Threats to Nike and Potential Strategies Research Paper Example

Threats to Nike and Potential Strategies Paper It is important to identify the key strengths and weaknesses of Nike to try and find strategies that may be used to help protect the weaknesses and oppose threats and identify and fulfill new opportunities in the market. To help me analyse these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats I am going to use a SWOT analysis to assess the current situation with regards to these factors to try and help me better understand the pressures on Nike and hopefully develop strategies able to effect these current conditions and improve the Nike organization. Nike is known as the lead competitor in the footwear industry. It is a globalised brand, recognized all over the world. Because of this it plays an important role in the footwear sector and some may say are the trend leaders and setters in particular in relation to sport shoes. Nike promote themselves as the innovator of footwear and pay particular detail to the research and development of their products. Nike do not own any factories which means it does not tie money up in property or manufacturing works. This makes Nike a very lean organization. Nike is the worlds top sports manufacturer and can use this brand image and power to promote their products. We will write a custom essay sample on Threats to Nike and Potential Strategies specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Threats to Nike and Potential Strategies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Threats to Nike and Potential Strategies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The footwear sector of Nikes organization is the largest and most profitable so it is imperative Nike concentrate on the innovation and promotion of their products in this sector. The retail sector is very price sensitive. For this reason Nike have to ensure they are producing products as cheaply as possible without compromising quality. Because Nike sell primarily to retailers this is an ever more important factor as Nike does have it own retailer (Nike town) and large retailers Nike sell too put companies under pressure to produce products cheaply to improve margins. Product development offers Nike many opportunites. (Marketing Teacher). Although Nike believes they are a sports brand, some consumers of the Nike products do not partake in sport. This shows that Nike is not only a sports brand but is now considered a large fashion brand too. This means there are new opportunities to create innovating products to try and target the fashion market. Nike has used various celebrities to endorse products which has, to some extent, made Nike the trend setter as people copy the stars. This is a great way to promote products and capitalizing on this new, potentially huge market in fashion footwear could promote new opportunities in the sector. Nike could also further their worldwide brand dominance by expanding their services to new countries. China and India are both economies that are expanding rapidly so the increase in income for these two economies could be potential to promote products to the wealthy Indian or China economies. As Nike trade internationally they are prone to changes within the international markets. This can include differing exchange rates so costs and margins are not as stable as they could be. This means Nike has to assess its markets and products especially regarding price, regularly to stay competitive. Most of Nikes products are manufactured abroad to make them cheaper, however, many other companies including Nikes top competitors have done the same in order to compete with Nikes cheap production costs. This has made the footwear market very price sensitive and so price competitiveness is now more important than ever before. In the following diagram it shows the fall of the average price of footwear in the UK from 2002-07. This demonstrates the importance of lowering costs as Nike no longer have a sufficient competitive advantage in this sense.

A Brief Guide to the Features of APA Format Essay Example

A Brief Guide to the Features of APA Format Essay Example A Brief Guide to the Features of APA Format Essay A Brief Guide to the Features of APA Format Essay APA FORMAT Below is a brief guide to the features of APA format. For source types not listed here, consult a handbook such as Anne Raimes Keys For Writers, available in the Writing Center. Basic Features of APA: In the text of your paper Include the author, year, and page citation for each source At the end of your paper Include a list of all sources used in your paper Alphabetized by authors last name Alphabetized by title if author is unknown Create list on a new page titled References. In text citations, Print sources: Basic Format for a Quotation Critser (2003) noted that despite growing numbers of overweight Americans, many ealth care providers still remain either in ignorance or outright denial about the health danger to the poor and the young (p. 5). Despite growing numbers of overweight Americans, many health care providers still remain either in ignorance or outright denial about the health danger to the poor and the young (Critser, 2003, p. 5). Note: use page numbers ONLY f or direct quotes. f youre paraphrasing, sue Just the author and date. Sources with Two Authors According to Sothern and Gordon (2003), Environmental factors may contribute as much as 80% to the causes of childhood obesity (p. 04). Obese children often engage in less physical activity (Sothern Gordon, 2003, p. 104). Author Unknown Children struggling to control their weight must also struggle with the pressures of television advertising that, on the one hand, encourages the consumption of Junk food and, on the other, celebrates thin celebrities (Television, 2002). You maybe use ch to reference a chapter in a long work such as a text book, or par to indicate paragraph in a work without page numbers. Personal Communication Cite personal communication such as an interview or e mail in your text like so: Smith, personal communication, 4 Sept. 2008). DO NOT list in your References page Works cited in another source: If you cite a work quoted by another source, you MUST cite where you found it, like so: Smith says that using APA format will make you smarter (cited in Jones, 2003). In text citations, electronic formats Author Known Atkinson (2001) found that children who spent at least four hours a day watching TV were less likely to engage in adequate physical activity during the week. Author Unknown The bodys basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is a measure of its at rest energy requirement (Exercise, 2003). Date Unknown Attempts to establish a definitive link between television programming and childrens eating habits have been problematic (Magnus, n. d. ). Reference to an entire Web Site: If you reference an entire web site, give the compete URL in your in text citation. DO NOT list it in the References page: Research on The Mozart Effect has generated an institute with a Web site providing links to research studies ( mindinst. org). References page format List references on a separate page consecutively numbered use hanging indent (indent all but first line arrange alphabetically DO NOT list a reference to an entire web site or e mail communications, but cite them in the text. Books: Single Author Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Book title. Location: Publisher. Reagan, M. D. (1992). Curing the crisis: Options for Americas health care. