Building Capacity for Marketing Innovation Essay

Building Capacity for Marketing Innovation - Essay Example It is an established phenomenon that marketers should only concentrate on what is expressively demanded by consumers so as to enhance the firm's profitability. However, the marketing concept does not only require the marketers to evaluate and satisfy the expressed demands of individuals but also dig into the needs that are rarely expressed. The capability for marketing innovation depends upon several internal and external attributes of an organisation. In Chinese society, the willingness and capability of firms to innovate in more difficult because of the differences in external economic and social environment as compared to those of market economies. This paper provides an insight into the notion of innovation in the context of marketing concept. It presents a study into the capability building for marketing innovation in the companies. The paper also sheds light on the concept of capability building for marketing innovation in the context of Chinese market. Innovation is a concept highly misconceived in the context of marketing. Innovation is said to be the most crucial responsibility of companies operating in the competitive environment of 21st century. The concept of innovation encompasses the notion of doing something for the first time or introducing a product into the market that is outright new to the firm as well as the consumers. In the context of marketing, it refers to the marketers' ability to envision new ideas, give it a form of strategy, introduce it to the market and make consumers love it. Innovation is strictly important in the age of global competition where firms are continuously striving to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. A firm does not necessarily have to bring about a drastic change in the organization in order to be 'innovative.' According to Weerawardena, "innovativeness refers to a corporate environment that promotes and supports novel ideas, experimentation and creative processes that may lead to ne w products, techniques or technologies." (2003, p. 18) It all lies in the culture of an organization to encourage people to bring new ideas and promote the willingness for innovation. Innovation is something evidently related with the internal and external environment of any firm. A firm in order to be successful and be able to compete in the market needs to adapt with the environment and any changes taking place in the market. Carrying out new ideas successfully in the business either of manufacturing or services concern shows the innovation. One must know about the trends and changes that have come into the market during the period to innovate accordingly as they both go parallel to each other. (Calantone, Cavusgil and. Zhao, 2002). Innovation is about encouraging new ideas that are to be implemented to the business to compete in the market i.e. innovation of product, business structure, services etc. In the context of marketing concept, innovation primarily lies in coming up with offerings that have never been introduced before to consumer markers. It is about an offering which bears the capacity to stimulate the unexpressed demands of consumers. The core concept of marketing is highly misunderstood to be against the notion of innovation. Marketing does not create barriers in the way of innovation;

Meanings of Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Meanings of Concepts - Essay Example In other words these are dependent on the independent variable and the values are considerably influenced by it. 8. Validity: It refers to the extent to which a study precisely represents the definite concept that the researcher is trying to measure. Validity is concerned with the studys success at measuring a particular aspect that the researcher is trying study. 11. Data collection: Researchers collect information regarding various aspects related to the study and the data that is collected contributes to the finding or the final outcome. In other words it is the activity of accumulating primary data records for a given set of observations. 12. Unit of analysis: A statistical unit is the unit of study or size for which data are collected or derived. The selection of units of analysis accurately captures the characteristics of the larger population (uchicago.edu). 13. Population: A population refers to a set of variables collected or data collected for the complete set of objects of analysis. For example, the students in a class, the collection of votes (uchicago.edu). 15. Representativeness: â€Å"It is the desirable properties of a sample which refers to the selection of units of analysis that precisely detain the characteristics of the larger population† (uchicago.edu). 16. Random sample: â€Å"A random sample is one selected by a method connecting a random component. Random sampling can also consign to taking numerous independent observations from the same probability distribution, without involving any real population†. 17. Discrete variable: â€Å"A discrete variable is one that will not take on all values within the limits of the variable†. For instance, responses to a three point rating scale can only take on the values 1, 2 and 3 and not the value 1.5 or 1.2. 19. Continuous variable: â€Å"A continuous variable is one for which, within the limits

