All Generations Before Me and Far Cry from Africa free essay sample

The Poem is of Nazi period. The artist communicates his inclination which he experience during that period. Yehuda Amichai is a German Jew whose family fled the Nasis and emigrated to Palestine in 1936. The sonnet discusses the Nazi system and the period. He battled the World war II and the Israeli war of Independence. | He has composed books and plays and has instructed every once in a while in American Universities. He is known for his profoundly otherworldly and philosophical works and his amusing reflections on keeps an eye on predetermination in a universe of divisions and pecking orders. To discuss the sonnet, the sonnet All the Generations Before me is a surprisingly close to home impression of a man and craftsman in a particular existence. In the sonnet All the ages Before me, the accompanying individual reflections are noted. A man and craftsman in a particular timeframe. Jerusalem and the twentieth Century The sonnet discusses self as the aggregate of convention and history Political, financial and social conditions. We will compose a custom article test on All Generations Before Me and Far Cry from Africa or on the other hand any comparative theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page The artist starts the sonnet by saying that all the age before him gave inheritance a tiny bit at a time, with the goal that he has become an undeniable Jew. He thinks about himself to a place of supplication in Jerusalem or magnanimous Institution that has been raised because of noble cause and gift. The artist needed to have attaching to each one of the individuals who have added to his reality. My names, my donor;s name really implies that the writer has changed his unique family name Pfeuffer to Amichai meaning My kin live. In the second verse of the sonnet, the writer has developed old and he is moving toward the age his dad when he kicked the bucket. He is attempting to recall lifes encounters fixed with numerous patches. The artist says that every day is new understanding for him and he has the obligation of satisfying the predictions that some time or another all the Jews will have returned to the guarantee land. There is an authoritative in the guarantees and none of them were lies. At long last the writer closes and says that he have spent forty years old and that frames an impediment for him to be qualified for work. Wryly he says that where he been in Auschwitc he would not be pestered for looking through work, as he would have been sent directly to the death camp, gassed and slaughtered. May be this is a memory of what befallen his dad and progenitors during the Nazi system. Long ways from Africa A Far Cry from Africa by Derek Walcott manages the subject of split character and nervousness brought about by it despite the battle in which the writer could agree with neither gathering. It is, to put it plainly, about the poet’s undecided emotions towards the Kenyan fear based oppressors and the counter-psychological militant white frontier government, the two of which were barbaric, during the autonomy battle of the nation during the 1950s. The persona, most likely the writer himself, can take favor of none of them since the two bloods circle along his veins. He has been given English tongue which he adores from one perspective, and on the other, he can't endure the fierce butcher of Africans with whom he shares blood and a few conventions. His still, small voice precludes him to support unfairness. He is in the condition of uncertainty, disturbed, wishing to see harmony and concordance in the locale. Starting with sensational setting, the sonnet ‘A Far Cry from Africa’ opens a ghastly scene of gore in An african area. ‘Bloodstreams’, ‘scattered corpses,’ ‘worm’ show frightful sight of fight. Local blacks are being eliminated like Jews in holocaust following the executing of a white youngster in its bed by blacks.  The title of the sonnet includes a figure of speech: â€Å"a far cry† implies an unthinkable thing. In any case, the artist appears to utilize the words in different faculties additionally; the title proposes in one sense that the artist is expounding on an African subject from a separation. Composing from the island of St. Lucia, he feels that he is at a huge separation both truly and figuratively from Africa. â€Å"a far cry† may likewise have another significance, that the genuine condition of the African ‘paradise’ is a long ways from the Africa that we have found out about in depictions of lovely fauna and greenery and fascinating town customs. Also, a third degree of importance to the title is the possibility of Walcott hearing the sonnet as a long ways coming right across a huge number of miles of sea. He hears the cry coming to him on the breeze. The creature symbolism is another significant element of the sonnet. Walcott views as satisfactory viciousness the nature or â€Å"natural law† of creatures slaughtering each other to eat and endure; yet people has been transformed even the ignoble creature conduct into more regrettable and good for nothing savagery. Brutes come out better than â€Å"upright man† since creatures do what they should do, any don't look for heavenliness through delivering torment. Walcott accepts that human, in contrast to creatures, have no reason, no genuine basis, for killing