Abstract With only 5.4 percent of nurses represented by the male gender, this paper highlights the varying advantages of male nurses in a patriarchal medical system focusing on the administrative, perceptual and physical advantages that men have. Current literature supports the various assertions made. In general, males have a clear gender advantage allowing for better pay, better opportunities and a better rapport with physicians.
Abstract In this paper, the author explains what is meant by comparative advantage and underlines its importance. The paper also discusses how the concept differs from the related concept of absolute advantage and describes, with the help of an example, why comparative advantage may prove beneficial for individuals, as well as countries. In the end, the author briefly reviews how the Ricardian model of comparative advantage applies to the real world situation.
From the Paper "Comparative advantage is an economics theory which explains why it can be beneficial for two individuals or countries to trade, despite the fact that one of them may be able to produce each item more cheaply than the other. In other words, what is of critical importance in the viability of trade is not the absolute cost of production, but rather the ratio between how easily the two individuals (or countries) can produce different kinds of things. According to the theory of comparative advantage, the total output will be increased if people and nations engage in those activities for which their advantages over others are the largest or their disadvantages are the smallest."
Abstract SUMMARY: Thinking about getting a degree from a foreign university? What are the benefits of getting a degree from a foreign university? Thinking about taking the plunge and studying for a degree in another country? Looking at Duke University that offers students the chance to study abroad and comparing it to the article in Oxford Review of Education's article called "Study Abroad: A Competitive Edge for Women," this paper will discuss whether obtaining a university degree from a foreign university would have advantages and what these advantages would be.
Abstract This paper is a concise critical evaluation of the extent of sustained competitive advantage a firm can attain with the astute use of internal resources. The paper presents the thesis statement of the paper to outline the argument of the paper, followed by a literature review. The review of literature outlines the significance of the topic, the various internal resources available to tourism/hospitality organizations, and the efficient employment of these resources towards the goal of competitive advantage in light of management theories. An analysis by the author follows the literature review to critically analyze the extent of competitive advantage from an astute use of internal resources.
From the Paper "The tourism and hospitality industries are operating in a global environment. The extent of globalization introduces the organization working in the industry to compete beyond borders, besides the competition faced from within the local market. Therefore organizations need to be highly competitive to get hold of a greater share of consumers in the global markets. However, tourism and hospitality industries are sensitive to global fluctuations in demand and conditions (such as travel safety and seasonal shifts). Keeping this under consideration, organizations need to strengthen the use of their internal resources to solidify their operations in the fierce competition. This generates the need for organization to realize the importance of efficiently utilizing their internal resources towards organizational objectives."
Abstract It is often asked whether or not diversity is a competitive advantage for an organization. This paper argues that competitive advantage is indeed an advantage for any organization insofar as it allows a corporation to tap into new markets, into new sources of human capital, and permits the operation - from top to bottom - to become receptive to new ideas and to new modes of thinking. To support this argument, the paper looks not only at the arguments in favor of a diverse workplace, but also considers some examples of organizations which have used diversity as an effective business tool.
Abstract This paper discusses the early mover advantage within conventional business. It then focuses on the late mover advantage for business that are heavily involved with e-commerce and it focuses on the relationships between suppliers, buyers, channel partners and customers. The paper specifically presents hypotheses and a methodology for validating late mover advantages.
Table of Contents:
Summary
Hypotheses and Methodology Summary
Methodology
Empirical Evidence
Summary
From the Paper "Compounding the best practices of late movers have in penetrating existing markets often many times dominated still by early movers, pricing and its integration across websites and across order workflows especially is critical. Pricing is in fact the most critical link in the entire systems synchronization and integration strategy that in effect forms a systems level of innovation diffusion across late movers. In fact the level of systems integration across both pricing, order capture, order management, and order fulfillment has a direct influence on the Return on Investment (ROI) that is attained by both fast followers and late movers (Askegar and Columbus 2002). The researchers found that late movers into electronics distribution who relied on the combination of enhanced functionality of applications for online customers that provided more information than competitors, only accessible from internal pricing, supply chain, order management, and fulfillment systems, was a major competitive advantage. An example of this is the use of order status throughout the late mover sites, and its emergence as the most popular online application in the research completed was that despite early movers adopting a transaction standard, RosettaNet, the majority of late movers still relied on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) as the dominant trading protocol over and above the use of websites' applications. Integration then was found by (Askegar and Columbus 2002) to be a relative indicator of innovation diffusion of late movers who successfully challenged early movers and were able to gain market share."