Human learning and survival Essay Example for Free

Human learning and survival Essay There is a common belief that the ability to learn is what makes human survival possible. I believe that survival is not based solely on learning. Human survival especially in times of vast environmental change is the result of a combination of learning, logic, reasoning and subsequent application of knowledge. The thing that sets humankind apart from other living things is intellect, which according to the dictionary is the ability to learn and reason. Learning is simply the ability of animals (humans included) to acquire and retain new information. Whenever we try to learn a new dance step, learn a new language or simply remember the names of people we meet, we in fact use our learning faculties. So do animals when they figure out that scrounging around in garbage cans can reward them with food. Darwinian theory proposes the idea of evolution wherein living things adjust biologically, mentally and physiologically to environmental conditions and demands. When the concept of survival of the fittest and natural selection is discussed, it pertains to animals that are not just physically fit but mentally as well (Arrizza). In fact most biologists and anthropologists support this thinking by citing the example of how humans have always depended on their wits in order to survive. More often than not, it is the more dull-witted ones who perish even before they have given birth to offspring, which probably is a good thing for succeeding generations (Thorndike, 1931, p. 184). It was stunningly simple. Nature does what animal breeders do, but gradually, and over longer periods of time. In a species, those individuals who are best adapted in their hereditary endowment will succeed, and survive, better than their fellows. That is the struggle for existence. Those successful individuals will leave more offspring, and this will move the mode, the central tendency of the species, in their direction. Following generations will continue to undergo selection for still better adaptation: running, swimming, seeing, hiding, chewing, or all together. (Howells, 1993, p. 6) Supposing this theory was correct however, it would imply that the weak or learning challenged humans would have been weeded out a long time ago. The thing is that in todays times, learning challenged humans still exist and even thrive. There are some quarters that may opine that intelligence and the development of skill are products of mental evolution. Evolution refers to progress to something more functional, advanced and suited to the current environment (Human Evolution). The fashioning and use of primitive tools are just a few hallmarks of how human intelligence has evolved and applied learning into something that helped their survival. For all practical purposes, learning is often seen as an attempt to create a memory or store information that lasts as it is invariably linked with memory. Dr. Eric R. Kandle, vice chairman of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives sums it as: Learning is how you acquire new information about the world, and memory is how you store that information over time (What is learning) Simply put, it is just the accumulation of facts and information. At this point it is important to point out the difference between learning and memory. Kandle points out that not all learning can get stored into long term memory. Such is the case of things a person learned in school. Unless these lessons are used in day to day life, many will have trouble remembering them some years after. Kandle adds that There is no memory without learning, but there is learning without memory. (What is learning) True learning cannot exist without memory but Thorndike (1911) scorns the idea that human learning is the same as real human intellect. He states that learning alone does not include the more complex processes of reasoning or inference. No real thought is given to the relationship and causality of things, neither is there an appreciation of the progress the application of learning is causing. He further posits that learning is based solely on factors that are present in the environment. It is human intellect that makes it possible for humans to think and develop further learning outside the box or beyond what are present in his environment. Rychlak (1994) supports this contention with his own theory of Logic Learning. Rychlak believes that learning is an inherent quality in both humans and animals alike. Humans however possess the power and capability of logic that enables them to make sense and assign purpose and function to information that is learned. (p. 35) Learning is not limited to humans. Every living organism has the capability to learn. It has been proven that animals including dogs, cats and even bees have information and skill acquiring capabilities. While most animal characteristics are arguably innate or instinctive like a newborn baby or puppys nipple searching and sucking reflex, many later skills are learned. What sets people apart is rather not limited to the capacity to learn and store information but rather in the processing of this information afterwards and figuring out what to do with it. Animal learning is mostly based on impulses and instinct. There are three different ways by which organisms learn: by trial and error, by observation and imitation, and by instruction. (Campbell, 1998, p. 39) Trial and error is by far the most common method of learning among living organisms. An example of this is when a mouse tries to figure its way out of a puzzle by trying out first one path, then another until it hits upon the correct path to follow. Observation and imitation is illustrated by how the young of animals and humans alike acquire learning by watching and imitating the actions of their parents. This is most commonly the basis of the development of behavioral patterns and actions. Finally, and what is arguably the method unique to humans is the method of instruction through language. Why is it unique? Instruction needs conscious thought and full intention of teaching. What is more is that instruction is a big factor in the propagation of a culture yet the topics and methods of instruction are also largely dependent on culture (p. 40). Language is also another important and distinctive part of both human culture, instruction and in effect, human learning (Alland, 1973, p. 209). Using language in instruction speeds up the learning process thereby allowing for more potential information to be learned and assimilated. Instructions and responses are direct and accurate. In the same way, a shared language serves both as a unifying element of culture and shared experience between individuals. Learning and Adaptation Enough mention has been made of adaptation with regard to human survival†¦what is adaptation? Adaptation is lexically defined as an adjustment to conditions present within an environment or a reaction to a persistent and present stimulus. It allows an organism to adapt or change components or behaviors within itself to match the demands of its environment. Survival is an organisms ability to exist and propagate in relation to its surroundings and environments. Is learning the key to adaptation and in effect human survival? No. But it is one of the fundamental and major contributors to it. Like most living organisms, humans have physical limitations that are challenged by natural elements and processes such as climate, hunger and other environmental conditions. Unlike other animals however, humans are relatively less sensitive and attuned to environmental changes (Piantadosi, 2003, p. 1). It is at this point that the human ability to learn, reason and compare their living conditions and determine problems that may exist and threaten their survival. Like people in modern days, primitive men had their environment with its own accompanying problems. If modern people today are challenged by more high tech issues like traffic, work, and finances, our primitive ancestors had to figure out ways of keeping warm in the winter and putting food on the table (or rock). There were challenges in how to hunt and capture prey effectively as well as make sure that they do not become prey to carnivorous predators of their time. From plain materials and tools fashioned with flint and animal bone, primitive humans graduated to working with copper which was more malleable yet as tough as stone, and then to the much stronger bronze which was formed by melting copper with tin and finally, iron (Hartman, 1996). Supporters of learning as the keystone of survival wold point this out as a way by which learning improved human existence. But basing on definitions alone, learning meant that they simply realized that stone is not so easy to work with, copper is malleable but pretty weak, and bronze and iron are harder metals. It is logic and reasoning that made it possible for them to realize that 1. ) there are problems with the materials they are using, 2. ) they need to find a better solution to their requirements, hence the search and formulation of copper and bronze. Without logic and reasoning people then would have simply stopped at knowing. One may look at this the same way as the differentiation between science and technology. Science is that wide and impressive body of knowledge which will remain meaningless unless applied and utilized in technology.