non â€combatants in the Kenyan clash. Brutality among them has transformed into a bad dream of unsatisfactory abomination dependent on shading. Along these lines, we have the â€Å"Kikuyu† and savagery in Kenya, brutality in a â€Å"paradise†, and we have â€Å"statistics† that don’t mean anything and â€Å"scholar†, who will in general toss their weight behind pilgrim approach: Walcott’s shock is simply by the gauges of the late 1960s, even limited. More striking than the creature symbolism is simply the picture of the writer toward the finish of the sonnet. He is partitioned, and doesn’t have any break. â€Å"I who am harmed with the blood of both, where will I go, separated to the vein? † This tragic completion shows an outcome of uprooting and segregation. Walcott feels outside in the two societies because of his blended blood. An individual feeling of personality emerges from social impacts, which characterize one’s character as indicated by a specific society’s principles; the poet’s half and half legacy keeps him from recognizing straightforwardly with one culture. Hence makes a sentiment of detachment. Walcott delineates Africa and Britain in the standard jobs of the vanquished and the vanquisher, despite the fact that he depicts the savage imperialistic adventures of the British without making compassion toward the African tribesmen. This dispassionately permits Walcott to mull over the flaws of each culture without returning to the predisposition made by thoughtfulness regarding moral contemplations. In any case, Walcott negates the guardian angel picture of the British through an ominous depiction in the guaranteeing lines. â€Å"Only the worm, colonel of flesh cries/‘waste no empathy on their isolated dead. The word ‘colonel’ is a punning on ‘colonial’ moreover. The Africans related with a crude normal quality and the British depicted as a falsely upgraded power stay equivalent in the challenge for command over Africa and its kin. Walcott’s separated loyalties induce a feeling of blame as he needs to receive the â€Å"civilized† culture of the British however can't pardon their shameless treatment of the Africans. The sonnet uncovers the degree of Walcott’s frustration through the poet’s failure to determine the conundrum of his cross breed legacy. Lines 1-3 The initial three lines portray the poem’s setting on the African plain, or veldt. The country itself is contrasted with a creature (maybe a lion) with a â€Å"tawny pelt. † Tawny is a shading depicted as light earthy colored to caramel orange that is normal shading in the African scene. The word â€Å"Kikuyu† fills in as the name of a local clan in Kenya. What appears to be an untainted depiction of the African plain rapidly moves; the Kikuyu are contrasted with flies (humming around the â€Å"animal† of Africa) who are benefiting from blood, which is available in huge enough adds up to make streams. Lines 4-6 Walcott breaks the picture of a heaven that many partner with Africa by depicting a scene covered with carcasses. He includes a sickening point of interest by alluding to a worm, or slimy parasite, that reigns in this setting of rotting human tissue. The worm’s rebuke to â€Å"Waste no empathy on these different dead! † is baffling in that it infers that the casualties by one way or another got what they merited. Lines 7-10 The notice of the words â€Å"justify† and â€Å"colonial policy,† when taken in setting with the former six lines, at last explains the specific occasion that Walcott is depicting †the Mau Uprising against British pilgrims in Kenya during the 1950s. Where prior the speaker appeared to accuse the people in question, he currently accuses the individuals who constrained the pioneer framework onto Kenya and enraptured the populace. They can't legitimize their activities, in light of the fact that their reasons will never matter to the â€Å"white child† who has been killed †only due to his shading †in counter by Mau warriors or to the â€Å"savages,† who †in as bigot a disposition as was taken by Nazis against Jews †are considered useless, or extra. (â€Å"Savages† is a questionable term that gets from the French wordâ sauvageâ meaning wild, and is currently completely deprecatory in English. Walcott’s utilization of â€Å"savage† capacities to introduce a English colonialist’s supremacist perspective. ) Lines 11-14 Walcott changes gears in these lines and comes back to pictures of Africa’s natural life, in an update that the ibises (since quite a while ago charged swimming feathered creatures) and different monsters controlled this land some time before African or European human progress existed. The artist likewise portrays a centuries-old chasing custom of locals strolling in a line through the long grass and beating it to flush out prey. Such murdering for food is set against the silly and arbitrary

A well documented case study Subject has a diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse, Cannabis Abuse, Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder

