The Causes Of Obesity And Obesity - 1508 Words

Causes of Obesity When it comes to people health, what usually comes up in mind? People may think of some disease, such as cancer or stroke, but nobody thinks about Obesity, which has become one of the biggest issues in America. Obesity is the accumulation of unnecessary body fat. It is a lifestyle disease that is spreading fast worldwide. This disease is affecting individuals of all age, ethnicity, and gender. As we all know, America has an extended history of solving complex problems, but it seems like obesity has stuck with the American people. In the essay, called Politicians Want to tax us Thin, written by Kyle Smith, she states, â€Å"We know obesity is a problem, but just to be sure we need to spend more resources to study it† (501). Smith says that somehow we are unsuccessful to solve the problem of obesity, and it’s affecting many people all over the world. Many people’s problems are due to their bad habits: they do not care to read the labels of what th ey eat, and they do not think what is natural and healthy for them before they eat. People pass such habits to their children, as it is predictable, and now childhood obesity is also becoming a rising issue. Many factors contribute to the causes of obesity in America while health officials and scientists all agree on the more general causes including lack of exercise, eating junk food, and family lifestyle. Firstly, lack of exercise is one of the major causes of Obesity. An article called, The Causes and Effects ofShow MoreRelatedThe Causes Of Obesity And Obesity1519 Words   |  7 PagesAaron Heiden Robert S. Pilsner WR 121 17 March 2013 The Causes of Obesity Many people speculate that obesity is genetic, but is it? Is childhood obesity caused by a lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, or both? Obese people, or more commonly referred to as fat people or overweight people, are defined as adults who’s BMI (body mass index) is over 30 percent. There have always been overweight people in human society, but the rate of growth for this percentage of our population has been steadily risingRead MoreThe Causes Of Obesity And Obesity1032 Words   |  5 PagesThe Causes of Obesity Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern; it also increases your risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and muscular skeletal disorders. It is estimated that obesity affects more than a third of the American adult population and seventeen percent of the American children population (Moores, 2005). Obesity has many definitions; one of the many definitions is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negativeRead MoreCauses Of Obesity756 Words   |  4 Pagescosts of care for treating three diseases. Obesity, Diabetes, and high blood pressure are the most spreading diseases in the United States and cost the country a huge amount of money for treatments. Obesity or the extra weight harms health in many ways. It raises the danger of developing circumstances, such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and some types of cancers, to name just a few, and cuts the life distance. Treating obesity or any obesity related situations costs the country billionsRead MoreObesity : Obesity Causes And Solutions1658 Words   |  7 PagesObesity Causes and Solutions In recent decades, obesity has grown to become considered an epidemic. In Natalie Boreo’s book â€Å"Killer Fat†, she discusses this obesity epidemic along with its social, political, economic, and moral influences. A number of factors contribute to the high instances of obesity; a person’s lifestyle, eating habits, culture, sedentary behaviors, activity levels, socioeconomic status, among many others. Sociologists seek to understand the physical, emotional and social influencesRead MoreCauses and Effects of Obesity823 Words   |  3 PagesObesity occurs in all countries and it is one of the gravest problems in modern society. Mankinds around the world are concerned about obesity. One of the chief causes is unhealthy diets. Obesity is also due to lack of exercise and lack of education and awareness. Therefore obesity has various effects include risk of suffering from a range of health conditions, large fiscal expenditure on medical insurance and lack of self- esteem. One of the chief causes is unhealthy diets. There are high-calorieRead MoreCauses of Childhood Obesity630 Words   |  3 Pageshowever, can be a problem to many children. This is referred to as obesity, when it occurs among children between ages 2 and 8 it is called childhood referred. Childhood obesity has been on the rise for the past few decades and it is making the lives of children shorter. Childhood obesity can be the outcome of many influences. Economic factors, an unmonitored environment, and lack of activity, are some effects of childhood obesity. To start with, the first and major reason causing children to beRead MoreThe Chief Causes Of Obesity1110 Words   |  5 PagesThe Chief Causes of Obesity As we all know the obesity has become a great problem for many people around the world. A research shows that 34.9% of adults in the United States are obese, and the money used for health problems relating to obesity has greatly increased. The estimated cost was $147 billion in 2008, and the cost for obese people were $1,429 higher than normal people (cdc.gov). There are a lot of factors which makes many Americans obese. The chief causes of obesity are bad food choicesRead MoreCauses Of Obesity In America1030 Words   |  5 PagesObesity is a big problem in the United States today. According to Harvard Womens Health Watch, â€Å"33% of American adults are obese, compared with 15% in the late 1970s. More than 60% of women are overweight or obese†. When it comes to losing weight, many people devotedly believe in the 80/20 rule, which is what and how a person eats is 80% of the effort in losing weight. This is somewhat disconcerting if these people live in America because of th e obesity epidemic currently going on, which is causedRead MoreCauses and Effects of Obesity832 Words   |  3 PagesThe epidemic of obesity is a medical circumstance defined as excess weight in the form of fat which may impair health. (World Obesity Federation, 2012). Obesity can be calculated by BMI which is body mass index. Obesity means BMI greater than 30. (ibid). This essay will outline the causes and effects of obesity. Diet, lifestyle, toxic environment and the causes of obesity are physical, psychological and economic are impacts. One fundamental cause of obesity is diet. Adolescence is perfect exampleRead MoreThe Causes and Effects of Obesity686 Words   |  3 PagesCauses and Effects of Obesity Overview Obesity according to Birmingham and Treasure means there is an excess of adipose tissue (fat) in the body (195). Today, hardly a day goes without the mention of an obesity related issue in the news. In a way, obesity is increasingly becoming a national epidemic. As medical practitioners debate on whether or not obesity should be regarded a disease, policy makers are mulling over what course of action should be adopted so as to rein in the problem of obesity