Can Students Study Better Using A Tablet?

Can Students Study Better Using A Tablet? Can Students Study Better Using Digital Textbooks on a Tablet Than They Can By Using Books, Pens and Paper Nowadays young starts were easily adopting to the new technologies and implementing them in education, similarly do the students can studying better using digital textbooks on a tablets rather than using traditional method of reading textbooks, well in my opinion students has to adopt to the digital textbooks because it is very flexible and has many advantages like compact, take very less place to store and no wear and tears and so on where this all helps the students to be smart in the real world. Many people says that many of students were very much comfortable with the hard copies in my sense this is because eBooks may not be accessible in their places. There is absolutely no doubt the digital textbooks are cheaper. Students at the Stepinac college paid $700 for textbooks previously which year only $150 for having access to the digital library (by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso september 2013). Even Students are very attached to their mobile phones and tablets but they have not been enamoured to digital books even though the cost is low, since they are very much habituated to hard copies of text books. This method indirectly effects the environment. This results in deforestation and pollution. Although students in college today are very attached to their cellular devices, they have not really been enamoured associated with e-books. In 2010, digital books accounted for 3 percent associated with textbooks sales using the National Association associated with College Stores (By Bertha Coombs, CNBC.com-published on June 2011). Analysts say its because until now e-textbooks happen to be little more bit more than PDF replicates of physical textbooks, impractical for students whore accustomed to mentioning their paper copies since they study. Researchers at on the web education firm Xplana state the shift toward tablets in the year ahead wills certainly jumpstart demand for e-texbooks in the $8 billion Oughout. S. education publication market. iPads and other tablets will probably be in the possession around 20 percent of scholars by the fall of 2012, states that Xplana director associated with research Rob Reynolds. Thats an enormous impact. Its fastest developing technology tha t weve welcomed in education. Reynolds predicts electronic digital book sale growth in the higher education market will double over the next four many years to $1. 5 billion by 2015, and be the cause of 25 percent market share. A big jump in the amount of interactive texts available for the new supplement platforms next fall could also spur greater requirement. Text books are heavy and no longer necessary when the information can be downloaded. In classrooms in my area, iPads have been very successful. iPads are a recent some-what inexpensive tablet computer that became available in 2010. Apple company offers good education programs for universities. The weight with the textbooks in his or her backpacks would injure their backs overtime. Whereas an iPad is merely 1. 44 fat. The iPad can also have educational video games for the students to find out and entertain independently (article took in http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-kids-use-ipads-for-textbooks-in-school). While in many countries people still go with traditional method using the hard copies because the people were not well fascinated to technology. Due to this the children in some developing countries like India were facing the problem while carrying text books to the schools that their back bone were getting bent due to the over load of caring more books. Perhaps using the di gital books really gives a lot of advantages to the students like it occupies only small place to save thousands of text books and it is very easy to carry from one place to another. Using an ipad could help children look into the console and make children compose more. Scholars might not need to keep getting up to hone their pencils which diverts the educator and learners. The point when individuals have untidy penmanship, their work looks flawless and is not difficult to peruse on the ipad. When young children make use of iPads as well as notebooks theyre going to learn to make better do the job and stay cleverer. Many people argue that as compared with traditional method of reading, seating in front of tablets and ipads will create some health problem like eye strain and health hazard, and also it seems to be less concentrated while studying, but in my opinion digital books will make our work quick and easy I am sure that one can find a article in eBook quickly rather than using a textbook. Finally i would like to conclude that people has to update their habits as the technology changes this helps the students to be smart in the real world, thereby using ipads, tablets, and smartphones helps students to learn more faster within a less time and also they were eco friendly to environment. References : Bertha Coombs, CNBC.com-published on June 2011 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-06-17-digital-textbooks_n.htm Theresa Walsh Giarrusso september 2013 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2013/09/18/paper-vs-digital-are-there-benefits-to-paper-textbooks-that-schools-are-missing/ http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-kids-use-ipads-for-textbooks-in-school NAME: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY PREWRITING ARGUMENT QUESTION: 1