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Two Authors Cohen, L. G. , Spenciner, L. J. (1994). Assessment of young children. White Plains, NY: Longman. Three to Six Authors Pratkanis, A. R. , Brecker, S. J. , Greenwald, A. G. (1989). Attitude structure and function. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Note: If a book has more than six authors, after giving the sixth authors name and nitial, use et al. (not italicized and with a period after al) to indicate the remaining authors of the book. Periodicals, General Format Author, A. A. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of periodical, volume number, pages. Journal Articles (continuous pagination) Saywitz, K. J. , Mannarino, A. P. , Berliner, L. , Cohen, J. A. (2000). Treatment for sexually abused children and adolescents. American Psychologist, 55, 1040-1049. Journal Article (issue by issue pagination) sexually abused children and adolescents. Psychology 55 (4), 1040-1049. Magazine Articles Henry, W. A. , Ill. (1990, April 9). Beyond the melting pot. Time, 135, 28-31. Newspaper Articles Schwartz, J. (1993, September 30). Obesity affects economic, social status. The Washington Post, pp. A1, A4. Electronic Sources Article from a Database Author, A. A. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), pages. Retrieved month date, year, from Database name. White, B. (2002, July 30). Stocks make more big gains. The Washington Post, pp. A1 . Retrieved August 1, 2002, from NewsBank database. Electronic Newspaper Article Hilts, P. J. (1999, February 16). In forecasting their emotions, most people flunk out. New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2000, from nytimes. com Online Document Author, A. A. (Date of publication). Title of article. Retrieved month date, year, from http://web address Document with Author and Date Murray, J. P. Children and television violence. (1995). Retrieved July 19, 2001, from ksu. edu/humec/kulaw. htm Document with No Author, No Date GVUs 8th WWW user survey. (n. d. ). Retrieved August 8, 2000, from http:// www. cc. gatech. edu/gvu /user_surveys/survey-1997-10/ Begin with the title of the document if there is no author n. d. = no date

Honda Civic EX vs Honda Civic Hybrid Fuel Mileage

Honda Civic EX vs Honda Civic Hybrid Fuel Mileage Here at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels, we field a lot of questions about hybrids, and probably the most common of all is simply, Are they really worth it? Do hybrids really get that much better fuel mileage than regular carsand is it enough to justify their price premium? Well, we always do a number crunch as part of our hybrid reviews, but weve never actually done a real side-by-side comparison, instead relying on EPA mileage estimates of the non-hybrid versus our observed hybrid model fuel mileage to draw conclusions. This works pretty well, but the more I (Scott) thought about it, the more I wanted to do a little street test of my own to see whats what in the real world. So, I needed a car that is offered in both conventional and hybrid drivetrains, and I needed to put them both through the same types of driving conditionsand carefully track all datato get as close as possible to an apples-to-apples comparison. This testorama would give me a good solid no arguments here body of data to unequivocally say X car in hybrid dress performed this way against X car with a regular engine. Having recently completed a test drive of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid (in which I did extensive fuel mileage tracking), I decided that this car and its popular and efficient (and comparably equipped) brother, the Honda Civic EX, would be my guinea pigs. Honda agreed and sent over a beautiful Alabaster Silver 2008 Civic EX sedan, and I commenced to drive. I was pretty confident that Id be able to handily beat the EPA estimates in the EX by simply employing some of my favorite Thrifty-Drive techniquesthe same I used when test driving the Civic Hybrid. Ive been steadily honing these skills over the years and its gotten to the point that I can best the EPAs numbers by 15 percent or more for any given vehicle. I just slow down and drive gently, which ironically enough, gets me there in just about the same amount of time as aggressive yellow-light-running driving does, but at a much better bang-for-the-buck-for-the-minute rate. The Drivetrains Honda Civic EX: My tester EX came outfitted with the standard 140 hp 1.8-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine and optional 5-speed automatic transmission. Its a nice package with plenty of power and great fuel economy numbers, thanks to Hondas thrifty variable valve timing scheme. The EPA gives the EX 25/36/29 city/highway/combined ratings. Honda Civic Hybrid: The hybrid version gets its very own purpose-built drivetrain package consisting of a 110 hp 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor combination that transfers power to the wheels through a CVT transmission. EPA ratings for this package come in at 40/45/42 city/highway/combined. For more info on how this unique drivetrain works, see our 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid test drive and review. The Tests Because of the nature of pure city driving, with its short distances between numerous starts and stops, its difficult to employ Thrifty-Drive techniques and improve on EPA ratings. For this reason, I limited my mileage compares to all-highway and then combined (an assortment of roadways and traffic conditions) situations, and I further divided them by eco-styles and normal styles. I suppose at this point, its important to define what I