buy custom Analyzing an e-Business essay

buy custom Analyzing an e-Business essay PepsiCo is an American multinational corporation that formed in 1965 with the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, Inc. and deals with production, marketing, and distribution of beverages and grain based snack foods. PepsiCo has its headquarters in Harrison, New York with its presence in four major divisions. In 2009, PepsiCo Americas Foods, which deals in foods and snacks in North and South America, contributed 43% of the total PepsiCo net profit. There is also PepsiCo America Beverages, a division that markets both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages in North and South America. Other divisions include PepsiCo Europe and PepsiCo Asia, Middle East and Africa. Globally, the company is the second largest food and beverages company and it operates in more than 200 countries In 2009, PepsiCo collected total revenue of $43.3 billion, and was rated the largest food and beverages company in North America. Pepsi Corporation distributes a number of brands, the key ones being those that generate annual sales of more than $1 billion each. These brands include Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, Fritos Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Pepsi Max, Quaker Foods, Tropicana Cheetos, Miranda, Ruffles, Aquafina, Tostitos, Sierra Mist, Walkers, and Lays Lipton. Amid distribution of the brands, PepsiCo engages in charitable activities and environmental conservation programs like water usage in U.S, India and U.K, packaging and recycling, energy usage as well as pesticide regulation in India to ensure that the environment and the available resources are utilized properly. PepsiCos advancement in ecommerce has been evident, and that is the focus of this report. Project and Its Place within the Organization Changing to ecommerce involves fully understanding the normal offline transactions and applying the principals of electronic funds transfer and electronic data interchange. Ecommerce also includes Internet marketing and inventory management systems through the World Wide Web, especially for virtual items. Changing to ecommerce entails complete overhaul of marketing techniques to accommodate new internet marketing strategies, electronic payments and training of employees to match the new electronic commerce and business. PepsiCos adoption of ecommerce led to the collaboration with Yahoo. In the deal, PepsiCo would promote Yahoo on 1.5 billion soft drinks bottles displayed in 50,000 stores. In return, Yahoo would promote PepsiCo products on Yahoo cobranded site called Pepsistuff.com. This promotion started in August 2000 and has since led to advertisement cost minimization due to its ability to reach more people at ago through the website. What does not work, according to Burwick, PepsiCos former marketing manager, is an advertising approach on television that in his view only entertains and moves. However, Burwick notes that internet advertisement on the website provides a platform for interaction, which is a more active experience that is likely to have a more positive impact on sales. This web advertisement that included music sites, banner advertisement and internet sweepstakes and barter arrangement with Yahoo, helped PepsiCo establish loyalty among its customers, greater brand exposure among its consumers under 25 years old and at the same time obtained relevant data that enabled the company respond to customer demands. Pepsi also uses the extranet strategy where customers flash their names and continue the marketing efforts of tweaking websites. Other than its websites, PepsiCo has currently upheld its ecommerce strategy on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, which are social sites that provide interaction opportunities for millions of potential customers around the world. This has helped improve popularity of the corporations 19 major brands in all the four regions, and contributed to the revenue collected in 2009. Marketing the products plays a very important role in the consumer goods companies that consume $40 billion annually on non-internet advertising. Ecommerce in this regard plays a vital role in marketing, distribution, supply chain management, ordering and delivering of the products to the clients in all the four major regions. This strategy helps PepsiCo eliminate intermediaries in its business since consumers can order products directly. The company can also use banners on top of web pages to convey the information about its products. However, this has been eliciting responses that banners are too small and limit th e amount of information that can be conveyed through them. Besides Pepsistuff.com, PepsiCo also uses its website in providing information to all its customers and potential customers on the available products and the ordering and purchasing procedures as well as the charges involved for deliveries. The strategy of e-business is multifarious, is more focused on these internal processes. Its objective is to reduce costs while improving efficiency, as well as reducing costs while improving productivity. E-business includes ecommerce, and both address internal processes and technological infrastructure like application servers, security, databases, and legacy systems. E-commerce and e-business involve generating new value chains amid stakeholders, such as a company like PepsiCo and its clients. Original Business Model Employed By PepsiCo PepsiCo initially used non-internet advertisement that included high impact television spots that were prepared to evoke emotional reaction among its customers, appealing to woe customers to purchase. The company also minimally used PowerPoint presentations of its products to that are flashed on the websites. According to Hill Jones , PepsiCo changed its business model and the manner in which it differentiated its product. Before adoption of the ecommerce initiative, PepsiCo fully depended on five regions that include North America, South America, Europe, and Asia regions (including India) in manufacturing, marketing, and delivering. These activities constituted manual offline transactions. Any changes to the business model were necessitated by introduction of the e-Business initiative. The marketing, ordering, inventory management strategies, and the payment methods changed to adopt ecommerce methods. These necessitated change in PepsiCos organization structure and reduction of marketing staff and the cost of advertisement reduced by nearly 20% in 2010. Through e-business, PepsiCo was able to effectively cut human errors and evade uneconomical duplications of duties that add little or no value to the business. Consequently, this saved the company business time, colossal amounts of resources. The introduction of ecommerce into PepsiCo also improved the speed, accuracy, and efficiency in which processes are carried out in the corporation, leading to increased productivity. E-business guarantees proficiency in communication within PepsiCo and reduces turnaround time in ordering, delivery, and payment of products, as well as fostering faster decision-making process. The networking brought about by the use of Internet services gave PepsiCo an opportunity to easily compare and rate its products against those from its competitors in terms of quality, availability, and pricing. Strategic Components of