A very much recorded contextual analysis Subject has a determination of Alcohol Abuse, Cannabis Abuse, Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder Subject Name: Doe, JaneJane Doe is an expressed twenty multi year old female. She has a background marked by reoccurring issues on the work site and at home. Most as of late, Jane encountered a maniacal scene at work and was hospitalized for about fourteen days during which time she got treatment equipped at adjustment of the intense scene. Little is thought about Jane?s family ancestry and she has had no earlier hospitalizations. Data accessible originates from her present specialist, clinic reports, and associates. Jane likewise has introduced some data however the believability of her reports is questionable.Physical PresentationThe customer I am given is a lady who looks clearly a lot more youthful than her expressed age. She is assessed as being inside the better than expected scope of knowledge. Her clothing was incredibly provocative and she was intensely made-up. She was showing innocent peculiarities and discourse. Ms. Doe conveyed just an enormous rucksack that she depicted as her safe.This stream graph shows the advancement of B...She reports conveying all her significant papers and things with her consistently on the off chance that somebody has to know something about me. Her discourse was incredibly quick and somewhat compelled. She continually squirmed in the seat, ruling the discussion with drawn out clarifications of her own history, practices, and problems.Cognitive PresentationThought forms were composed and non-hallucinating with some unusual jumpy and impulsive highlights. She didn't have all the earmarks of being encountering the impacts of any substances at the hour of this meeting. Ms. Doe confessed to visit utilization of liquor and cannabis, which she uses to make herself feel good, and disregard things yet denies reliance to either substance.Emotional PresentationClient?s state of mind at the hour of this perception was to some degree raised and on edge. She admitted to a past filled with endeavored suicides and fierce scenes however denied current self-destructive ideation.

Muslim Women in Canada - Free Essay Example

Word count: 1,489 Throughout history, women have been victims of oppression no matter what religion or background they come from. They have learned from a young age, that their appearance is important to fundamentally be happy in their life. The topic of oppression in woman leads to controversial discussion not only to scholars but women of all parts of the world. How a woman presents herself through appearance and clothing targets her in a society obsessed with each other’s business. In today’s society, whether we can help it or not, men are treated differently than women. There seems to be different â€Å"rules† associated with the acceptable ways they should dress as opposed to the strict rules that apply to women. Women who are westernized are exposed to different forms of oppression than those from the east. Not that westernized women don’t face hardship, but they face it in a different light. Islamic women are the focus here, women who follow thei r religion by wearing the Hijab and women who feel it’s not necessary to cover one self to be a good Muslim. There is no one image of an Arabic woman but whether or not there is a scarf on her head, Islamic woman feel the same pressure as women of every culture. Unfortunately in many places, these women don’t have a say or have a chance to rebel against these pressures and laws as they could be punished. These pressures come from their religion and their society; from their peers and their culture. Growing up in a Muslim home, I understand what Islamic women go through their whole lives to be accepted not only in their religious community but in modern society as well. As Tabassum Ruby mentions in her article, Listening to the Voices of Hijab, the meaning of the Hijab can be interpreted in a different way depending on whose perspective it comes from. A woman who wears the Hijab may see it as a â€Å"religious obligation† while a Muslim woman who doesn†™t wear it may see it as a â€Å"cultural symbol† (Ruby 43). The women that were interviewed by Ruby all live in Canada, and have been exposed to the westernized way of living, which differ greatly from the Muslim countries they were born in. â€Å"The Hijab limits me from doing certain things. When I have the Hijab on†¦as a Muslim woman, I consider myself basically representing the whole community† (Ruby 29). Aspects like this set this woman apart from her peers because she is now labeled as just one thing, a Muslim, when in fact she is much more than that. Women who wear the Hijab, Muhajibah, living in the western world, I believe, have it harder than they do living back home. Here, they are subject to a lot more attention when not necessary such as weird looks walking down the street and subject to stereotypes ie. being a terrorist. Islamic women are not the only ones being oppressed by their choice of clothing; in fact every woman around the world is targ et towards oppression. Islamic women are just targeted more than women of other religions. This is because of the strict faith that they endure from the Qu’ran telling them that they need to dress a certain way. However, it has been debated that the Qu’ran actually doesn’t mention anything about a women needing to wear a Hijab to be a good Muslim. (Kawaji) Growing up a Muslim in Canada is tough position to be in; you try to find a balance between staying true to your religion and dealing with society’s’ everyday pressures to fit in. Almas Sayeed, is one of many Muslim’s in that position. In her article, Chappals and Gym