The Ethics Of The Workplace - 1554 Words

Ethics in the Workplace We as individuals come across situations in our daily lives that force us to make decisions that we may always agree with morally as well as decisions that may push our moral compasses to their limits. If you are a working professional no matter what the field, these decisions can come with big ramifications, good or bad. I have come to find that with every individual there comes a different set of beliefs, attitude, boundaries and ethical views. We do not all share the same brain so I find it hard to digest that we all think the same way during the same situations. We may not all see eye to eye on these topics but when you work for an employer whether it be a fortune 500 company or just a small mom and pops you have to adhere to their companies set of values and beliefs. Many large companies have policies and trainings in place to project these values to their employees. Business Ethics is defined as the application of a moral code of conduct to the stra tegic and operational management of a business (Applied Corporate Goverenance.com). As many large companies do provide the training on Business Ethics and what they expect from their employees many of the smaller companies do not. I have worked on both ends of the spectrum and while the training was very beneficial in my eyes I ultimately think that it is up to the individual to uphold these moral standards not just for the company but themselves as well. Companies may have variations onShow MoreRelatedEthics : Ethics And The Workplace1407 Words   |  6 PagesIn this day in age ethics is a big part of businesses. An Ethical employee tends to make decisions in the best interest of their employers, co-workers, and also outside companies other than themselves. This being said I will be discussing how ethics and communication can help and benefit you in the workplace and how it can build relationships with employees, what companies look for in their workplace using ethic also some statistics of how ethics benefits the workplace, and a few cons businessesRead MoreEthics And Ethics Of The Workplace1014 Words   |  5 PagesEthics in the Workplace What is Ethics and why is it an important part of the workplace? Ethics or moral philosophy is the branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia) Decisions taken within an organization may be made by person or groups, but whoever makes them will be influenced by the culture of the company. A decision to behave ethically is a moral. Employees need to decide what they thinkRead MoreEthics in the Workplace1201 Words   |  5 PagesEthics in the Workplace Classical and Contemporary Ethical Philosophies Ethical philosophies served as guide for people in the workplace to make moral decisions in conducting business. There are classical normative ethical philosophies as well as contemporary ethical philosophies being used. They have been applied in the different levels or dimensions of the business organizations. People do know that there are business organizations that have disregarded ethical standards and encounters ethicalRead MoreWorkplace Ethics1046 Words   |  5 PagesWorkplace Ethics: Unprofessional Conduct BUS 309 Business Ethics Professor: Keith Graves August 23, 2013 Today, there seems to a big misconception of what professionalism means in and out the workplace. Many people go to work just to earn a living and that is fine however, when you hold a position of stature or prestige there are certain elements you must value to the profession as a teacher. â€Å"Professional teacher† refers to the status of a person who is paid to teach. They are supposedRead MoreEthics in the Workplace1223 Words   |  5 PagesGood ethics is essential in the workplace to have a good, working environment. Many companies now enforce ethics training, in hopes that the good ethics will rise above bad ethics. But in too many cases that does not happen. It is important to enforce good ethics in the workplace so that trust may be a result. Employers must be able to build trust around their employees and visa versa. Employees must also be able to trust fellow employees. When bad ethics are being displayed by an individualRead MoreWorkplace Ethics1008 Words   |  5 Pages Assignment 2: Workplace Ethics Danielle Davis Professor Kenneth A. Pino BUS 309: Business Ethics Abstract Regardless of your occupation, employees have the right to privacy. Case 9.1: Unprofessional Conduct shows how Pettit privacy was violated. Pettit was a teacher of many years and never had a bad evaluation of her work. What she did outside of work was labeled unprofessional by the Board of Education and they chose to fire her because they believed she was unfit to teach. I disagree withRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Workplace923 Words   |  4 Pagesis aimed at providing the larger audience an overview of the ethics of the workplace related to the issues of ownership, privacy and monitoring in a working environment. There are practical examples to demonstrate how ethics play an important role in working environments related to information privacy but still there is less consensus on uniquely identifying specific ethical issues. Employees at different organization may define ethics from their own perspective which makes it difficult to implementRead MoreEthics in the Workplace2413 W ords   |  10 PagesEthics in the Workplace – Sears Auto Center Ethics in the workplace and sometimes the lack thereof can significantly influence the success of an organization. Effective leaders often approach ethical dilemmas by identifying alternative actions and their consequences on stakeholders. The aftermath