E-business Planning for the changeover to e-business from the offline business is a strategic component that determines the success of the ecommerce strategy. It involves action plans that include making available the amount of capital required, trained human resource, information technology skills, technology hardware, such as computers and internet connections. This component of e-business dictates the decision on implementation methods and tools used in the changeover, depending on strengths and weaknesses of the business and the opportunities presented by ecommerce according to the vision and mission of the PepsiCo. Ecommerce business is an area faced with several risks. Therefore, companies need to understand it well to ensure that they are protected against such risks. PepsiCo faces such risks as well. Some of these risks include loss of merchandise as a result of fraud, misrouting during distribution process to wrong destinations (majorly when the merchants are untrustworthy and untraceable), leading to loss of both goods and money. Any businesses adopting ecommerce should ensure that third party merchants are well known, registered, and traceable to curb the loss of customers merchandise and money to potential fraudsters. This is also applicable to the risks of customers disputes of the delivered goods leading to loss of payments. PepsiCo needs to ensure that during ordering, customers provide adequate information to be able to distinguish genuine customers from fraudulent orders. This will reduce the loss money through credit card payments, which poses impacts both on the company and mercha nts who are forced to pay the bank charges to compensate the losses. Accuracy in processing the transactions remain key to efficient deals to avoid experiencing chargeback costs that also occur when customers dispute the transactions sometimes due to inaccuracy in the amount involved, errors in processing, authorization errors and fraudulent issues. These costs can be avoided if transactions are accurately and efficiently processed. Therefore, this means that the new ecommerce technology should be well understood before the implementation stage takes effect, to be able to seal all the possible loopholes that are likely to give way to losses. Provision of adequate infrastructure system that warns new clients who are not conversant with purchasing on the Internet is important in proving authenticity of the company. These systems should be in a position of protecting clients passwords to sensitive personal information like credit cards to avoid exposure to fraudsters and at the same time authenticate transactions when dealing with fresh clients before cl osing the purchase orders and delivering the products to the customers. Technological components must also be put in place for a company that needs to grow in the modern business environment that is full of competition through the use of high technology machines. The technological platform where e-Business is carried out involves of technologies that have to be tailor-made, tested out and integrated into the business. This component is one of the essential e-business components that include widely approved technological standards and requirements that generate technical procedures and platforms than computers, but can be used to pass information. Technology infrastructure involves reliable Internet connections and adequate machinery, such as computers and browser connections. Technological constituents, such as middleware, are important since they help build broad and complex e-commerce systems. Employee development is strategy that works well for many companies, including PepsiCo. Employees first need to be prepared for the change to avoid unnecessary resistance during the implementation stage. Employee development also involves training workers to be technology compliant and improve their IT skills, which are mandatory in ecommerce having in mind that technology innovation and improvement takes place every time. PepsiCo needs to train its clients on how to access information from the companys websites without risking exposing their information to non-deserving people, such as credit card fraudsters. This training can be done through seminars and online information that can be accessed by all existing and potential customers. Many clients are very skeptical when it comes to online purchases due to the widespread Internet fraud and may only be willing to do business with very organized and secure sites. PepsiCo also needs to segment its market during marketing and advertisement of the products. This segmentation can be done in terms of age, social class to provide products that all social groups can afford, and ensuring availability of these products from the distribution stores for the retail customers at all times. Reasons for Success and Of Pepsi Product Differentiation and positioning One reason that has led to the success of Pepsi products is the differentiation of its brands that have been established and have built customer loyalty in those regions. Product positioning remains vital in building customer loyalty. This can quickly be done through internet marketing, which reaches more people at ago all over the world. Planning and New Technology The companys first strategy involving agreements with Yahoo picked up well and were very successful because of adequate planning, as well as embracing of the new digital technology. Other reasons include adequate planning, employee development, good management kills, infrastructure, and risk management systems. Reasons for Lack of Success and Of Pepsi Fraudulent transactions Fraudulent transactions that have always mired online transactions that make the merchants and clients lose both merchandise and money are the loopholes that have hampered Pepsis success. Thus, they need to be sealed in order to drive businesses to higher levels. Analysis of the PepsiCo Initiative PepsiCo being the second largest food and Beverage Company has very strong financial base, which is enough to implement the ecommerce strategy. Training of employees on the new internet marketing skills, supply chain management, inventory management. Implementation of the ecommerce Technology in PepsiCo involved provision of the computer gadgets and internet connection that to provide necessary platform for the change to e-Business. PepsiCo also offered in-house trainings to the staff to be technology compliant ready to execute the ecommerce operations. The major stakeholders of the PepsiCo are the suppliers, customers, government, employees, and the management. The companys consumers need to utilize the ecommerce platform to order and pay for products conveniently, while maintaining and managing internet security risks. The internal control systems that are used to authenticate transactions need to be fully outlined with clear chain of command. The improvement of the technology has also provided good business growth opportunity enhancing PepsiCos strength in the market. The involvement of the society, production of healthy products with low sugar levels favorable for children, guarding them against health and lifestyle related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and the environmental protection projects, gave PepsiCo business advantage over its competitors, such as the Coca-Cola company. PepsiCo does this by converting its product portfolio, forming