Shorts, she struggles to please her religious dad with his marriage plans for her, while trying to find out her true sexuality and fit in with her mutual feminist peers. She summarizes herself in these words: â€Å"I am a Muslim, first generation Indian, feminist woman studying in a largely homogenized white, Christian community in Midwestern America† (Sayeed 211). Almas is the perfect example of a westernized Muslim: she doesn’t wear the Hijab yet she stands by her religious beliefs and does not show her legs or arms and respects her dad. Other Muslim woman might think that Almas is not a true Muslim because she in fact does not cover her hair or her body. In fact, Farza’nah, one of the participants in Ruby’s focus group has said that â€Å"a woman’s beauty needs to be concealed, because beauty brings a lot of other things†¦freedom , the kind that we see here†(Ruby 37) I personally don’t understand this statement, as I was always taught that I should embrace my beauty and become an individual. However, in some places like Montreal this individuality is questioned. Two Muslim girls were suspended from school for wearing the Hijab. Kawaja). In nations like Saudi Arabia, women are forced to cover their bodies from head to toe and this includes wearing the veil, by law and tradition. If caught otherwise they will be punished for their actions. But what about personal freedom? A freedom to express one’s own independence? Now in France this freedom is also lost, but from the completely opposite view point. They have an anti-Hijab law that forbids girls to wear the Hijab in public school. (Kawaja) Neither Saudi Arabia nor France are right in what they’re doing as a nation to their people. In the western society, women are no longer victims of oppression; at least if they choose not to be. Unlike in the east, westernized women have a free will to lead the life they want through their education, to choose a same-sex partner and to surpass in whatever career they choose. However, it may sometimes seem, although not to an extreme extent, that westernized women are victims of oppression through their appearance. Society has a laid out plan for how they need to look and what they should do to get it. They have â⠂¬Å"role models† in everyday ads, catwalks and the favourite, music videos. It is very rare these days to watch a single music video without a half naked girl dancing for a male singer, trying to grab his attention with her body. As we watched in class, Desire, sex power in music video, displays the mere fact that females use their sexuality as a product to sell music videos for a male audience. The reason I say these females are oppressed is because they are sucked into thinking that they can sell their bodies to get whatever they desire. They see ads every single day about losing weight through a pill or getting surgery for bigger breasts or tighter buttocks. Or even changing the colour of your eyes through the magic of a contact lense. (Bordo 340). This form of oppression is different than that of the Islamic woman as these women do have a choice in what they’re doing. However these choices become difficult because society has made them to be so, society has t old every woman that she needs to look, dress and act the same as everyone else. Back in 2002 in the city of Mecca, fifteen teenage girls died in a fire at their school because the Saudi religious police, muttawa, wouldn’t let them out. These girls attended a female only school and didn’t require putting on their garments while in class. Unfortunately, they didn’t put them back on when the fire hit and the muttawa preferred they die than break the Islamic law. (Chesler, 18). Situations like this really make me wonder the extent to which some nations will go to in order to put women under these oppressions. These teenage girls had no choice but to flee from the scene, while the muttawa thought otherwise. Women all around the world face different challenges every day, but challenges nonetheless. I can say to you that I am a westernized Muslim, I grew up in Canada, I don’t wear the Hijab (nor does my mom) but I still respect my values and where I came fro m. However, I know for a fact or close to, that if I grew up in my home country of Jordon, my religious values would be deeper and I might be wearing the Hijab today. Oppression is a problem faced all around the world to women of all colours, shapes and sizes. Until this day, the Islamic culture seems to have it the hardest with these struggles. References Bordo, Susan. Material Girl: The effacements of postmodern culture. The gender/sexuality reader: culture, history, political economy. 1997. Pp. 335-358. Chesler, Phyllis and Spencer, Robert. The violent oppression of women in Islam. David and Horowitz freedom center. Las Angeles. 2007 Jhally, Sut. Dreamworlds 3: Desire, sex and power in music video. Media education Foundation. Canada. 2007. Kawaja, Jennifer. Under one sky: Arab women in North America talk about the Hijab. National film board of Canada. Canada. 2007. Ruby, Tabassum. Listening to the voices of Hijab. The gendered society reader. Oxford university press. 2008. Pp 34-43. Sayeed, Almas. Chappals and gym shorts: an Indian Muslim woman in the land of oz. Colonize this! Young women of colour on today’s feminism. 2002. Pp. 203-214. Oppression of women Reena A. 209794454 TA: Leyna March 4th, 2010.