Knowledge as a Double Edged Sword in the novels Oryx and Crake as well

Is knowledge, which is the base of human ingenuity and intelligence, also the factor which will bring upon humanity’s impending destruction? Knowledge today plays a key role in almost every facet of human existence, from food, to water, to providing the foundation for every piece technological equipment ever constructed. Knowledge though has also provided us with ever more imaginative and efficient means of killing and destroying each other and the planet, these means include nuclear weapons, and of course biological warfare. Therefore knowledge plays the role of the doubled-edged sword, bringing humanity luxuries and power beyond conception, as well as arming us with the tools to completely eradicate all life. In the novel of Oryx and Crake, a slightly more advanced civilization than ours, where biotechnology has brought numerous wonders to the world is brought into perspective. This civilization, wrought by corruption, has eliminated disease, and now is making synthetic viru ses in order to cash in on the destruction, the perfect scheme. One of the protagonists, Crake, discovers this scheme, and with this knowledge, seeks to destroy the corrupted civilization, by performing the same atrocity. With Crake’s synthetic virus, he eliminates the entirety of human race, with the tools knowledge supplied him with. In the novel A Canticle for Leibowitz the human race is just an insignificant remnant of its former glory, after it obliterated itself with the use of nuclear weapons. This novel shows humanity’s rise out of the ashes, with focus being placed on the Order of St. Leibowitz, the sole caretakers’ of the hated knowledge from the age past. With the knowledge contained with the Order, humanity experiences a renaissance, in which ulte... ...prized knowledge above all else. In both Oryx and Crake and A Canticle for Leibowitz, knowledged acts as a doubled-edged sword bringing wonders and inventions that truly make life easy, and at the same time bringing death and destruction in the form of weapons and military advancements. It is quite evident in both novels that knowledge acts a god, to be worshiped and studied, and as a god, chooses when to deal out good and bad deeds. Knowledge provided mankind with miracles and massacres. Knowledge itself is not lethal, mankind is the hand that directs the pathways of knowledge. Humans cause massacres, with the aide of knowledge. But if mankind is truly born evil, than it is only a matter of time for it to destroys itself. As mankind delves more deeply in the the endless mine of knowledge, it must take caution, as it has within its grasp to become gods†¦or demons.