global initiatives like calorie labeling to increase nutrition education, and backup up programs that promote physical fitness centers. Responsible Electronic Marketing In the ecommerce, PepsiCo has adopted a responsible electronic marketing strategy that teaches children that good eating habits at an earlier age contribute to their future health. PepsiCo adopted a policy in 2009 not to advertise and sell certain products that do not meet specific nutrition level to children under age 12. The policy took effect in 2009 for beverages globally and all snacks and food in the whole world on January 1, 2011. Pepsi plans to stop selling full sugar soft drinks directly to primary and secondary schools across the world by 2012. This policy is to help schools to provide a wider range of low-calorie and nutritious beverages to their students in primary and secondary schools. PepsiCo plans to implement this policy fully by January 1, 2012 and it has announced this interest on the Internet. PepsiCo does not currently sell directly to primary and secondary schools full calorie drinks in Europe, Canada, and a number of countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Currently the use of iPhone has spread to users many including school going children who can easily access the information. For this reason, PepsiCo implements the responsible e-marketing strategy to ensure that information reaches the only relevant people. Reasons for Not Adopting the Ecommerce In as much as technology is acceptable, many online clients have since withdrawn from transacting businesses over the internet due to the widespread internet crimes committed by fraudsters. Many clients have expressed reservations and they prefer offline business transactions to e-business. Bad experience of wrong delivery and erroneous processing of transactions has also contributed to the failure of ecommerce initiative. Pepsi should not just adopt Ecommerce marketing coverage strategy since it focuses on differentiated marketing, they should also consider other aspects that accompany the marketing strategy. Many clients do not have sufficient IT skills that are required in carrying out e-business. This gave the changeover a slow start in some regions, including India, with many insisting on continued offline transaction. Conclusion Ecommerce and e-business have become the order of modern business. Many companies than need to compete have adapted the two innovations. Ecommerce and e-business involve the use of the Internet in the transaction of goods and services from production, order, delivery, marketing, and payment for the purchased goods and services. PepsiCo is one of the companies that have adopted ecommerce for about ten years and have used the new technology in inventory management, supply chain management, Internet marketing and electronic funds transfer. PepsiCo is an international company that deals in beverages and foods snacks in four major regions in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and African markets with a number of products like Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, Fritos Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Pepsi Max, Quaker Foods, Tropicana Cheetos, Miranda, Ruffles, Aquafina, Tostitos, Sierra Mist, Walker's and Lay's Lipton. The company uses the Internet to market and sell these brands. Several strategies ensure all the stakeholders are successfully navigated through the navigation period. These include adequate planning, employee development, good management kills, infrastructure, and risk management systems. Buy custom Analyzing an e-Business essay

Special Education Teaching Strategy Lists for Success

Special Education Teaching Strategy Lists for Success There are many practical strategies that are effective in the classroom. It is up to the classroom and special education teacher to ensure that appropriate strategies are being used  to assist individual learning styles and allow all students with special needs  to succeed. It is recommended that a multi-modal approach be used: visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile for optimum success. Classroom Environment Provide the use of a study carrel when necessary.Seat student in an area free from distractions.Eliminate all unnecessary materials from the students desk to reduce distractions.Use a checklist to help the student get organized.Keep an extra supply of pencils, pens, books, and paper in the classroom.You may have to allow the student frequent breaks.Have an agreed upon cue for the student to leave the classroom.Reduce visual distractions in the classroom. Time Management and Transitions Space short work periods with breaks.Provide additional time to complete assignment.Allow extra time for homework completion.Inform student with several reminders, several minutes apart, before changing from one activity to the next.Reduce the amount of work from the usual assignment.Provide a specific place for turning in assignments. Presentation of Materials Modify expectations based on students needs.Break assignments into segments of shorter tasks.Give alternative assignments rather than long written assignments.Provide a model of the end product.Provide written and verbal direction with visuals if possible.Break long assignments into small sequential steps, monitoring each step.Highlight to alert student attention to key points within the written direction of the assignment.Check that all homework assignments are written correctly in some kind of an agenda/homework book. Sign it and have parents sign it as well.Number and sequence steps in a task.Provide outlines, study guides, copies of overhead notes.Explain learning expectations to the student before beginning a lesson.Make sure you have the students attention before beginning a lesson.Allow for the student to use tape recorders, computers, calculators and dictation to obtain and retain assignment success.Allow oral administration of test.Limit the number of concepts presented at o ne time. Provide incentives for beginning and completing material. Assessment, Grading, and Testing Provide a quiet setting for test taking, allow tests to be scribed if necessary and allowing for oral responses.Exempt student from district-wide testing if possible.Divide the test into small sections.Grade spelling separately from content.Allow as much time as needed to complete.Avoid time test.Change the percentage of work required for passing grade.Permit retaking the test.Provide monitored breaks from testing. Behavior Avoid confrontations and power struggles.Provide an appropriate peer role model.Modify rules that may discriminate against a student with a neurological disorder.Develop a system or code that will let the student know when behavior is not appropriate.Ignore attention seeking behaviors that are not disruptive to the classroom.Arrange a designated safe place that student can go to.Develop a code of conduct for the classroom and visually display it in an appropriate place where all students can see it, review it frequently.Develop a behavior intervention plan that is realistic and easily applied.Provide immediate reinforcers and feedback. Delivering an academic program to a room full of unique students is certainly a challenge. Implementing some of the listed strategies will provide a comfortable learning place for all students regardless of their academic abilities.