Police And Its Reputation - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 674 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/03/29 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Police Brutality Essay Did you like this example? Police Brutality In our current climate due to the polices actions, they have earned a bad reputations. Some of their actions are beating up innocent civilians, not following laws, and how times have changed. Now people are scared of the police because of what they have done and now civilians do not feel safe whenever they are around them. We should not be afraid of police, as we should now. Everyone now a days are now afraid of the police because of recent stories of them brutally beating innocent and unarmed civilians. On the website, there is also a video that shows the police brutally beating up an innocent civilians. The policemen are suppose to help protect and serve the state instead of beating up civilians that have done nothing to deserve that. The innocent civilian was on the phone outside, when a cop pulled him to the side and slammed his head to the wall. When his head was slammed against the wall, three other cops were there and they also helped beat up the civilian. This is one of the actions that the police have done in order to get the bad reputation. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Police And Its Reputation" essay for you Create order The police are setting a bad example. The law says to do specific things in a specific way, and what to do and what not to do. The police thinks because they are part of the law, they believe that they can not follow laws, like for example, you can not have an electronic out while your driving, yet they have a laptop opened, or their phones out. The police are suppose to set a good example so everyone can follow the laws. Laws are made for a reason and that is a good reason why everyone should follow them. Another way of the police breaking laws, is having possession of drugs. They believe that they can get away with having their own possession of drugs because they are cops, therefore they are breaking the laws. Another reason is using their lights just to get rid of traffic. They use their lights so they do not have to wait for the light to turn green, they simply turn on their lights, so everyone can move out the way so they can pass. Times have changed from how it was back then and now. Police would spend hours talking a shooter or a gang member to step down and to quit doing what their doing. But now the police thinks that the only option they have is to just start pulling triggers. Now that they believe that every time they are in danger, they believe that they should start killing people without any consequences. Some of the other changes that happened are when there are shootings, police used to run away from it, but now they run towards action so they can take control of what is happening. The police should be able to not leave the last result to ending a life when they can change that person to do better. Cops should start going back to their own ways to start talking to the person doing crime, rather than killing them. Often times the cops mostly take away black lives. Some policemen are good cops unlike others. I believe that not all cops are the same, some cops can be nice or mean depending on their mood. Cops are a way of letting people know that they are there to help, and they should know that they will be safe. Cops are a way of protecting life and making sure that in every way possible, that everyone is safe. People now believe that all cops are the same because of other cops actions, people are now afraid of cops because of what they might do. In conclusion, cops do not follow laws, they brutally beats civilians, and over the times when times have changed, cops changed. Police brutality is a very bad thing because the police are supposed to protect and serve instead of brutally beat innocent civilians.

Essay On Dna Methylation - 1075 Words

In this study, we describe DNA methylation and gene expression of SLC22A1, SLC22A3, and SLC47A1, which respectively encode the three metformin transporters OCT1, OCT3, and MATE1, in the human liver. In agreement with a previous study where OCT1 was found to be the most expressed drug transporter in the liver [15], we found higher mRNA expression of SLC22A1 than SLC22A3 (Additional file 1: Figure S2A). SLC47A1 was also highly expressed in the liver, as previously reported [16]. Metformin transporter genes have been studied in vivo in rodents to explain metformin pharmacodynamics. The distribution of metformin to the liver in Oct1 −/− mice was reduced 30-fold compared with wild-type mice [6], and the glucose-lowering effects of metformin†¦show more content†¦The fact that methylation of some studied CpG sites was not affected by the exposure in vitro does not exclude that longer metformin or insulin treatments could have effects. T2D patients are given a long-term therapy, whereas the cells were treated for 8 h mimicking an acute therapy. Overall, our in vivo and in vitro data support that metformin therapy is associated with lower DNA methylation of metformin transporter genes in the liver suggesting that epigenetics could be a potential mechanism for metformin action in the human liver. Accordingly, a recent study has shown that metformin alters DNA methylation in endometrial cancer cells [22]. The demethylation process in metformin tr ansporters induced by metformin could have occurred passively or actively by ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes [23], since these enzymes play an important role in the development and function of the human liver [24]. Moreover, AMPK pathway, activated by metformin, elevates ÃŽ ±-ketoglutarate metabolite which is required by TET catalytic reaction for the DNA demethylation process [25]. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to dissect this mechanism. 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Applied Business Research and Ethics Zika Virus