of the disasters caused by Enron, WorldCom, and other businesses, once prominent companies, resulted in a significant loss of confidence in business leader’s conduct. Organizations in today’s highly competitiveRead MoreEthics In The Workplace Essay1713 Words   |  7 PagesEthics in the Workplace What is ethics? Is ethics an ability that grows in us from a child or does our parents teaches us ethics? According to dictionary.com, states that the word ethics means, the code of good conducts for an individual or group. Ethics also means, simply stated, that ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionalsRead MoreImportance Of Ethics In The Workplace1572 Words   |  7 PagesThe Importance of Ethics in the Workplace In their personal and professional lives, people can and, unfortunately, sometimes do go against their moral and ethical standards. Ethical standards are what it means to be a good person, the social rules that govern our behavior. Ethics in business is essentially the study of what constitutes the right and wrong or the good or bad behavior in the workplace environment. A business is an organization whose objective is to provide goods or services for profit

Employee Efficiency and Organization Productivity †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Employee Efficiency and Organization Productivity. Answer: Introduction: This paper reviews the article The Effect of the Motivation Techniques Used by Managers to Increase the Productivity of their Workers and an Application by Guclu and Guney (2017). The thesis statement of this article is that productivity of employees can be increased by motivating them. The aim of this article is to determine the managers perceptions towards their employees specifically in manufacturing facilities. The intended audience of this article are managers who manage several employees and need to analyze factors that affect employee productivity. The study is also beneficial for the scholars and practitioners who are looking to research motivation as an impactful way to increase employee motivation and productivity. These researchers shall be able to critically analyze factors affecting efficiency and conduct further studies to enhance organizational productivity. The authors Haci Guclu and Salih Guney are professors in Istanbul Aydin University which is one of the most repu ted educational institutions. Therefore, the source of this study may be considered reliable. The title of the study clearly indicates that the study is related to motivation techniques for employee productivity. However, the title fails to mention that the study is linked with employees of manufacturing employees that may be indicative of research being a general study. The abstract of this article is elaborate and detailed where a brief is provided of efficiency and motivation techniques. Although, it is observed that the concept of efficiency and motivation could be provided in introduction rather than the abstract. Additionally, the findings and recommendations of the test conducted are not provided that makes it unclear for the audience. A complete picture of the study is not obtained through the abstract. Further, the problem of the research study is not clearly stated. The purpose of this study is stated while it forgets to specify the problems that may arise if the employees are not motivated. Guclu and Guney (2017) could have stated the aims, objectives, research que stions or hypotheses clearly. As the study does not state any research questions or hypotheses, the specific issue or concern that shall be addressed in the research study is unclear (Graves, Sarkis and Zhu 2013). The literature of the research study involves the importance and nature of motivation and efficiency in the workplace. The literature of this study is strong as Guclu and Guney (2017) involves different theories related to motivation such as Maslow's Theory of Need Hierarchy, Alderfer's Erg Theory, Herzbergs Two-Factor Theory, McClellands Need Theory, Vrooms Expectancy Theory and various others. These theories are considered the most popular and most applied in every organization. However, every theory could be diagrammatically represented that would help in better understanding of the audience. Additionally, a conceptual framework could be added where motivation and efficiency can be represented in the form of figure. It would help in better understanding of the study including theories, beliefs and factors which are a part of research design (Gupta and Shaw 2014). The study conducted by Chen et al. (2015) links perceived health support and employee productivity. This research article needs to establish the importance of monetary and non-monetary factors affecting motivation level of the employees. It is argued that provision of job incentives can contribute to social and physical factors thereby influencing employee motivation (Patro 2015). It is argued that motivation has a strong influence over staff outcomes and job satisfaction. The theories need to be determined for job satisfaction and employee commitment levels. Recommendations such as conducting training sessions, hiking salary, providing bonuses and recognizing employees in the organization can be provided (Kumar and Babu 2015). The research methodology adopted by Guclu and Guney (2017) to conduct the research study is survey. As the population was too big, 229 people were selected as the sample size working in erkezky Organized Industrial Site. The design is appropriate for the study as quantitative analysis is suitable for conducting research study in a large population. The sample size is sufficient for the purpose of study, i.e. motivation affecting efficiency of the employees. The data findings of this study is clearly represented in the form of tables that helps differentiate the responses gathered from people of different age groups, educational background and other demographics. Guclu and Guney (2017) specifies the data collection and analysis methods that are the strongest parts of the research article. The results of the article are stated using different methods of analysis such as Cronbachs alpha and Kruskal-Wallis Test. Cronbachs alpha is a test used for measuring internal consistency. It is con sidered to be a measure of scale reliability. Kruskal-Wallis test helps in measuring validity and reliability of the research study. Therefore, the test results