HRM Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HRM - Coursework Example The paper aims to show that the value of a HR system is depended not only on its effectiveness locally but also on its ability to be easily alternated in order to fit to its environment; the flexibility of the American HR system, as explained below, seems to be the system’s greater advantage towards its major competitor: the Japanese HR system. 2. American HR system – characteristics and differences from the Japanese HR system The appearance of the American HR system is dated back to 1877 (Kaufman 2008). At that year, the Great Railway Strike forced employees to search for a framework that could help them to improve their communication with workers (Kaufman 2008). Through the decades the American HR system has been expanded internationally; however, it was only in western countries that the American HR system has been kept unchanged (Kaufman 2008). In other countries, such as Japan, the HR system was highly differentiated so that it is aligned with local culture and eth ics (Kaufman 2008). When referring to the American HR system reference should be made to two important periods: a) at 1920s the system was clearly opposed to unionism, b) from 1933 onwards the system is characterized by a strong unionism, i.e. by the significant increase of the power of workers to fight for their rights (Kaufman 2008). As a concept, the HR management is rather broad incorporating all aspects of the relationship between employer and employee. In this context, a clear description of HR management would be rather difficult; however, the mission and role of HR management can be understood through the following definition: ‘HR management can be characterized using the term labour management’ (Kaufman 2008, p.3). In the context of the American HR system, HR management is considered as ‘one of the most critical organizational activities’ (Price 2007, p.593). In fact, in America, HR management is based on certain principles, such as the use of form al processes, the empowered role of leader, the use of teams for completing tasks (Price 2007). In addition, the American HR system is highly centralized, not leaving particular space for initiatives (Price 2007). Also, communication is not a critical part of the American HR system; rather emphasis is given on the assignment of tasks to employees who are appropriately skilled (Hendry 2012). Moreover, the use of consultation, as a tool for supporting employees is not quite developed in the American HR system; rather, teams are used so that views are exchanged between employees in regard to the needs and the risks of each task (Hendry 2012). As for training, this is not highly valued in American firms and it is used only when it is inevitable for the success of a task (Hendry 2012). The duration of employment and the level of compensation are also key elements of the American HR system: various modes of employment, such as part-time or short employment schemes are used in the system i n order to support employers to face the market pressures (Brewster and Mayrhofer 2012). As for the compensation in firms based on the American HR system, this is arranged centrally, i.e. in a firm’s head offices; managers do not have power to take initiatives as of the employees’ level of compensation (Brewster and Mayrhofer 2012). This means that salaries and benefits are part of the organization’

Poetry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Poetry - Essay Example It implies the speakers casual attitude towards his father, who had warmed the house and polished his shoes, the child not realizing the extent of the fathers assistance. To best categorize Those Winter Sundays theme, it might be intended for the reader to take notice of the people who care for you and to offer them love and gratefulness for their sacrifices, no matter how small they may be. Robert Hayden uses several literary techniques in this poem; one in particular that is most apparent is imagery. Haydens descriptions of the fathers "cracked hands that ached from labor†¦" and "Id wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking" give the reader a very clear mental view of both the father and the environment. The reader can almost hear the sound of logs being split by an axe (which is hard labor) and a picture of a mans weathered, probably calloused hands that were the result of heavy work. The imagery used in Those Winter Sundays leaves little doubt, for the reader, that the father is of the working class and used to performing difficult labor. It serves to feed the theme of the story, allowing the reader to feel pity for the father because he continues to perform his thankless work. The author also uses personification to make the story more powerful. When the speaker says, "I would rise and dress, fearing the chronic angers of that house", Hayden is essentially granting the house human qualities, suggesting a harsh, angry environment stressed from the winter cold. Possibly, personifying the house as being chronically angry suggests it is an old house that has withstood countless winters and that the early morning environment leaves the house feeling ominous. It is also possible, through personifying the house, that Hayden is attempting to enhance the love that his father brings by comparing love against a gloomy, angry environment. Those Winter Sundays

Media Study Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Media Study Assignment - Essay Example Primary journalistic beats and comparison with other newspapers The stories covered in the newspaper are mostly issue-centric related to public cause and the role of the politicians in improving the current scenario like â€Å"Occupy Ann-Arbor†, â€Å"Ann-Arbor City Council Candidates Discuss Public Safety†. It also covered news on some exclusive events and developments in the university campus like â€Å"Hundreds of E-mails Spam Students on U List serve†. The theme of the newspaper seems to have ample material to grab the interest of the readers. In comparison, another student newspaper THE DAILY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON mainly focused on stories related to the university campus like â€Å"Campus Watch: Guns on College Campuses†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , â€Å"A Catwalk to Education†. The difference between the two is in their unique style of presentation and layout. THE MICHIGAN DAILY seems to have two segments of stories. The ones related to Ann-Arbor commu nity are thematic as they are issue based and the others about the campus are episodic as they are event based. But the other daily covers stories that primarily revolve around information about the university activities. Therefore the stories are mainly episodic as each one records a specific action. In way of presentation THE MICHIGAN DAILY seems to hold a neutral stand and opts for a non-committal role whereas THE DAILY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON seems to be more direct in its approach and tone. The news story and the four information biases The story that I have chosen for my analysis is â€Å"Occupy Ann-Arbor† from THE MICHIGAN DAILY. The article is the follow-up of the article â€Å"Occupy Wall Street† by the same writer and discusses about the protest movement undertaken by the common people of Ann-Arbor against the politicians for protecting the rights of the common people. The reason for selecting this particular beat is that it reflects the four informat ion biases mentioned by Lance Bennett. The article starts with the lines â€Å"In the middle of Occupy Ann Arbor’s assembly on the Diag last night, University alum Matt Bussey asked the crowd of about 200 students and Ann Arbor residents to take out their cell phones and call U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D–Mich.).