call normal driving. In short, its aggressive behavior that I observe during my daily travels out on the roads with thousands of other motorists: jack rabbit starts ... not slowing (or worse, accelerating) on highway exit ramps ... speeding to stop signs (and then jamming-on the brakes at the last moment) ... and of course, my favorite shake-my-head-maneuver, constantly jockeying and darting to get ahead of the next guy. The Four Tests and Results All mileage numbers are expressed in miles per gallon: Normal combined jaunts driving like normal motorists described above. EX32.2, Hybrid41.5 Normal highway long freeway runs using no cruise and changing lanes frequently to keep pace with the fastest traffic (usually between 75 and 80 mph). EX36.6, Hybrid49.1 Eco combined everyday trips using the eco-techniques described in Scotts Thrifty-Drive. EX37.4, Hybrid48.7 Eco highway long highway jaunts with cruise set at a steady 61 mph. EX42.3, Hybrid54.7 Interpreting the Results These test results leave little doubt that the Honda Civic (hybrid or no) gets excellent fuel economy. Even when driven hard, I still was able to pretty much beat EPA ratings across-the-board. My experience has usually been that the more fuel-efficient a vehicle is, the less adversely its fuel economy is affected by aggressive driving habits. Conversely, economy cars respond better to eco-driving techniques than their large, less efficient counterparts. While both cars responded well to eco-driving, the EX did a little better in the combined mileage tests, whereas the hybrid aced the highway improvements. What gives here? It seems to me that the engine-only EX is more readily influenced by easy driving/light throttle techniques in combined roadway conditions where the engine could/would be more taxed during frequent acceleration. On the highway, a steady throttle can only do so much. On the other hand, on combined roadways in the hybrid, the electric motor mitigates some of the drivers influence for easing load on the engine (the hybrid system does it automatically). But on the open highway, the combination of the engines cylinder deactivation and steady electric motor assist allows the engine to work with minimal fuel use. So, Is the Hybrid Civic Really Worth It? In most cases, I think so, and under the right conditions, absolutely. Just look at the fuel mileage numbers. The hybrid bested the EX in every category, some by a larger percentage than others. Depending on the types of driving conditions/styles the Civic Hybrid owner would most regularly encounter, pay back time will likely fall within a four to six and a half year period of ownership. (Based upon $3055 hybrid price premium, $525 hybrid tax credit *ends 12/08*, 15,000 miles/year travel and gasoline $3.95/gallon).

Psychological Factors of Crime and Constitutional Criminal Procedure Thesis

Psychological Factors of Crime and Constitutional Criminal Procedure - Thesis Example Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud talks about the â€Å"psychoanalytic theory†. According to this theory, the human mind in its natural stage does not harbour any sort of crime or hatred towards the community or its fellow beings. However, once the human being starts interacting with the society do the traits develop of negativity and crime. While the person interacts with people around him, he starts altering his mind and behaviour according to the developments taking place within the society. This can have a huge impact on the behavioural aspects of the human beings. The theory talks about the stage from an individual starts to give birth to negative traits about humanity. This happens if the person is outward in his emotions and tends to dislike and be disinterested with his life. Once he starts to get disinterested in the role of his life according to the societal needs, there is a great chance that he may start questioning the very reason for a society to exist. Once al l these questions brew in his mind, it all gives birth to a criminal mind, which accompanied by outward nature of emotional occurrence could lead to killings and other aspects of crime. So on one hand we see that human behaviour is always positive, but on the other hand we find that there are instances and situations where the negativity within the human mind takes over the conscious framework of happiness ad goodness for fellow beings, due to the nature of the society that the man starts to develop hatred for the same. It is extremely tough for minds which are weak in their consciousness to hold them tolerant for all the negativity surrounding their habitat. At the end of the day a lot of people do give in to the unfortunates of the society, and the fact that they are not able to defeat that negativity in their minds leads to crime in the society, whereby they take weapons and other means of mass destructions to eke out this negativity somehow form their system. One of the main rea sons of crime is the fact that the person who has developed a criminal mind has not been able to throw out the frustrations and negativity which has been living in his mind out of his system. Frustrated with life and other aspects of the society, he tries to find out means to throw away this frustration. But unfortunately he is not able to. Once he realizes that it is not going anywhere for him, and the fact that society seems to be largely responsible for his growing frustration and negativity, he decides that the best way to throw away such frustration is to give the negativity back to the people of the society, And this is where the phenomenon of crime starts to develop. A person takes upto crime due to a lot of sociological factors which get embedded into psychological factors. Society has been very much responsible for the derailment of humanity and the development of crime. The factor of crime always remains a negative factor as no one individual has been attracted to commit a crime in the first place. However, social inequalities and differences which have been casted upon the people have led to the ever growing situation of crime across different societies. Let us take an example of a man who has been going through a rough patch. He has been side-lined in his profession and does not have any hope to survive in his life. On top of that, his house is under stress from the landlord who