of this research study are reliable and valid as significant tests are conducted. The analysis for the research study is in alignment with motivation level and efficiency of the employees. A clear link between motivation and employee productivity is established. The results could also be represented in the form of graphs or charts apart from tables to enhance pictorial representation which is more impactful in understanding (Barrick et al. 2015). The research study lacks a critical discussion and no relationship to the theories and concepts to previous literature have been determined. A good research article comprises of a critical discussion that discusses the findings of research study and assumptions or concepts formulated for the research study. Guclu and Guney (2017) could make the research better by evaluating the text. The findings of the study that were different from that of concepts and assumptions from previous literature go unidentified. According to Samnani and Singh (2014), recognition is a motivating non-monetary factor. The importance of employees as most valuable assets needs to be determined. This question cannot be answered with a definite statement. Against the background of the research study, this article must explore through the ways that enhances employee motivation or willingness to work. The study can be expanded by motivation affecting their commitment level towards the organization that can increas e productivity. A discussion regarding employee loyalty and commitment towards the organization can also be linked with employee productivity (Mikkelson, York, and Arritola 2015). The final section of this report, Conclusion and Suggestions adds to the summary of the entire research study and recommendations for conducting any further study. The summary of research is presented in an excellent manner. The findings from the literature and primary research is well represented and linked back with the references that adds weight to the arguments made in the study (Hogan and Coote 2014). However, one of the greatest weaknesses of the article is that it does not include the implications of the study. The intended audience through this research study are not determined that might mislead the readers. The research study only involves primary method of research that made the study time-consuming. Guclu and Guney (2017) might have chosen to involve secondary study analysis as well to obtain time-saving and cost benefits. The peer-reviewed journal articles are reliable sources for adding to the research study (Cerasoli, Nicklin and Ford 2014). The suggestions provided f or conducting further research gives a hint to conduct future study. As the study is limited to a single organization, it cannot be used to generalize results. The employees of erkezky Organized Industrial Site are assessed due to which the result for other industries cannot be assumed. It is further noted that the references chosen for this research study are not the best ones. Incomplete references are provided for academic books that do not mention the edition or place of publication. The research study could involve more peer-reviewed articles and other reputed journals that make the research study authentic. Also, the references are decades old that make the data questionable. There might be a chance that the data might not be appropriate for analyzing the employees of current situation as the data sources are outdated. Also, no appendix is provided stating the survey that was conducted to gather data for this research study. There is a need for survey comprising of questions that were asked to the participants of this research study (Boxall, Hutchison and Wassenaar 2015). Conclusively, the thesis statement of this research study is proven significant. The employee motivation and productivity are highly linked with one another. The increase in motivation shall increase the productivity level of employees. It is argued that provision of job incentives can contribute to social and physical factors thereby influencing employee motivation. The tests involved in this research study- Cronbachs alpha and Kruskal-Wallis Test are highly reliable and valid. The study can be expanded by motivation affecting their commitment level towards the organization that can increase productivity. There might be a chance that the data might not be appropriate for analyzing the employees of current situation as the data sources are outdated. There is a need for survey comprising of questions that were asked to the participants of this research study. The study can be expanded by motivation affecting their commitment level towards the organization that can increase productivit y. References Barrick, M.R., Thurgood, G.R., Smith, T.A. and Courtright, S.H., 2015. Collective organizational engagement: Linking motivational antecedents, strategic implementation, and firm performance.Academy of Management Journal,58(1), pp.111-135. Boxall, P., Hutchison, A. and Wassenaar, B., 2015. How do high-involvement work processes influence employee outcomes? An examination of the mediating roles of skill utilisation and intrinsic motivation.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,26(13), pp.1737-1752. Cerasoli, C.P., Nicklin, J.M. and Ford, M.T., 2014. Intrinsic motivation and extrinsic incentives jointly predict performance: A 40-year meta-analysis.Psychological bulletin,140(4), p.980. Chen, L., Hannon, P.A., Laing, S.S., Kohn, M.J., Clark, K., Pritchard, S. and Harris, J.R., 2015. Perceived workplace health support is associated with employee productivity. American Journal of Health Promotion, 29(3), pp.139-146. Graves, L.M., Sarkis, J. and Zhu, Q., 2013. How transformational leadership and employee motivation combine to predict employee proenvironmental behaviors in China.Journal of Environmental Psychology,35, pp.81-91. Guclu, H. and Guney, S., 2017. The Effect of the Motivation Techniques Used by Managers to Increase the Productivity of their Workers and an Application. Business Management Dynamics, 6(7), p.01-18. Gupta, N. and Shaw, J.D., 2014. Employee compensation: The neglected area of HRM research.Human Resource Management Review,24(1), pp.1-4. Hogan, S.J. and Coote, L.V., 2014. Organizational culture, innovation, and performance: A test of Schein's model.Journal of Business Research,67(8), pp.1609-1621. Kumar, K.P. and Babu, S.S., 2015. Social engagement synergy of unionized employees with enterprise objectives: An emerging paradigm in industrial relations.IUP Journal of Management Research,14(2), p.52. Mikkelson, A.C., York, J.A. and Arritola, J., 2015. Communication competence, leadership behaviors, and employee outcomes in supervisor-employee relationships.Business and Professional Communication Quarterly,78(3), pp.336-354. Patro, C.S., 2015. Influence of Retention Policies on Employee Efficiency and Organization Productivity.Managerial Strategies and Practice in the Asian Business Sector, p.124. Samnani, A.K. and Singh, P., 2014. Performance-enhancing compensation practices and employee productivity: The role of workplace bullying.Human Resource Management Review,24(1), pp.5-16.