Question: Discuss about theApplied Business Research and Ethicsfor Zika Virus. Answer: Introduction To understand why stem cell research is so valuable its vital to know what a stem cell is. A stem cell is defined as , an unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells ( Merriam-Webster,2009), meaning that stem cells dont have a specific cell type, like a skin cell or a muscle tissue cell, but instead it will adjust to help a certain type of cell in need. By having this quality stem cells are thought to have the potential to find cures for many dreaded diseases such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, cancer, paralysis and even to reduce the development of microcephaly in the unborn babies of pregnant women who have become infected with Zika Virus. There are two types of steam cell research. The first is adult also called somatic or germ line stem cell which exists throughout the body after embryonic development such as in brain, bone marrow, skin and liver. The second is embryonic stem cell which usually comes from in vitro fertilisation. The embryos are usually four or five days old, and they are called the blastocyst. The blastocyst consists of three parts: the trophoblast, which surrounds the blastocyst, the blastocoel, which is a hollow cavity inside the blastocyst and the inner cell mass, which is a group of about thirty cells at one end of the blastocoel. Scientists grow the embryonic stem cells by isolating the inner cell mass in a Petri dish. In order for these cells to continue dividing and living, they are contained in a nutrient medium. In relation to research for stem cell that reduces microcephaly, it is necessary to identify genes that trigger the development of the cerebral cortex. Knowing this is important because microcephaly is a neurological birth defect in which abnormal brain development occurs in a child inside the womb or during infancy. Vogel (2016) suggest that it is caused by genetic abnormalities or by toxins and viruses exposed to fetus that damage development of brain tissue. Identification of specific gene related to development of cerebral cortex will give an idea about the development and evolution of brain. The cortex is made up of stem cells and the methods of division of stem cells influences the size of the cerebral cortex. Thus controlling the division of this cell will help in controlling the size of cerebral cortex in microcephaly (Nowakowski, 2016). Therefore, ABC Company can proceed with researching about neural stem cells. This is important because human microcephaly occurs because of mutation of genes that encode proteins for regulation of neural stem cell function (Christopher, 2016).Thus, ABC organization can start research into identifying regulators of neural stem cells to reduce the incidence of microcephaly during child birth. Body Ethical and Legal Background of Stem Cell Research Stem cell research is often at the forefront of heated ethical debates due to its assessment of human life. If stem cell research cannot be ethically defended, then it should not be conducted. You cannot defend a study ethically unless the presumed cost is lower than expected benefits. The cost-benefit analysis of scientific research needs to include human/animal discomfort/risks, environmental issues, material costs, etc which is necessary to support the positive outcome which the research claims to provide (experiment-resources, 2008). The two opposing ethical arguments which have to be defended morally are that of utilitarianism and deontology. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines the moral value of an act in terms of its results, and if those results produce the greatest good for the greatest number. As a consequential theory, it is contrasted with no consequential theories, such as deontology (Mosser, 2011). The Utilitarian argument of stem cell research is that, although the most valuable research has been derived from aborted human fetuses, stem cell research can cure multiple diseases and greatly advance science and medicine, so this is what should be done. Deontology is the study of moral obligation and necessity, finding the source of ethical correctness in the rules according to which one acts. It rejects utilizing the results or consequences of an act to evaluate an act as moral and thus is a non-consequential theory. It is standardly contrasted with the consequential theory of utilitarianism (Mosser, 2011). Skeptics with a deontological view would counter-argue saying that it is unethical to destroy human life to save human life, so this should not be done. The ethical concern that arises in stem cell research is that great objection is faced by researcher because it involves destruction of blastocyst which they consider unethical. Since research depends on donation of female oocytes, many people oppose stem cell research due to the exploitation of pregnant women. There is also legal objection regarding the mixing of human and non-human stem cell for the purpose of research (Barker de Beaufort, 2013). Unethical implications have included use embryo research and aborted fetuses. The controversy over using aborted fetuses for research was much higher prior to 2007. At this time, scientists defend this method on the bases that it would be better to use the fetuses to help humanity as opposed to throwing them away as waist. Scientists defend embryo research on the bases that week-old blastocysts are not human beings, and that destroying those embryos does not constitute killing. At one week, embryos are merely a cluster of cells and not de serving of the protections