The Divorcee (1930) and Its Challenges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Divorcee (1930) and Its Challenges - Essay Example A husband has a brief extra marital affair and considers it nothing. He asks his wife for forgiveness but his wife, in order to make him realize the sensitivity of the issue, has an affair with her husband’s friend and then the husband realizes that it must mean something. The film starts with a party in New York with a number of social elite. Jerry Bernard, played by Norma Shearer, is an informal leader of the group who breaks the news of her engagement with Ted Martin, played by Chester Morris, at the party. Paul, played by Conrad Negel, is in love with Jerry and he is disappointed by the news of Jerry’s engagement with Ted. Paul gets drunk at the party and on his way home he gets into an accident and causes facial disfigurement to Dorothy, played by Helen Johnson, who was a passenger in the car. Paul gets remorseful and decides to marry Dorothy himself. On the day Paul decides to marry Dorothy in a hospital bedside ceremony, Jerry and Ted also get married and have a lavish wedding ceremony. Years pass and Ted and Jerry lead a happy married life. On the third anniversary of their marriage, Ted is compelled to go out of town for a meeting in Chicago. The friends of Ted and Jerry take them out for a party and they bring another woman named Janice Meredith, played by Mary Doran, with them. The fact that Janice accompanies them upsets Ted but they go anyway. Janice corners Ted in the kitchen and here it is disclosed that Ted and Janice had a brief affair a short time earlier. Jerry finds Ted and Janice in the kitchen with Janice’s arms around Ted. A short time later Ted admits to his wife that he had a brief affair with Janice. He justifies his position by saying that he had been drunk and the affair was nothing but an unfortunate incident. After Ted leaves for Chicago, Jerry feels upset because of the disclosure of Ted’s brief affair. To cheer her up, Don played by Robert Montgomery, Ted’s best friend takes Jerry out. Don flirt s with Jerry and Jerry responds. Ted returns from his trip a week later and he is filled with remorse. He asks for Jerry’s forgiveness and justifies his position by saying that the affair meant nothing. They had almost reconciled their differences when Jerry admits that she had balanced their accounts when Ted was away for the trip. She, similar to Ted, justifies her position by saying that her short lived affair meant nothing and it too should be overlooked. Jerry expects Ted to be reasonable and treat her affair as he treats his own but Ted refuses to forgive her. Jerry becomes outraged at Ted’s behavior and after arguing, both of them decide to divorce. Both of them regret the break up but due to their stubbornness, do not reconcile. Jerry has a series of affairs afterwards and years pass. Ted moves to Paris due to his job. Paul encounters Jerry in train while she was in the company of Ivan. Paul knocks Ivan out when he mistreats Jerry. Paul tells Jerry that he want s to marry her and he can even dump his wife for her. While Jerry considers Paul’s proposal, she is visited by Dorothy who asks her not to destroy her marriage. Jerry then renounces Paul’s proposal and moves to Paris. She hopes to find Ted and visits various nightclubs for that purpose. Finally she finds Ted and he is surprised to see her in Paris. Ted initially thinks that Jerry is there for her honeymoon with Paul but she says that Ted is her only read husband. At this point they finally reconcile their

Application of Systems Theory in Social Work

Application of Systems Theory in Social Work Systems in Practice Introduction The United Kingdom Children Act 1989 (HMSO, 1989) sets forth all childcare law as such relates to children that are being accommodated by a Local Authority. At the core of the Children Act are the beliefs that children are served best when they are in their own homes (Devon County Council, 2007a). Additionally, the core beliefs of the Act are that the child’s welfare is of the utmost importance, that the child’s parents should stay involved in any and all legal proceedings concerning them, and that such a course of action be avoided if possible (Devon County Council, 2007a). It, the Act, also holds that child welfare is to be promoted, and that children should stay within their families unless unavoidable (Devon County Council, 2007a). Lastly the needs of the child taking into account factors such as race, religion, culture as well as language represent critical facets. In those instances when a child comes under the care of a local authority, it is the responsibility o f the local authority to see to the needs of children in these instances (Devon County Council, 2007b). The foregoing represents important background considerations with regard to the foster care, and the principles underlying such. These basics represent the foundations of any fostering care, placement, and related applications. This examination shall review a case study on social work placement to delve into the manner in which the application of theory, and ideas as they relate to group work on social work practice. Hammond (2003, p. xi) indicates that the â€Å"concept of systems is a theoretical framework in the physical sciences, the life sciences, and the social sciences†. The systems theory is generally acknowledged to have begun with four people, â€Å"Bertalanffy, Boulding, Gerard, and Rapoport, who met in 1954 at the Stanford Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences† (Hammond, 2003, p. xiii). They founded the Society for General Systems Research, which has since become the International Society for the Systems Sciences (International Society for the Systems Sciences , 2007). The systems theory is â€Å" the transdisciplinary study of the abstract organization of phenomena†, in a context that is â€Å"independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale of existence† (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007). The systems theory â€Å"investigates both the principles common to all complex entities† as well as â€Å"models which can be u sed to describe them† (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007). In the context of social work, the systems theory, in its broadest sense, represents the interdisciplinary study concerning human life, along with social organization as represented by systems (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007). The complexity, yet simiplicity of what the systems theory is, is represented by the following explanantion by Hammond (2003. p. 32) â€Å"Although developments in engineering and management fields are highlighted in the technocratic approach to systems, the emergence of organismic conceptions in biology, psychology, and sociology during the early twentieth