Stress Essays (1408 words) - Stress, Behavior, Psychology

Stress Stress is the wear and tear our bodies experience as we adjust to our continual changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence stress can result in feelings of distrust, rejection anger, and depression, which in turn can cause health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high pressure, heart disease, and stroke. (Koop,1998). The long term effects of stress on ones health are quite significant. The American Academy of Family Physicians has said that two thirds of office visits to family doctors are prompted by stress-related symptoms. Stress is more than just a nuisance or something that occasionally makes people feel nervous or anxious. Very stressful events have been associated with a dramatically increased risk of heart attack. Chronic, ongoing stress, even when it is not so dramatic, can affect ones health in very significant ways. One common example of this is the effect of a very stressful job. Stress, however, is not always bad. Some stress is inevitable and actually beneficial. Stress helps people when they need to grow, attain difficult goals and perform their best. Some degree of stress enhances performance even when individuals are not in immediate danger. An athlete in a race may perform better because of the stress of the big event. A wedding can be both very stressful and very happy at the s ame time. It would not be desirable to eliminate all stress from everyones life. The total absence of stress would leave people sluggish and bored. Stress can increase performance, but only to a point. When ones stress exceeds a certain limit, additional stress will detract from performance. Stress or nervousness before a big presentation sometimes helps one to perform better and/or think with more clarity and precision,. However, if that person becomes excessively stressed and anxious, he or she will have difficulty remembering what to say. The physical stress of swimming in very cold water helps individuals to swim harder, but only for a short time. The colder the water and harder that one swims, the more quickly he or she becomes exhausted. Everyones tolerance for stress is different, and individuals handle various types of stress differently. It is important to recognize and respect ones limits. People do not learn to handle stress by letting it overwhelm them and rob them of their strength. Ideally, people would be able to adjust to the amount of stress that they face so that they receive neither too much nor too little. This, of course, is not always possible. When one cannot eliminate excessive stress, the best way to manage it is to learn to maintain a balance even during a stressful event. If people learn to recognize the warning signs of increasing stress before they reach their limit, they can cope intelligently with their stresses before their resources are all spent. (Sarafino,1999). A large population of people suffering from high stress is college students. In a study by Whiteman (1998) stress is defined as any situation that evokes negative thoughts and feelings in a person. The same situation is not evocative or stressful for all people, and all people do not experience the same negative thoughts and feelings when stressed. A critical issue concerning stress among students is its effect on learning. Yerkes-Doson Law postulates that individuals under low and high stress learn to the least and that those under moderate stress learn the most. Field study and laboratory tests support the notion that excessive stress is harmful to students performance. Mechanisms that explain why students perform badly under stress include hypervigilance (excessive alertness to a stressful situation resulting in panic-for example, overstudying for an exam) and premature closure (quickly choosing a solution to end a stressful situation-for example, rushing through an exam). (Falk,1995). Students react to college in a variety of ways. For some students, college is stressful because it is an abrupt change from high school. For others, separation from home is a source of stress. Although some stress is necessary for personal growth to occur, the amount of stress can overwhelm

Selected Poems of Robert Frost free essay sample

An analysis of several poems by American poet Robert Frost. A paper which reviews three of Robert Frosts poems, A Considerable Speck, After Apple-Picking, and Two Tramps in Mud Time. The paper shows how these poems express Frosts optimism the bug lives in the end, even the bad apples will become apple cider, and the spring will eventually follow winter. Many of us have inadvertently or perhaps on purpose squashed a tiny bug without thought. But in a Considerable Speck, Frost connects with the bug and in return it teaches him something about the meaning of life. Frost personifies the bug in the line, To express how much it didnt want to die. He again personifies the bug by saying that it ran with terror. He tells how the bug, at first tries to run in an attempt to preserve its life and them accepts its fate and waits in acceptance of what is about to come. We will write a custom essay sample on Selected Poems of Robert Frost or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is illustrated by the line, It faltered; I could see it hesitate; Then in the middle of the open sheet, Cower down in desperation to accept, Whatever I accorded it of fate. A Considerable Speck was written after Frost had watched his sister die of a long, prolonged, type of fever (Pritchard, 1994). His description of the plight of the bug is much as Frost may have seen the plight of his sister in the battle against the disease.