Abstract This paper explains that, although early mover advantage is often seen as the preferred method of market entry, in e-commerce, late movers can outperform and gain a higher level of trust with customers, by synchronizing all relevant systems through the use of the late mover process framework defined in this dissertation. This research is based on seven major hypotheses relating to a late mover e-commerce strategy. The author describes a multi-phased approach to the research design, based on qualitative research completed through the case study method in addition to the use of statistical analysis on a late mover company's relevant data in terms of transaction volumes and velocities of order management systems specifically. Several figures, tables, and graphs are included with the paper.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Use of PIMS in Evaluating New Market Entrants
Apple's iPod: Sustainable First Mover Advantage based on Process Efficiency
Contributions to Research
Statement of Research Question and/or Hypotheses
Research Design
Methodology
Research Objectives
Secondary Data Collection
Primary Data Collection
Research Strategies for the Literature Study
Procedure
Quantitative Research
Results
Table: Late Mover Advantage in Mass Customization
Late Mover Trust Infrastructure Components
Late Mover Factors in Velocity
Late Mover Displacement Strategies
Early Mover Mistakes that Lead to Late Mover Wins
Late Mover Processes that Lead to Trusted Advisor Status
Late Mover Failed Processes
Discussion
Figure: Proposed Late Mover Process Framework
Defining the Late Mover Maturity Model
Late Mover Maturity Model Assumptions
Late Mover Maturity Model Implications for Manufacturing and E-Commerce
Qualitative Research Using Interviews
Discussion
Abstract
Appendices
Appendix: PIMS Variables Analyzed
Timescale
From the Paper "Despite much of the secondary research showing that aggressive pricing is ineffective, this is the most common late market entrant strategy, according to industry experts this is because late movers assume that markets they are entering are much more price elastic than they really are. While in high tech this practice of entering new markets by aggressive pricing strategies sometimes is responded to with bundling (which is a strategic error in the part of early movers protecting market share) the most common defensive strategy is to create more opportunities for customers to participate in the product development process."
Abstract This paper is a concise critical evaluation of the extent to which a firm can attain a sustained competitive advantage with the astute use of internal resources. The paper contains a thesis statement and a literature review. The literature review outlines the significance of the topic, the various internal resources available to tourism / hospitality organizations, and the efficient employment of these resources. The review is followed by the author's analysis of the relationship between competitive advantage and astute use of internal resources.
From the Paper "Broadly categorizing these resources leaves us with two variations: external and internal resources. Whereas tourism and hospitability-related organizations are heavily dependant upon shifts and adaptations in external factors and resources, the internal resources are what ultimately determine the competitive advantage of these organizations. The organizations must manage their internal resources most efficiently in order to meet the challenges posed by the external operating conditions of these industries. Therefore it can be suggested that the astute use of internal resources are what gives a firm sustained competitive advantage."
Tags: tourists, travel, adventure, global, environment, information, technology, management, theory
Abstract This paper attempts to show that research and development (R&D) is an important factor of competitive advantage as long as it involves the creation of marketable innovations. It points out that R&D is a rather complex procedure and it is important how R&D expenditure is managed. It also analyzes the contribution of innovation systems on leading economies, namely Japan and the USA.
Outline
Introduction
R&D and Competitive Advantage R&D and Economic Growth
R&D and National Innovation Systems
R&D, A Complex Process
Characteristics of National Innovation Systems
Japanese and American National Systems of Innovation
Private Sector
Public Sector
Conclusion
Reference List
From the Paper "A century ago, technological change has been the result of random innovations made by individual and independent inventors only. However, in today's world, characterized by ever increasing global competition, companies as well as governments put their emphasis on organized innovation in their strive for accelerating the process of obtaining technological advance. Organized innovation refers to innovations as the outcome of systematic investments in research and development (R&D) in order to achieve competitive advantage."
Abstract The notion of 'comparative advantage' states that countries prosper first by taking advantage of their assets in order to concentrate on what they can produce best and then by trading these products for products that other countries produce best. In order for this liberal trade policy to succeed, international trade in general must be itself liberalized. This paper assesses how the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and its successor the World Trade Organization, have fared in this task, with particular reference to the developing world.
From the Paper "The mercantilist idea of protectionism ultimately leads to bloated, inefficient producers supplying consumers with outdated, unattractive products. However, liberalising trade tends to lead to sharpening competition, motivating innovation and breeding success. One such policy is the transparency of governments' trade policies, as sometimes promising not to raise trade barriers is just as important as lowering them. This is because the promise allows businesses a much more transparent view of their future opportunities and hence liberalise trade."
Abstract The paper discusses how a company such as Dell computers can achieve and defend its competitive advantage through appropriate business strategy. The paper evaluates the success of Dell, Inc. and examines its cash flow, as well as its high performance computers at reasonable prices.
From the Paper "Dell Inc. was a struggling PC maker. Like other computer manufacturers ten years ago, Dell ordered its components in advance and carried a large amount of component or raw material inventory. Consequently, if its sales forecasts were wrong, then Dell could experience significant write-downs based on lower cost market (LCM) price adjustments. Dell decided on a new business strategy that it hoped would allow the company to develop, achieve and maintain a competitive advantage.
Tags: Achieve/Defend Competitive Advantage, business strategy, Dell, computer, PC, direct sales, supply chain management, a decade of success, sustaintable competitive advantage
Abstract Summary: This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Chinese entering the World Trade Organization. By understanding the different elements of this type of major deal in trade, we can see how this might affect the lives of the Chinese on a world basis. The effects of internationalization of this country has been an issue in recent times, and this deal would have significant affects on China.