† The effect is clearly one of dramatization. The story is captured right in the middle of an extremely provoking action. Throughout the article the focus has been on maintaining the high drama quotient by the use of action words, direct quotations and criticizing remark. But drama does not seem complete without the involvement of some personality and a collision with authority. This explains the attempt to personalize the story by referring to characters and at same time making an implication towards authority-disorder. In this article people like Whitney Miller and Luciana Sabgash who were involved with the movement are directly quoted. Sabgash’s di sappointment with the system is conveyed in her words â€Å"I voted for none of this. I voted for change and saw all the same.† Most of the readers would share the same feeling and immediately connect with the story. The disgruntled attitude of the common people towards the political rulers is the bottom line of the article. The authority-disorder bias underpins the entire argument. Though the

The US and Thailand Free

The US and Thailand Free Essay The US and Thailand Free commenced negotiations in respect of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on June 28, 2004. Approximately six rounds of talks between the two countries have been conducted pursuant to the FTA negotiations as of 2006. US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) The overall intent is to liberalize â€Å"trade in goods, agriculture, and investment† and harmonization of intellectual property rights (Ahearn and Morrison, 2004) Ever since the founding of the World Trade Organization (WTO and its General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATT) developed nation member states, such as the US have adhered to the WTO’s policy to help developing and less developed member states such as Thailand improve their economic growth by entering into bilateral trade agreements with them. (Fbiosa et ales, 2005) Thailand has over the years demonstrated a keener willingness to open its markets to liberalized trade than many of the other Asian nations. This particularly so in the area of agriculture. Relations between Thailand and the US commenced as early as 1833 with the Trade and Amity and Commerce Agreement. (US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) By 1966 the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations was successfully negotiated between the two countries with each country granting the other equal trade treatment. (US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) The 1966 Treaty came to an end in 2004, although extended by mutual agreement to December 2006, the FTA is intended to take its place. (US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) Aside from the economic benefits to both countries, the US hoped to strengthen US-Thailand relations for the purpose of combating terrorism. This fact together with cultural differences, a political crisis in 2006, health concerns and Thailand’s relationship with other Asian nations have proven problematic for both countries in reaching a mutual agreement. (US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) This paper examines the US-Thailand FTA Agreement, its history and its future track with reference to the difficulties that impede bringing the negotiations to a final conclusion. History and Background Thailand has long since been regarded as an ally of the US, a position that was only fortified during the Cold War period and strengthened even further following the terror attacks on the US on September 11, 2001. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) The relationship between the US and Thailand has always been characterized by mutual trade and economic interests. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) Following the 2001 terrorist attacks in the US the relationship took on a new dimension when it became obvious that Thailand shared, at least in part the US desire to fight terrorism in the Southeast Asian region. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) These facts and circumstances together with Thailand’s strong economic and political ties to China puts Thailand in a position to have some influence in the Far East. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) Recognizing the strategic economic and political position of Thailand in the Asia-Pacific area and its close ties with the US, President George Bush â€Å"designated† Thailand â€Å"as a major non-NATO ally in 2003. † (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) This designation is partly due to Thailand’s history of support to the US during the Cold War and partly due to its position with respect to the US counter terrorism initiatives. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) Aside from sending troops to aide the US in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Thailand authorities arrested a â€Å"high-profile† Islamic rebel in a â€Å"joint Thai-US operation† in 2003. (Chanlett-Avery, 2006) Co-existing with these diplomatic and amicable relations was the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the US and Thailand which was signed in Bangkok on May 29th 1966. (US-Thai Treaty of Amity, 1966) The 1966 Treaty permits US citizens and companies incorporated in Thailand or in the US to hold all the shares in a business situated in Thailand and to conduct business in Thailand in the same manner as Thai citizens. There were certain restrictions on American investments including land holding, fiduciary services, communications, transportation, domestic agricultural trade and damaging natural resources. (US-Thai Treaty of Amity, 1966) The Treaty also provided favourable treatment to Thai businessmen upon application for entry visas into the US for business purposes. Moreover, there were no restrictions on repatriating funds to Thai by Thai business concerns in the US. (US-Thai Treaty of Amity, 