bottom line phase was like a sharing or discussion stage, as the phase helped us to construct our agreement foundation through issue framing. In doing this, we were complying with Fisher Ury, (1981) that we had to put together our building blocks with the aim of understanding fundamentals aspects of our agreement, which all of us are looking forward to achieve. We come up with principles upon which all of us agreed upon, this included th ings like the agreement duration; ensuring that the set joint workplace committees should be a consultative body, other than being a negotiating one; and ensuring that any company information can’t be kept confidential from the committee. This agreement was reached after every side had reduced their demands depending on their bargaining power. This phase defined the objectives and goals of every party involved in this negotiation. Fisher Ury, (1981) states that this phase provides chances for the parties to find facts, apart from establishing some of the compatibility measures in the Dairy Company. At this stage â€Å"We advanced proposals and counter-proposals, back and forth, until some manner of tentative agreement was reached† (Bazerman Neale, 1992). Finding solution; this phase saw us reaching a common requirement apart from finding better ways of protecting our rights and their profits. It needed both of us to trust each other to find a solution which was mutua l reciprocity and benefit. This phase was very significant particularly when it comes to matters concerning contract completion assessment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Strategies Used in the Dairy Co. Negotiation Exercise specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At this phase, the management team and our team used external expertise in the venturing detail completion, which we were about to jointly settle upon. This phase provided us with the opportunity to discuss problems that might hinder realistic implementation of the new employment terms, to ensure that apart from being workable, it is viable. In line with recommendation made by Nierenberg, (1995) that negotiators have to dig out detailed facts relating to â€Å"production, scheduling, handling delays, task responsibility and authority,† (Nierenberg, 1995) this phase gave us room to use people in management and technical areas to ensure that the pro cess is streamlined, hence, apart from working smoothly, it also attained standards and requirements we both set. This was particularly in matters relating to basis for increases in wages, an hours’ roster, including implications for shifts and for overtime, and the function of joint workplace committees. At the final stages of this phase, the management team and union negotiators left everything to the wordsmith, particularly their respective lawyers, who Nierenberg, (1995) recommended that they will assist in putting what had been agreed upon into a document that is in a written form. They were also given the responsibility of describing contractual responsibilities to which the two parties had agreed upon. This gave room for both of us to re-frame our partnership/employment terms to a level that we were all satisfied with basis for increases in wages during the life of the agreement; workplace arrangements, such as the process by which employees will be identified for, and can nominate for training; hours’ roster, including implications for shifts and for overtime; the agreement duration; the responsibility of joint workplace committees; and the confidentiality of any company information to the committee The Contribution of Phases and Strategies to the Final Outcome The union used competitive strategy or distributive bargaining, while the management team used both integrative and distributive strategies. Competitive strategy was selected because, According to, Barrick, Mount, Strauss, (1993). its major aim is to maximize gains like wages, power, wages as well as status symbols; hence, the method was very appropriate with the union’s objectives. This strategy helped us much in reaching a concession that favoured us much, this is because, â€Å"One must start high, concede slowly, exaggerate the value of concessions, conceal information, argue forcefully on behalf of principles that imply favourable settlements, make commitments to acce pt only highly favourable settlements and be willing to outwait the other fellow’’(LaxSebenius,1986).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Distributive bargaining helped us, as we tried to get advantage by insisting the negotiation to favour our side. We were just aiming at having more negotiators as compared to the counterpart to ensure that the other side has conceded to us. On the other hand, the management used integrative strategy. With them, this strategy helped them particularly in the creation of rapport, which at the end made us to lower our demand. In addition, distributive strategy helped them to ensure that they don’t follow all of our demands. Hence, they also started at a lower level to ensure that they have also pulled us down in one way or the other. Changing the Strategy and Phases Adopted Considering the fact that this strategies and phases lead to a very successful negotiation process and everyone was satisfied by the outcomes, but, given the chance to change, I will opt for integrative approach. My reason for changing is based on the fact that, integrative phases and strategies gives a distin ction between individuals and problems, they preferred interests to positions, apart from generating lots of options before deciding on one. The strategy will also be in accordance Bray, Waring Cooper, (2009), â€Å"base the result on some objective standard-are relevant from the time you begin to think about negotiating until an agreement is reached or you decide to abandon the effort† (Bray, Waring Cooper, 2009). This strategy will also lead to very successful outcomes as they will produce an agreement which is efficient, wise and possible. In addition, the outcomes that will be reached upon will not, and still do not hurt any relationship at company workplace. As compared to other strategies like positional bargaining or distributive negotiation strategy that was used in this negotiation, integrative negotiation will allow parties to work together as a team other than individuals focused on winning, or dividing on something. The issue of separating individuals from the p roblem will also give room for the negotiators to compassionately and directly address the issues at hand, other than down grading other individuals. Pre-negotiation phase will be of great help particularly in the creation of rapport, which at the end leads to trust, apart from creating a friendly atmosphere which smoothen negotiations. However, other phases will not change were very successful in concentrating more on basic needs of every party in the negotiation, other than encouraging win/loss strategy. Apart from the break up phase, which should be replaced by conceptualization phase? This will lead to efficient and effective outcomes. The issue of having open minds as a result of proper preparations will provide lots of opportunities for inventions which will aim at serving the interests of every side, as well as speeding up the negotiation process. Conclusion During this negotiation, all the objectives were agreed upon; hence new employment contract was signed by Dairy Company management and worker/union negotiators. With this negotiation strategy, it is evident that proper application of negotiation phases and negotiation strategy can lead to effective and efficient negotiation process, which will at the end lead to positive outcomes acceptable by all parties involved. This has been proved by the efforts we made ourselves in Dairy Co. negotiation exercise. It is good to note that, â€Å"Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and as negotiation is something we can’t hide or run away from, we might as well do it right† (Fisher Ury, 1981) This is much correct if and only if we are ready to enter into negotiations with open minds, respect as well as understanding of other people’s interests, other than just focussing on our needs and personalities, without recognizing other trade-offs involved in any negotiation exercise, which has the ability of benefiting all parties involved in any negotiation (Sparks, D. 1993). List of Reference s Barrick, M., Mount, K. Strauss, J. 1993, Conscientiousness and performance of sales representatives: Test of the mediating effects of goal setting. Journal of Applied Psychology. 78, 715-722. Bazerman, H. Neale, A. 1992, Negotiating Rationally. New York: Free Press. Bray, M., Waring, P., Cooper, R. 2009, Employment Relations: Theory and Practice. Australia: McGraw-Hill. Fisher, R. Ury, W. 1981, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. New York, NY: Penguin Books. Lax, D. Sebenius, J. 2006, 3D Negotiation. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Loudon, R., McPhail, R., Wilkinson, A., 2009, Introduction to Employment Relations. Australia: McGraw-Hill. Nierenberg, G. 1995, The Art of Negotiating: Psychological Strategies for Gaining Advantageous Bargains, Barnes and Noble. Australia: McGraw-Hill. Ray, F. 2010, Effective Negotiation: From research to results’,pp.193-201 Rojot, J. 1991. Negotiation: from theory to practice. Houndmils, Hants: Macmillian. Sha piro, M. Jankowski, A. 1998, The Power of Nice: How to Negotiate So Everyone Wins – Especially You! New York: John Wiley Sons Inc. Sparks, D. 1993, The Dynamics of Effective Negotiation. Houston,Texas: Gulf Publishing Co. This essay on The Strategies Used in the Dairy Co. Negotiation Exercise was written and submitted by user Shania S. to help you with your own studies. 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