The NCLB Act Essay -- essays papers

The NCLB Act History The NCLB Act was created from initiatives originally introduced in the Elementary and Secondary School Act. The Elementary and Secondary School Act designed by then Commissioner of Education Francis Keppel and was passed on April 9, 1965. This was less than three months after the bill was first introduced. President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the 'War on Poverty' this being the most important educational component of the war. (Schugurensky, 2002) Through special funding this act allowed underprivileged and impoverished children a chance to receive education that met up to national standards. The special funding allotted more than 1 billion dollars to low income families to receive education that compared to affluent families. The Head Start program quickly grew out of this Act. In the Head Start program preschoolers received education that would prepare them for the challenges they would face in elementary schools the following year. (Amis, 2001) The ESEA was amended in 1968 to include the needs of children that had limited English speaking ability which eventually became the Bilingual Education Act. The NCLB presents a sweeping overhaul of federal efforts to support elementary and secondary education in the United States. The NCLB Act is built on four pillars, accountability for results, emphasis on doing what works, expanded parental options and expanded local controls and flexibility. (Toolkit, 2003) Standards criteria established by an educational institution to determine levels of student achievement.† (EBSCOhost Thesaurus) Each of these sets of standards may vary slightly state by state. A school that does not meet the criteria laid out by the state for two years running is labeled as n... ...n, L. S. and Owings, W. A. (May 2003) The Politics of Teacher Quality. Volume 84 pp. 687-92 Retrieved: May 1 2004 From: EBSCO Amis, K. (2001). Bush says reading is first. Thomas B. Fordham Foundation. Retrieved: Feb. 16 2004 from: www.edexcellence.net U.S. Department of Education (2004) No child left behind overview. U.S. Department of Education, Retrieved: Feb. 16, 2004 from: www.ed.gov What Works Clearinghouse (2002) Retrieved April 15 2004 from: www.w-w-c.org Schugurensky, D. (2002) History of Education Retrieved: April 22 2004 from: http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~daniel_schugurensky/assignment1/1965elemsec.html (2003) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act in Washington An overview Retrieved: April 22 2004 from: http://www.k12.wa.us/ESEA/ U.S. Department of Education (2003) A Toolkit for Teachers. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office

The Working Poor and Healthcare

Cydney Skeens F. B. C Ms. Gaines 9 October 2012 Writing Assignment: The Working Poor Poverty can be defined by the necessities and amenities that one does not have in their life. Due to the expectations created by our society, we have a tendency to judge others based on the clothes they wear or the cars they drive, and we automatically assume that those who cannot afford these luxuries are either uneducated, unskilled or a combination of both.We completely disregard the fact that not all people have control of their financial stability and that anything can damage their current state of wealth. Even the wealthiest of families can find themselves making their way to the bottom due to an unfortunate tragedy such as a death in the family or being laid off from a job, both of which are aspects that cannot be predicted or prevented, and the only thing families can do is accept it. The American Myth claims that someone from the humblest of beginnings can achieve success, but this statement could not be more false.Although a major cause of poverty is financial trouble, a key component that factors in is how the past affects the future. Those who come from troubled beginnings often lead a life of poor behavior and bad decision making skills. Some even work their lives away and still continue to struggle financially, mainly because they had no foundation to build upon due to the fact that they had to start from the absolute bottom. A popular topic of discussion commonly found in politics is the Health Care Reform of 2013-2018. This legislation requires that â€Å"all U.S citizens, with limited expectations, have health insurance coverage and establish the State Exchanges that will make available standardized plan offerings for individuals and certain employers†. The legislation also states that penalties will be assessed to those who are not covered (Banyan LLC). As for the individuals and families who cannot afford it, their financial hardships label them as an exception to those consequences (Banyan LLC). Specifically in the state of Arkansas, many consider President Barack Obama’s health care plan as â€Å"politically toxic†. On August 18th 2012,Governor Mike Beebe spoke at the Democratic Party of Arkansas and openly admitted that, although stating in the past that he would have voted against Obama’s health care reform, he now wants to follow through with the plan and help prevent a â€Å"republican takeover†(Press). Seeing that a quarter of the states working population is uninsured, Beebe believes this will benefit the people who work so hard but are still not able to afford the coverage. â€Å"I think it’s good for our people because it’s helping folks that don’t have insurance now that are working their tails off† (Press).If the expanded Medicaid policy passed, coverage would be offered to all citizens that make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (Press). Debbie Will hite, a Democratic Consultant in Little Rock, stated â€Å"we are a very poor state, and nobody needs to be told that. We have an incredible population that is undeserved by health care† (Press). When referring back to the American Myth, those who work hard can make it to the top, we can see that it is directly correlated with Health Care here in the state of Arkansas.Considering that Arkansas is a â€Å"poor state†, Governor Mike Beebe clearly points out the fact that although his people are hard-working citizens, many are still unable to afford a comfortable life style. This includes living without the protection of reliable health insurance coverage. In conclusion, I believe that the overall concept of the Health Care Reform coincides and supports my outlook on poverty. Works Cited Banyan LLC. â€Å"Articles. † Article:Health Care Reform 2013 to 2018. N. p. , n. d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. . Press, Associated. â€Å"In Arkansas, Governor Changes Course on Health Ca re to Help Uninsured, Struggling Democrats. † Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. .