century was more important for the evolution of general systems thought†. She continues â€Å" Of course, biological concepts were interpreted in varying ways within different currents of systems thought, and were often appropriated to reinforce and legitimize managerial applications of systems concepts† (Hammond, 2003, p. 32). Ludwig von Beralanffy (1968, p. xxiii), provides his description of systems theory as â€Å"The humanistic concern of general system theory as I understand it makes a difference to mechanistically oriented system theorists speaking solely in terms of mathematics, feedback and technology, and so giving rise to the fear that system theory is indeed the ultimate step towards mechanization and devaluation of man and towards technocratic society†. The concept, while rather complex, does have a sense of simpliticity in that systems theory â€Å"really refers to â€Å"a way of thinking about† or â€Å"an approach to studying† complex systems† (Hammond, 2003. p. 104). Harris (2002, p. 2) advises that von Beralanffy’s approach was â€Å"a more organismic approach to the study of complex systems, objecting to the narrow reductionism of classical science†. The systems theory, in terms of humans and the social sciences, as expressed by Harris (2002, p. 10) has â€Å"something to offer in the articulation and implementation of a more sustaining and sustainable vision of humanitys future.† In terms of social work, Harris (2002, p. 4) states, â€Å"Within this framework, the welfare state has provided the primary vehicle for the mediation of social work†. Harris (2002, p. 4) continues, â€Å"The institutional and organisational processes of the welfare state have been the source of social work’s legal and moral authority and have constituted the material conditions for its practice.† Pinderhughes (1997, p. 20) tells us that â€Å"Training practitioners for competence with diverse populations is high on the list of corrective initiatives to address †¦ inadequacies† in social work practice†. Harris (2002, p. 4) indicates that social policy is influenced by social workers who â€Å"implement legislation on behalf of the state†, thus exercising considerable influence in their roles as professionals. Importantly, Harris (2002, p. 4) points out â€Å"The law sets out the rights, duties and responsibilities of social workers, on t he one hand, and of service users, on the other, in those socially problematic areas which have been accorded official recognition. The law not only defines the ends of social work, but constitutes the source of social workers’ authority for the means by which they intervene in service users’ lives in the pursuit of statutory duties†. Johnson (1972, p. 77) interprets the preceding by stating that social work is not mediated by its context, rather, it is a mediated professions whereby the state decides the clientele as well as what should be provided on their behalf. Harris (1999, pp. 915-937) tells us that social work represents the â€Å"operational embodiment of the welfare state’s intervention in individual citizens’ lives†. In understanding the context of social work in the United Kingdom, Briggs (1961, p. 228) defines the welfare state a â€Å"state in which organised power is deliberately used†¦to modify the play of market forces†¦first, by guaranteeing individuals and families a minimum income irrespective of the market value of their work or their property; second, by narrowing the extent of insecurity by enabling individuals and families to meet certain ‘ social contingencies’, for example, sickness, old age and unemployment which lead otherwise to individual and family crises; and third, by ensuring that all citizens without distinction of status or class are offered the best standard available in relation to a certain agreed range of social services†. The preceding is important in und erstanding the forces behind social work and how such impacts upon its application, usage and context on lives, as well as the conscious and unconscious view that the public has. In helping to shape this picture further, Marshall’s (1963, p. 74) helps to color the palette further in explaining that the social element means â€Å"the whole range from the right to a modicum of economic welfare and security to the right to share to the full in the social heritage and to live the life of a civilised being according to the standards prevailing in the society† He continues that â€Å"The institutions most closely connected with it are the educational system and the social services† (Marshall, 1963, p. 74) In fact, social work plays an important part in linking the state to its populace as it represents the physical human link between government and what it does for the people that can be seen, felt and touched. Or in other words, used! State functions such as roads, infrastructure, sustainable communities, parks, airports, laws, police, and all of the others services that the state provides are there in a physical sense, such as roads, etc, or there for instances of danger, such as the police and armed forces. Social work is a helping, touchy arm of the state that reaches us in the same manner as health services. Wootton (1959, p. 298-299) offers a description in stating that â€Å"The social worker who does for the run of ordinary people what confidential secretaries and assistants do for the favoured few is putting a genuine professional skill at the disposal of those who may properly be called her clients and she is as essential to the functioning of a welfare state as is lubrication to the running of an engine. Without her the machinery would seize up†. Marshall (1975, p. 205) illustrates the preceding by referring to social workers as the mechanics that apply â€Å"their expertise to the lubrication of the welfare state engine were professionals using their expertise in the delivery of social services†. The government, along with social work identify the segment of the population that requires assistance and thus through budgeting and policy, allocates the resources to meet those needs (Alaszewski and Manthorpe, 1990, p. 237). Interestingly, as the areas of accepted social work practice have come to be seen as the norm, and injustice was made less tolerable, historically, new services were thus clamoured for to feel other needs thus explaining the growing nature of the state and social care (Harris, 2002, p. 13) Gertrude Wilson is generally acknowledged as being a key individual in the development of group work (Smith, 2004). Her first book â€Å"Case Work and Group Work† put forth the integrated approach to social work practice