Case study Southwest Airlines

Case study Southwest Airlines Introduction Southwest Airlines has been a strong growth organization over the 40 years and has been a pacesetter in the US airline industry. Using its low fares, fun-loving culture, friendly service, on-time flights, point-to-point operational strategy, the airline has been able to maintain profits and a record growth rate through the years while other airline companies run out of business and file bankruptcy due to depressed market conditions.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case study: Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Southwest begun offering hauls between Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, and it has diversified its markets and now carry more passengers than any other American air company (about 90 million during 2010) and lately announced the buyout of AirTran Airways for $1.4 billion. The airline now has a market capitalization of over US$ 14 billion and is placed as one of the strongest a irlines in the ailing air transport business (Bamber, Gittell, Kochan von Nordenflytch 2009). The entire airline industry appears to be on the mends after enduring expensive labor contracts, soaring fuel costs and reduced consumer demand. However, Southwest has experienced growth in the harsh airline industry because it’s no frills business model focuses on controlling costs. Southwest targets routes with high customer demand and the advanced experience of Southwest’s staff allow Southwest to fast turnaround aircraft and keep their planes in the air more hours per day than its rivals. However, although Southwest is in many ways has been a success story for the U.S. airline industry, Southwest airlines is currently facing stiff challenges that are threating its enviable success. Though these challenges do come as a surprise to the company as they have already been experience actross the airline industry and have brought to knees many of the industry leaders to an exten d of bankruptcy. Business Problem and Critical Issues The airline industry has been faced by a lot of challenges lately, which have brought big companies to their knees and even others files for bankruptcy to avoid litigations and eventual dissolution. Issues are:Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Economic crises The economic hard times have really hit on the airlines industry, with most consumers reducing on travelling to say holiday destinations, and preferring even cheaper modes of travelling like road for shorter distances. This has really affected the operations of Southwest airlines as the number of flights per day have decreased significantly, while its costs like employee maintenance and plane maintenance have remained constant or even gone up (Rob 1997). However, this might not seem as a great challenge for Southwest as its well know for its low-cost fl ights and at a time when customers are cutting on their transportation costs, the airline comes in handy and is expected to reap from the hard times. Increase in fuel costs, shift in fuel hedging contracts The high cost of fuel is conceivably the most apparent challenge facing the airline industry currently, with many imposing fuel surcharges on customers. The high costs are a factor for most industries, but fuel is a particularly important factor for airlines. Fuel represents 25% to 40% of the airlines operating expenses and experts approximate that a $1 per barrel price increase in fuel costs the airline industry US$175 million annually. With the price per barrel hanging in the high US$ 60 plus mark (the price moved above US$ 50 at the end of February 2005), airline companies are feeling the heat on their bottom-line. This is so evident that each time crude prices go up, airline stock prices dwindle down because of the knee-jerk reaction from the airline industry investors (Terry 2007).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case study: Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For the Southwest airlines most of its fund hedge contracts were running until 2010, and now the company had to sign new hedging contracts. Given the uncertainty of the oil industry the company is forced to sign expensive contracts with are rather not in tandem with its cost cutting austerities. For 2012, ticket prices are expected to jump about 15% and this is a major challenge to Southwest as it aims to provide cheap transport options with effective travel packages. Increase in maintenance costs With the cost of almost everything in the global markets going up, every aspect of the airline industry has gone up. Maintenance costs have soared up as the cost of labor and materials have almost doubled up over the last decades. The maintenance engineers are demanding new pay packages One of the move Southwest airl ines has taken to reduce the maintenance costs it to have its maintenance done at overseas facilities, which are rather cheaper considering the extensive overhaul needed for airplanes on a time-to-time basis. However, American maintenance workers are far more efficient doing the maintenance, but they are very expensive and demand as much as three fold what others demand in the global market (Rugman, Oh Lim 2012). The increase in maintenance prices may make its way down to the consumers, thus Southwest may be forced to increase its prices to remain profitable though this might hurt its business models of cheap transport means. Demand by employees, pilots for more pay Southwest airline’s mainly unionized employees have been pushing for pay increases to equal the rich contracts negotiated by other airlines.