1966) The Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations should have expired in September 2006 but was extended to a further period of 90 days bringing it to an end in December of 2006 instead. (US Chamber of Commerce: Trade Policy) In anticipation of the expiration of the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations and the economic success of trade relations between the US and Thai, President Bush and Thai Prime Minister Thaskin announced on 19 October, 2003 plans to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. (Ahearn et ales, 2004) In March 2004, both countries announced that negotiations would commence in June of 2004. (Ahearn et ales, 2004) The first two rounds of negotiations took place in Thailand in 2004 with a third round taking place there in 2005. (Ahearn and Morrison, 2006) Fourth and Fifth rounds of negotiations were conducted in Montano on September 26-30, 2005 in Hawaii and earlier in the year at Montana on July 15. (Ahearn and Morrison, 2006) A sixth round was conducted in Thailand which ended all talks as a result of political unrests in Thailand. (Ahearn and Morrison, 2006) While some progress was made at the fifth round of talks in Hawaii, the remaining talks were for the most part unsuccessful. Essentially what was agreed to at the fifth round of talks was the removal of barriers to trade with the emphasis on tariffs with respect to goods crossing US borders to Thailand and vice versa. (Thailand’s Legal News Update, October, 2005) Both the United States and Thailand also agreed that Internet Service Providers should be included in all talks relative to intellectual property rights protection. (Thailand’s Legal News Update, October, 2005) Further agreement was made by the US to permit Thailand patent protection with respect to its rice and silk products. (Allison, 2006) The details of these agreements are discussed in much greater detail later on. The World Trade Review reported that the fourth round of negotiations held in Montana did not yield particulars of any specific agreements. However, the talks went well enough to ensure that both parties were likely to come to an arrangement at the fifth round of talks in Hawaii, (World Trade Review, 2005) which as previously noted did yield a consensus on tariffs and patent protection on rice and silk. In Montana, both US and Thai negotiating teams met with business representatives of Montana and were equally impressed with the importance of agricultural trade in the US. The negotiators also met with business officials within the telecommunications, financial, automobile, energy and additional service factions of the community. (World Trade Review, 2005) The World Trade Review believes that the results of this meeting and round of talks helped to pave the way for some agreement in the next round of talks. (World Trade Review, 2005) Be that as it may, relations between the US and Thailand were not without some difficulties. James A. Kelly, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs touched on a number of issues that were problematic for the US in his address to the Asia Foundation in Washington, D. C. on March 13, 2002. Noting that both countries shared a mutual interest in the concepts and benefits of security, liberty democracy and maintaining free and open trade markets Kelly also noted that there was a growing perception in Thailand that the US was either acting in bad faith or trying to take advantage of Thailand. (Kelly, 2002) Other problems were highlighted at the Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The Bilateral Conference took place in Washington D. C. on March 11-13 under the auspices of 10 senior Thai government officials who met with American trade and government officials for the express purpose of debating the important isses within the context of a bilateral trade agreement. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) There was evidence of a strain in US-Thai relations following the US war with Vietnam from a Thai perspective. Many Thais felt that the US had neglected Thailand and felt even more disenchanted with the US following the Asian financial crisis of 1997 especially with respect tot he US’s the unduly strenuous conditions placed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with respect to Thailand’s aid relief. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) By the end of the 90s both political and economic relations between the two countries was quite often tense. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The waning relationship was complicated by a failure on the US’s part to offer a viable loans system by way of financial relief via the IMF. Further complications arose out of the US’s failure to back-up the Thai Minister of Commerce and the Thai Deputy Prime Minister’s nominations to hold the post of World Trade Organization Secretary General in 1999. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) From the US’s perspective the Thai support of the US at the United Nations was weak if at all. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) Moreover, Thailand was reluctant to support the US position with respect to its EP-3 reconnaissance plane episode which involved China. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The US also had concerns about Thailand’s position with respect to censorship in the media. Although following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US Thailand once again closed the gap between US and Thailand with its support. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) In the global context, Thailand’s difficulty arises out of a desire to balance its relationship with China with that of the US. The problem for the US is in diminishing China’s stronghold on the Asian region and Thailand found itself having to balance its priorities with respect to negotiating its relationships with both China and the United States. The difficulty for Thailand was maintaining some sort of neutrality in its relationships with both super powers. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) Thailand’s political and economical policies reflect a desire to regularize relations within its immediate region. Of particular interest to Thailand is the strengthening of its commercial ties to regions close to its borders. Its relationship with Burma which is characterized by a trend toward conciliatory approaches is largely problematic for the US. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The US would prefer it if Thailand took an isolationist approach to Burma. The problem was summarized at the Bilateral Conference. Thailand maintained what it referred to as a â€Å"constructive interaction† with its neighbour Burma and this caused some tension with the United States who would have preferred that Thailand adapted an isolationist stance with Burma. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The US was also suspicious that the Thai government was lending support to regions like Malaysia and Indonesia which the US regarded as unstable and supportive of terrorist factions. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) The US felt that the anti-American sentiments in Indonesia and Malaysia were at risk of spilling over into Thailand. Notably Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin had been elected into office after running an â€Å"anti-American platform† and there was a concern that Thailand was faltering in its support of the United States on its anti-terrorism policies. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002) Be that as it may, the US and Thailand had similar economic and political goals. The best approach was therefore thought to be a bilateral trade agreement. (Bilateral Conference on United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century, 2002)