which is based in the theory that personal problems stem from both internal and external sources, and thus must be investigated and examined in tandem (Smith, 2004). Her definition of group work states that 1) it is developmental, in that it provides â€Å"for normal social growth, 2) is â€Å"protective or corrective, representing that it can â€Å"be offered to people without groups†, 3) and that it is â€Å"instrumental† in terms of â€Å"achieving socially desirable ends† (Smith, 2004). The last facet entails the understanding of each member’s personalities, the influence of the social worker in terms of their interaction on the group, and the process of participation (Smith, 2004). A key facet of this process represents the c apability to â€Å"assist participants in dealing with conflict and in accepting ‘outsiders’† (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). She points to the preceding as essential in making the group work relationship become reciprocal (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). It is reciprocity that represents a key element in the process as it sets the foundation for give and take as well as fosters trust, cohesion within the group and this can thus be transferred to the outside world (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). Trecker (1948, p. 7) advises, â€Å"social group work represents â€Å"one method on the profession of social work†. He indicates that â€Å"social case work and community organization work† represent the other methods†. Trecker (1948, p. 7) believes that a definition of social group work is easier to describe than define. He sees it as a method that is comprised of â€Å"an orderly, systematic, planned way of working with people in groups† (Trecker, 1948 pp. 7-8). Trecker goes on to add that the â€Å"method is a conscious procedure, a designed means of achieving a goal† (1948, pp. 8). Additionally, he adds that it is â€Å"a method is a way of doing something, but underneath the doing we always discover an integrated arrangement of knowledge, understanding and principles.† (Trecker, 1948 pp. 8). Important to the understanding of group work in the context of social work placement is the family. Hartman and Laird (1983, p. 4) help to provide perspective in stating, â€Å"Human beings can be understood and helped only in the context of the intimate and powerful human systems of which they are a part, of which the family is one of the most important†. Smith (1995, p. 7) elaborates in stating, â€Å"there is no single, correct definition of family†¦. Rather, there are multiple definitions derived from particular theoretical perspectives.† She adds, â€Å"No one theory could satisfactorily represent the truth, but the many ways we look at families can help us to better understand them† (Smith, 1995, p. 7). Lastly, we shall take a look at Hartman and Laird (1983, p. 30), who tell us: â€Å"A family becomes a family when two or more individuals have decided they are a family, that in the intimate, here-and-now environment in which they gather, there is a sharing of emotional needs for closeness, of living space which is deemed â€Å"home,† and of those roles and tasks necessary for meeting the biological, social and psychological requirements of the individuals involved.† The preceding has been included to aid in rounding out the important external as well as internal elements that are factors in a case study concerning social work placement. A Study One of the most important, delicate, and critical functions carried on by social work is the placement of children in foster homes. As can be imagined, it represents an important as well as confidential process for the child as well as the placement team engaged in the process. Owing to that confidentiality, direct case files are not available, only synopsis of placement studies entailing the methodologies employed. Placement stories entail descriptions of external variables as indicated by basic placement overviews, but not the substance. The Bracknell Forest Borough Council (2005) provided an equitable resource in that it provides an outline of the procedures, and practice guidelines concerning foster placement arrangements made under private fostering regulations. Under the new regulations governing the placement of children, local authorities must be satisfied concerning the suitable nature of any proposed arrangement (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). If the foregoing is not the case, then said local authority must exercise its powers ether prohibit and or impose requirements prior to the child being fostered, along with any and all needed safeguards. In understanding the nuances of social work placement, certain descriptions and definitions of a few terms will aid in the understanding of the process. A privately fostered child represents any child under the age of 16 years of age, 18 if disabled, that is â€Å"cared for and accommodated for 28 consecutive days† or longer by someone other that the child’s parent, relative or someone provided with parental responsibility as provided by the parent for said instance (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). The carers responsibility entails an individual â€Å"who does not have parental responsibility for a particular child†, however does have care of the child (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). The definition indicates that the carer â€Å"may do what is reasonable† in terms of any, and all circumstances to safeguard, and or promote the welfare of that child (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). In terms of the duties of the local authority, wh ich represents an extremely important facet in the placement of a child, said local authority has a number of important duties to fulfill. These entail factors such as 1) publise advise and information, 2) ensure compliance with regulations, 3) carry out proper checks and visits, 4) ensure children under care is safeguarded in accordance to regulations, 5) ensure timely officer visits, 6) ensure visited children are seen alone and interviewed, 7) investigate al complaints, 8) inform parents or other authorized individuals of the child’s welfare, 9) ensure authority satisfaction with foster placement, 10) monitor compliance, 11) take appropriate action(s), 12) annual evaluations sent to Director of Children’s Services on placements and outcomes (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). The family placement social worker has the following responsibilities. First, they conduct the initial suitability evaluation of the proposed foster