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Currently, Southwest offers a first-year minimum pay of US$ $49,572 for its pilots, considering that the company normally recruits more experienced pilots than other airline companies. Though as of 2010, it was ranked the best paying airline company its pilots are demanding for an increase in their pay. Parameters for Analysis Porter’s Five Forces According to Porter, the success of Southwests strategy is due partly to its consistency and integration and the unity that ties everything together. Instead of the classic hub-and-spoke system used by most major carriers, Southwest applies a point-to-point strategy which allows it to pick the most profitable routes to ply. The airline provides service to 61 airports in 31 states with its fleet of over 500 Boeing 737s. In terms of annual revenue and available seat-miles (ASM) Southwest outdoes many of the legacy carriers and is ranked as one of the largest American carriers. Nevertheless, Southwest is also categorized as a regional or discount carriers due to its point-to-point operational system and discount services. Internal Rivalry The airline industry is typified by several carriers who have very little differentiation in their product. Thus, due to these factors and the current market conditions, the airline industry is in a vulnerable situation. Over the recent times, four major airlines filed bankruptcy; Delta Airlines Inc, Northwest Airlines Corp., United Airlines and ATA Airlines. The partial differentiation of the products of most major airline companies together with the rising demand elasticity has seen the airline industry use price competition as its major way of rivalry. This unhealthy price competition has eroded profits as the price-cost margins have reduced tremendously. Southwest came into the market with its niche as discount airlines. Southwest Airlines is in a unique situation since it is one of the principal driving forces in the current price competition. Presently, Southwest has the l owest cost per available seat mile (CASM) of the major airlines and this makes the company control prices to maintain its profitability level. Nevertheless, Southwest Airlines cost per available seat mile has been gradually increasing due to increased labor costs and a decreasing fuel hedge. Though Southwest could be facing challenges, Southwest is expected to have a competitive advantage over other airlines even discount airlines as they are trimming their margins and thus have the potential of a lower cost per available seat mile. Entry The airline industry is a highly centralized industry with the top ten players taking more than 90% of total American air traffic as of 2004. In spite of the consolidation of industry and the depleting earnings of most major carriers, many new players are attempting to venture into the airline industry in past years, for example Jetblue which came into the market in 2000 and has registered positive margins. However, entry into the industry is rathe r difficult considering the stiff barriers in the industry. The big financial liabilities experienced by many major carriers in recently and the decreasing customer demand that has been experienced resulting in the tightening of the capital markets for the financing of start-ups. However, industry analysts predict that there could be a significant change in both industry demand and profitability that could match with increased access to capital markets for new ventures and thus create an incentive for new entrants (Raynor, 2011). The distinctive approach of new entrants could be to pursue regional markets that have more profitable routes and offer lower prices that the existing airlines given their low marginal costs since they have lower labor and maintenance cost. Substitutes and Complements Airlines compete with other forms of transport. The primary substitute for the airline industry is the automobile. The integrated inter-state highway system in America makes it possible to go almost anyplace by car. Road travel leads short distance travel because of the unrealistic nature of flying such short distance, though as distance needed to travel lengthens usage of carriers considerably increases and vice versa. In 2010, only 13% of road trips were longer than 1000 miles, comparing to 75% of airline trips. Also rail transport is another substitute to the air transport. These regional forms of transportation don’t correspond to a direct substitute for the air transport but they may be a competitive advantage that regional carriers have to consider. That why Southwest Airlines operates a point-to-point destination schedule between regional cities that may also be connected by considerable bus or railroad traffic. Increased lag times at many airports as a result of increased security checks means the time advantage gained by using air travel has diminished. Thus, the marginal benefit of using air carriers for transport has decreased and the use of train or au tomobile may become more viable options. Supplier Power The airline industry is susceptible to supplier power through three principal inputs; jet fuel, airframes and labor. However, jet fuel suppliers have the strongest supplier power. Jet fuel prices may not perfectly correlate with oil prices but since 2005 when the historical price level of oil reached US$ 70.85, the effects have got worse for the airline industry. Like the rest of the airline industry, Southwest Airlines has been facing dwindling margins due to increasing fuel costs, especially now that the company has got into new fuel hedging contracts after its contracts expired in 2009. Southwest now utilizes dynamic hedging strategies that allow it to apply hedging to control the episodic nature of jet fuel prices by countering anticipated higher prices in the future. Southwest currently has an advanced hedging program that is continually trying to determine future cash flows relating to jet fuel prices to optimize their he dges. Buyer Power Consumers recently have a significant buyer power over the airline industry. The economic crisis and terrorist threats have had a considerable effect on consumer demand. From their high in 2000, revenue passenger-miles (RPM) have decreased significantly and though they have rallied lately they remain at a low level. The industry has attempted to reduce available