Quantitative research

Quantitative research Introduction (150) Quantitative research is the investigation of phenomena that give themselves to exact measurement and quantification, which attached a rigorous and controlled design (Polit Beck 2008). Its has main purpose is to measure concept or variables objectively in numerical and statistical process, also relationship between variables (Parahoo 2006). The research methods are obtained from research design and generally include sample, intervention (if applicable), instruments, data collection, and data analysis (eds. Joyce Meredith 2006). In many instances, the quantitative research needs such as questionnaires or interview, computers and large sample sizes. This article is to explore of a quantitative research by Kalij and William (2009) the view of its data objectivity, sample size and selection, process data collection, data presentation and analysis, using the relevant references to support this discussion. The objectives are to prove with evidences if the Khalij and Williams study (2009) fulfills the requirements of quantitative research. Objectivity (150) Objectivity is amount of involvement of the researcher relates during the collection and analysis of the data (Marcella n.d.a). Polit and Beck (2008) argued objectivity meant researcher tend to stay away any impression of subjectivity or impersonal during study process. Parahoo (2006) explained the data which collected and analyzed are expected to be free from bias between researcher and participants. It means the researcher is detached or does not active participate from practice and there is no intervention between researcher and participant. Also the participants use the same actual measurements for data collection. Further the bias of research can be minimized and the objectivity of the study can be maximized. In The Kalish and Williams study (2009) showed that they did not participate and used measurements to collect the data. It showed in their study that during data collection, they involved staff nurses in four hospitals and used psychometric testing tool. Hard data (148) Hard data is characteristic of quantitative study. Polit and Beck (2008) said that quantitative data are the information obtained during process of study course in a quantified (numeric value). (Janet Houser 2008) argued the other numerical data specific patients symptoms put in rank order the scales which contained intervals, comparisons between subjects. Other instance the researchers with rigorously designed tools should be able to grasp the reality (Parahoo 2006). For example scale of depression and pain in numeric value. That means the data can be measured and quantified in some way. In the nursing practice we always face with the hard data. For instance are physical (height, weight, gender), physiological (vital signs, laboratory results, visual acuity), past medical histories, psychological and social or behavior. This data are shown in Kalish and Williams study (2009) during their study while collected data: sample size, genders, experience, education degree, and work location in quantified data. Statistic (142) Statistic is very important aspect in the quantitative research. After data are collected can be analyzed using statistic and presented in numerical form. Polit and Beck (2008) said that statistic is an estimate of a parameter, calculated from sample data. They emphasized statistics are used to test hypotheses and evaluate the believability of the finding. Researchers usually use statistical computer to expedite calculation and ensure accuracy (ed. Joyce and Meredith 2006). They mentioned statistic methods are used in every process include in the final report to search the correlations, comparisons of means, trend and significance of finding to refute hypothesis. Its reinforce that statistic is one of characteristic in quantitative research. Its applied in Kalishs study process while selecting data sampling and analyzing data which showed in the tables and the data was analyzed by statistical computer, descriptive statistic and inferential statistic. Sample selection (269) Janet Holt (2009, p. 235) said that sampling is the process to select a small group of participant for study with the goal of making generalization from large population based on findings. Polit and Beck (2008) argued that sampling is the process of selecting portion of the population to represent from the entire population element. There are differentiation ways in sample selection; sampling designs, sample size and sampling steps. Polit and Beck (2008) mentioned that there are two sampling designs; probability sampling and non probability sampling. Probability sampling contents; simple random, stratified random, cluster and systemic sampling. The non probability sampling has contents; convenience, quota and purposive sampling. Janet Houser (2008) explained sample size in quantitative research to determine sample in adequacy is power. Its an analysis to indicate the large of sample which needed to adequately detect a difference in result variable. Polit and Beck (2008) suggested the steps in this research sampling as follow; the population identify, the specific eligibility criteria, the specific sampling plan and sample recruitment. They emphasized researcher during sample recruitment to gain the participant cooperation use means of courtesy, persistence, incentives, research benefits, sharing results, convenience, and endorsement. This study sample collection was implemented in the kalishstudy. They used random sampling to collect the participant data from four hospitals in different unit. The study used N symbol which designed for the total number, and n symbol is designed for number of subject. They took large sample size with total samples (N=1098). They applied ratio of sample size during sample collection. They gained the participant cooperation which provided incentives (jumbo-sized candy and bar a pizza party). Data collection (285) Parahoo (2006) said data collection is methods to measure the data sampling which utilized the instrument tools: questionnaires, observation schedule and other measuring tools. He emphasized that the methods should be predetermined, structured and standardized. Polit and Beck (2003) developed data collection plan include identifying data needs, selecting types of measures, selecting and developing instruments, pre testing the data collection package, and developing data collection forms and procedures. They stressed Important aspects should be considered while implementing the data collection plans are the selecting research personal and personal and the training data collector. Nancy and Susan (2007) explained data collection is the process of obtaining the subject and collecting the data for the research. They explained five tasks during data collection process: recruiting subjects, maintaining consistency, maintaining controls, protecting study integrity, and solving the problem. Structure, quantifiability, obstrusiveness, and objectivity are important elements when selecting data collection instruments (Marcella n.d.a). We have to understand and maintain the important dimension the data collection methods when applied in the data collection plan, and implementing. The obtained data should be accurate, valid, and meaningful to respond the questions. Kalish and William implemented the data collection process in their study. They applied the approaching methods to maintain the important dimensions in data collection such as a tool of missed nursing care and reason for missed care. The Data collection plan used to identify data needs for instance in the describing sample characteristic of participants (table 2.). They construct the tool in their survey to gain the quantify data. While implementing data collection, they selected research personal is staff nurse experts. The training data collector was done which distributed a copy of tool, informed consent form and a letter explaining the study. Data analysis and presentation (299) Joyce and Meredith (ed. 2006) said data analysis is a systematic method of examining data gathered for any research investigation to support hypothesis. This system implements in the data analysis process: the data analysis preparation, the sample description, reliability of measurement test, exploratory analysis conduction, exploratory analysis, confirmatory analysis and posthoc analysis conduction (Nancy Susan 2007). Parahoo (2006) stated analysis data can be obtained from measurement level, and then analyzed with statistical level. He mentioned two statistic levels those are descriptive statistic and inferential statistic. There are several statistical computer programs (SPSS, SAS, LISREL, EQS, etc) which help the researcher to calculate these test statistics and their sampling distribution (eds. Joyce Meredith 2006). Marcella (n.d.b) explained there are two types of inferential statistics are parametric (t-test, ANOVA, Multiple regressions) and non parametric (Chi-square, Rank Correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis). Quantitative research result may be presented in the tables, charts and graphs (Michael, Patricia Frances, 2007, cited Russell, 2005). In conclusion that data analysis is systemic method of examination data started from data collection which used measurement level then data were analyzed by statistical level and presented in the tables, charts and graphs to support hypothesis. Kalish and Williams study (2009) implemented the data analysis process which utilized measurement level and statistical level which completed using SPSS in their study. First step is checking of data accuracy using ordinal scale. The second is describing sample, they use central tendency and dispersion to test the contrast validity. The third is testing the reliability of measurement, they applied cronbach alpha coefficient. Fourth they conducted exploratory analysis as the extraction technique and varimax as orthogonal rotation method, also analyzed using oblique rotation. Fifth they conducted the confirmatory analysis used AMOS version 16. Last step they used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to conduct posthoc analysis. Result study was presented in the table presentation. Conclusion (118) This essay has tried to explore the Kalish and Williams study (2009) about the development and psychometric testing of a tool to measure missed nursing care. Their study has approached and fulfilled the major requirement of quantitative research characteristics that include objectivity, hard data and statistic. They applied quantitative study process which consists of conceptual, design and planning, empirical, analytic and dissemination phase as suggested by Polit and Beck (2004). They also utilized data analysis process of Nancy and Susan (2008). In general view of Kalish and Williams study (2009) has applied the quantitative research systematically. Improvement progress monitoring was done, but effectiveness overview the tool is still recommended to apply in the base practice for long period. References: 1. Carol L. Macnee Susan Mc. Cabe (2008) Understanding nursing research: using research in evidence-base practice, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott and William a Wolter Kluwer Business. 2. Denise F, Polit Cheryl Tatano Beck (2010) Essentials of nursing research: appraising evidence for nursing practice, 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot William Wilkins. 3. Denise F, Polit Cheryl Tatano Beck (2008) Nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot William Wilkins. 4. Denise F, Polit Cheryl Tatano Beck (2003) Nursing research: principle and methods, 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot William Wilkins. 5. Kader Parahoo (2006) Nursing research principles, process and issues, 2nd ed. Hamspire: Palgrave Macmillan. 6. Janet Holt (2009) Reading research series quantitative research: an overview, British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, Vol. 4(5), pp. 234-236. 7. Janet Houser (2008) Nursing research: reading, using and creating evidence, Jones and Bartlett Publisher, Sudbury. 8. Joyce J.F. Meredith W. (eds) 2006, Encyclopedia of nursing, 2nd ed. New York: Springer Publishing. 9. Marcella Hart (n.d.a) Birthing a research project: data collection, International Journal of Childbirth Education, Vol. 22(3) pp. 27-31. 10. Marcella Hart (n.d.b) Birthing a research project: data analysis, International Journal of Childbirth Education, Vol. 22(4), pp. 24-28. 11. Michael Coughlan, Patricia Cronin Frances Ryan (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. part 1: quantitative research, British Journal of Nursing, Vol. 16(11), pp. 658-663. 12. Nancy Burns Susan K. Grove (2007) Understanding nursing research: building an evidence-base practice, 4th ed. Missouri, Saunders an Imprint of Elsevier.