carers as well as all other household members (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). Next, the social work conducts an evaluation of the accommodations, and neighbourhood environment, and forms a close liaison with the social worker of the child concerning placement suitability and the potential of the placement in meeting the needs of the child as well as the likelihood of furthering the child’s welfare (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). With the preceding handled, the social worker then makes recommendations concerning the suitability of a meeting with all parties (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). If the foregoing steps have all concluded positively, the social worker’s ongoing responsibilities thus entail providing support, as well as assistance to the carer and others as appropriate and or necessary (B racknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). The preceding board steps represent the outline of the procedures in child placement. In a actual case, the steps as well as details are more defined. In an actual placement, the fieldwork staff conducts contacts with the parent, if such is the case, and the proposed foster carers (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). After all the relevant steps under the preceding have been seen to, the assessment is forwarded to the placement social worker, provided the foregoing has met requirements, and the placement process begins. The summary placement outline above brought into the equation the concept of social work from its broader perspective as brought forth by Harris (2002, p. 4) where he indicates that social policy is influenced by social workers who â€Å"implement legislation on behalf of the state†, thus exercising considerable influence in their roles as professionals†. The statement continues with â€Å"The law sets out the rights, duties and responsibilities of social workers, on the one hand, and of service users, on the other, in those socially problematic areas which have been accorded official recognition† (Harris, 2002, p.4). The preceding refers to the rules, procedures and requirements that must be adhered to by the placement agency, social workers and all other involved in the process. The aspect of group work is evident throughout the entire process, even before it begins. The local authority, placement agency, field workers, placement social worker, and child social worker all are engaged under the same regulated procedural network, even if no cases, and or placements are being handled. The regulations call for consistent, and constant monitoring of outstanding placement, thus requiring and causing the varied teams, and individuals to maintain contact. That ongoing working relationship represents the group work theory in practice and application. Trecker (1948, p. 7) described group work as â€Å"an orderly, systematic, planned way of working with people in groups†. To the preceding Trecker (1948, p. 8) added the â€Å"method is a conscious procedure, a designed means of achieving a goal†. McDermoot (2002, p. 3) adds to the foregoing in stating â€Å"Social workers, psychologists, community workers, youth workers and other service providers in the human services field spend much of their time working with groups—as staff members, as colleagues—using groups as intervention strategies†. The initial contact stage starts this collative group work process in the placement environment. The family placement social worker meets with the field social worker and discusses the proposed placement, obtaining a copy of the reports (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). The trust and competence issues are strong in that each step in the process relies heavily on the steps that preceded it. As a result, the systems theory represents the underpinning that binds the entire process. It also represents the underlying framework that constitutes how the rules, regulations and processes were devised and set up, as well as their ongoing modification as information, expertise and experience warrants. To review, the systems theory â€Å"investigates both the principles common to all complex entities† as well as â€Å" models which can be used to describe them† (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007). Ludwig von Beralanffy explains that an important element of the systems theory â€Å"really refers to â€Å"a way of thinking about† (Hammond, 2003. p. 104). The systems theory’s interdisciplinary study concerning human life, along with social organization as represented by systems (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007) represents the underpinning via which the described rules, procedures, regulations, follow up, monitoring, interview, research, and evaluation processes take place. The intial contacts as well as checks conducted by the placement social worker include interdepartmental checks on the proposed carer as well as information gleaned in the initial and follow up meetings and interviews (Bracknell Forest Borough Council, 2005). All of these steps as well as the ones that follow are elements of the systems theory, foundations of social work and group theory. If one steps back from the process and reviews the overall steps again, the relevance of the systems theory begins to take shape. It, the systems theory is â€Å" the transdisciplinary study of the abstract organization of phenomena†, in a context that is â€Å"independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale of existence† (Principia Cybernetica Web, 2007). The steps in the active procedure do take place in a temporal time frame. However, the functioning of the system of rules, regulations and procedures is always active, functioning and waiting to be utilized whether there is something engaging it or not. In this context, the foregoing precepts underpinning the systems theory gains clarity. McDermott (2002, p. 14) aids in bringing the group work concept into the preceding placement situation in her discussion of reciprocity. She states that it is reciprocity that represents a key element in the process as it sets the foundation for give and take as well as fosters trust, and cohesion within the group and this can thus be transferred to the outside world (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). The foregoing aptly describes the internal working mechanism of the group which at the investigation stage centers upon the placement social worker, and later pulls in the child’s social worker to complete the process. This continues with the evaluation of suitability