seat-miles to react to reduced RPM but the reaction hasn’t been sufficient thus there is a lower load factors. Carriers excess capacity and the perishable nature of plane seats have made customers to put a lot of pressure on the price of airline tickets. The demand for airline services is highly demand elastic and consumers react fast. Southwest was the first airline to offer online reservations as a way of reducing costs (this saves the company over $40 million annually) and the commissions paid to travel agents. Southwest does not offer joint travel website like most carriers do as the management a rgues that their competitors will gain competitive advantage over it and work negatively on its brand loyalty. Action Recommendation Southwest has suffered considerable criticism from the investment world because of its increasing CASM. Other new regional entrants airlines have entered the market in the attempt to challenge Southwest’s dominant position. As CASM increases, Southwest becomes more susceptible and appears to be losing its most important market advantage. Southwest needs to counter increasing fuel costs with improved non-fuel cost management and fuel hedging strategy. The non-fuel costs Southwest needs to focus on are maintenance and labor. Many of the other operational costs will be harder to control but with its current market position, Southwest can take steps now to ensure that it retains its low cost advantage. Over 40 percent of Southwest’s total CASM is due to salaries, wages and benefits for a labor force that is over 80 percent unionized. Many of these unions’ contracts will become amendable during the next several years. The outcome of these agreement negotiations, especially the pilots’ union, will have a considerable effect impact on the carrier future cost structure. The airline is currently in a strong financial position but it must take into account the dramatic reduction in labor costs that are occurring throughout the rest of the industry. Also Southwest’s traditional strategy for growth may not continue to work in the future due to its hub airport strategy of the legacy airlines. Southwest traditionally selects only highly profitable city pair routes on which they can establish a strong market share through low prices and high load factors. However, Southwest has already entered many of the most profitable markets. Growth opportunities still exist for Southwest in expanding operations in cities already serviced. It is recommended that Southwest enter new cities especially those that have been se rving as hubs for weakened legacy airlines. Also Southwest should to expand by opening service to international destinations using their current operational strategy (Owen, 1999). Also the company should continue to successfully hedge fuel prices and Improve employee-management relations to avoid disruptive contract negotiations. Conclusion Through consistent focus on operational efficiency and cost control, progressive human resources management, upbeat marketing, service to understand markets, and a dedication to quality at every level, Southwest Airlines is poised to remain profitable and dynamic. References Bamber, G.J., Gittell, J.H., Kochan, T.A. von Nordenflytch, A., (2009). Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging their Employees. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Owen, B., (February 22, 1999). SouthwestS Now In A New York State Of Mind | Nuts About Southwest. Blogsouthwest.com. Raynor, M. E., (2011). Disruptive innovation: the Southwest Airlines case revisited. Strategy Leadership 39, no. 4, 31-34. Rob K, (February 21, 1997). Southwest may add cities to Iceland deal. Baltimore Business Journal, 56-89. Rugman, A. M., Oh, Chang H. Lim, D., (2012). The regional and global competitiveness of multinational firms. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 40, no. 2, 218-235. Terry, R. J. (December 10, 2007). Icelandair stopping flights out of BWI.  Web.

Organizational Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Organizational Problem - Essay Example To do so she must look beyond the surface issues -- resistant to her presence and management style, resentment because she does not have any experience or skills required to work in the department and her new staff is not ready and willing to assist her in understanding the workflow process, policies and procedures of the department. Any change in an organization means there is disruption in the workflow process, communication flow and resistance and shifts in the moral. Bolman & Deal defined said that â€Å"†¦ change disrupts existing roles and working relationships, producing confusion and uncertainty. Structural patterns need to be revised and realigned to support the new direction†¦causes loss of meaning for people on the receiving end of change.† (2003, p. 339) In a family owned and managed manufacturing organization such as the one in the case, we find that the culture and the organizational structure dictates how and when change will be acknowledged and accepted by all. Therefore the organizational structure is defined as a hybrid -- simple and divisionalized form, in which power and direction of leadership come from the bottom up and it is based on major divisions of labor between members/staff on the line. In this organization management observes at a distance and allows the staff to produce, interact and communicate among themselves. There are specific expectation and roles as well as policies and procedures among the staff and they govern as well as dictate the level(s) of success the organization achieves. According to Bolman & Deal (2003) in organizations â€Å"Structure provides clarity, predictability, and security. Formal roles prescribe duties and outline how work is to be performed. Policies and standard operating procedures synchronize diverse efforts into well-coordinated programs.† (p.324) The firm is more dependent on the knowledge and skill sets of its workers (staff) than on their ability to