concerning the carers as well as other family and household members. Through the utilization of the systems theory, all contingencies are evaluated and considered as a part of the whole, and extended whole. In reviewing the process in terms of the lessons learned, and potential for different application(s) in the future, is a prospect of evolution. Regardless of how correctly the system seems from the review of the procedural steps, there is always room for improvement as a result of the human factor, group work, systems theory and social work contexts. The potential for human error looms as the biggest failing point in that the entire procedural methodology is based, dependent and reliant upon human input, decisions, evaluation and observations. The central component in the process the placement social worker who makes the final determination based upon the salient inputs from all other quarters. And while it is true that the field work social worker as well as the child social worker could potential taint the input and results, it is the placement social worker that sorts and arrives at the determination. Thus, as the potential weak segment within the process, a phased step review whe reby a second placement social worker, or supervisor briefed at every turn, periodically steps in at any stage in the live process and makes observations, suggestions, and or calls for additional information to shore up the potential for error, and or critical factors needing closer attention, and or review. In addition, computer modeling of the effectiveness of the group members as an evaluation projection, would serve to alert the supervisory personnel to the potential for weak points in one of the tam member profile as a signal for either an additional check, and or review. Conclusion The seemingly distant facets of systems theory, group work, and social work as a cohesive aspect of placement requires the long view in order to see the fit of these elements up close. At the heart of these theoretical and practical applications is a child, which is and remains the focus of these aspects. Thus, with the well being and welfare of a vulnerable human being at stake, the processes, systems, regulations, rules and procedures can never be too precise, careful or correct, as the cost of error is incalculable. McDermott (2002, p. 1) says, â€Å"You have to have done a bit (of group work) yourself to understand the process.† In terms of the context of this examination, McDermoot (2002, p. 3) advises that â€Å"Social workers, psychologists, community workers, youth workers and other service providers in the human services field spend much of their time working with groups—as staff members, as colleagues—using groups as intervention strategies†. She adds, â€Å"group work is about building bonds between people which depend on the establishment of trusting relationships† (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). She further elaborates, â€Å"It is also about helping to forge connections between people who may be different or unlike one another. This latter activity—finding common ground across differences—is the more difficult, and it is here that group workers and participants require knowledge and skills† (McDermott, 2002, p. 14). The foregoing summarizes the interlinked aspects of the process that call for increased cohesion as well as improvement through modification, interpersonal relationships and skills, as well as understanding that the potential for error always exists, and can hide itself anywhere in the process. With that consideration uppermost in the minds of the participants, the occurrence is less likely to happen. Bibliography Alaszewski, A. and Manthorpe, J. (1990) Literature review: the New Right and the professions. Vol. 20. British Journal of Social Work Bracknell Forest Borough Council (2005) Private Fostering: Policy, Procedures Practice Guidance. Retrieved on 13 May 2007 from http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ Briggs, A. (1961) The welfare state in historical perspective. Vol. 2. No. 2. European Journal of Sociology Devon County Council (2007a) The Children Act 1989. Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/cyps/fostering/foster_carer-2/foster-care-handbook/fos-law-relat-to-child/fos-law-relat-to-child2.htm Devon County Council (2007b) The Local Authority Fostering Service. Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/cyps/fostering/foster_carer-2/foster-care-handbook/fostering-service.htm Hammond, D. (2003) The Science of Synthesis: Exploring the Social Implications of General Systems Theory. University Press of Colorado, Boulder, Co., United States Harris, J. (1999) State social work and social citizenship. Vol. 5. British Journal of Social Work, Harris, J. (2002) The Social Work Business. Routledge, Boulder, Co., United States Hartman, A., Laird, J. (1983) Family-Centered Social Work Practice. Free Press, New York, United States HMSO (1989) Children Act 1989. Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1989/Ukpga_19890041_en_1.htm International Society for the Systems Sciences (2007) Home Page. Retrieved on 13 May 2007 from http://www.isss.org/ Johnson, T.J. (1972) Professions and Power. London: Macmillan. Ludwig von Bertalanffy, (1952) General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. George Braziller, New York, United States Marshall, T.H. (1963) Citizenship and social class. Heinemann, London, United Kingdom Marshall, T.H. (1975) Social Policy in the Twentieth Century. Hutchinson, London, United Kingdom McDermott, F. (2002) Inside Group Work: A Guide to Reflective Practice. Allen Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales Principia Cybernetica Web (2007) What is Systems Theory? Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SYSTHEOR.html Pinderhughes, E. (1997) Developing diversity competence in child welfare and permanency planning. In G. R. Anderson, A. S. Ryan, and B. R. Leashore. The Challenge of Permanency Planning in a Multicultural Society. Haworth, New York, United States Smith, S. (1995) Family theory and multicultural family studies. In Goldsby, B., Smith, S. Families in Multicultural Perspective. Guilford Press, New York, United States Smith, M. (2004) Gertrude Wilson and social group work. Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/wilson.htm Trecker, H. (1948) Social Group Work: Principles and Practices. Woman’s Press, New York, United States Wootton, B. (1959) Social Science and Social Pathology. Allen Unwin, London, United Kingdom

KFC Culture Essay

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