afforded to others, they say. When conceived naturally, a blastocyst has not been implanted in the uterus by that time. Most scientists argue that an embryo is not a person until it is at least two weeks old, when it develops a so-called primitive streak, the first evidence of a nervous system (FoxNews.com, 2001). However ABC can take appropriate steps to address the ethical and legal issues in stem cell research by following appropriate guideline for carrying out ethical research. First task of ABC would be to take informed consent regarding the use of donated embryo. However consent depends on the purpose of research (Harper et al., 2014). For example research on determining the treatment for chronic disease or infertility will be acceptable, but deriving stems for patent of commercial products may lead to objection. Thus informed consent will help address the diversity of views. Waiver in consent can also be achieved by taking those embryos or oocytes that fail to develop and are discarded. The rationale for this is that there is minimum ethical risk involved in it and it does not lead to breach of confidentiality too. The policies and guidelines for research practice in different countries differ. Mainly restriction is on monetary inducements, gap between clinical decisions and receiving v oluntary informed consent from donors (Panno, 2014). Since there is minimum attention to policies surrounding transfer of human embryonic stem cells, ABC can also investigate about the mechanism by which neural stem cells can localize in the host cells. A survey on policies and guidelines for stem cell research shows that there is prohibition on use of 14 day older embryo after fertilization (Lowenthal et al., 2012). Hence, ABC needs to act within current clinical guidelines and relevant policies and regulations to stem cell research. Secondly, such research should be reviewed by stem cell review committee along with support from expert in science of stem cell. ABC also needs to give informed consent to donors and patient along understanding of risk involved. They should follow a common reference standard and have appropriate management system in place for handling such stem cells. Another critical step is to clinically test the stem cells for potential toxicities in it. The specime n trialled should be monitored for adverse effects regularly. The Facts and Steps That ABC Company Should Consider To Ensure That Research is Ethical To ensure that stem cell research is ethical firstly we must have a morally sound body of law governing stem cell research and tissue donation so that we harness and promote the common good. In Australia the use of human embryos to derive human embryonic stem cell lines for research is governed by the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002. The Act allows the use under licence of embryos created through ART that are no longer required by the couples or that are unsuitable for implantation. The Act also allows the creation and/or use of certain other types of embryos for research under licence. Also this body should encourage scientists in doing more and more researches ethically and legally. Currently, in Australia human embryos can only be used for research purposes if authorized by a license issued by the NHMRC embryo research committee (Australian Government National health and Medical Research Council) . There are currently ten active licenses issued by the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee. Secondly, federal and private involvement would increase the pool of talented scientists who could study the cells, and thus accelerate the pace of the research (FoxNews.com, 2001). The Australian government funds stem cell research through various grant schemes.Information about project recently funded by NHMRC is provided on the NHMRC website. Involvement of private organization to raise money for stem cell reach can be done by increasing public awareness. The famous characters of stem cell research supporters in America, Christopher Reeve and Michael J. Fox who supported embryonic stem cell research (Article of Sarah J. Flashing October 2004, an ethicist for the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Thinking About Christopher Reeve and The Legacy We Leave.) started a foundation, trying to raise money from private organizations for stem cell research. They also attract a lot of media, which helps them get their thoughts and beliefs across to the public via television, newspapers and the Internet. They basically started supporting this considering their own medical conditions. Christopher Reeve passed away due to complications from his paralysis from neck down. He supported embryonic stem cell research to find a cure for his condition. Reeve believed that embryos, from which the stem cells were derived, were killed in the process, as he believed that they were alive. However, he still hoped that with the death of these embryos, a cure for spinal cord injury could be found. He believed in sacrificing lives for a good cause, which would later save millions. By listening to what scientist and other people talk about stem cell research and seeing what it is actually does, Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in charge of determining whether Embryonic stem cell research is ethical or not, declared that it is completely ethical to perform embryonic stem cell research. However, they explained that there are special guidelines that have to be followed in order to extract stem cells and perform stem cell research. The whole entire process has to be explained in detail to the donors. The consent process consists of various point, including confidentiality and privacy. Final decisions must be made by the donors in person. In rare cases, if the donors are not available for any reason, and have in advantage agreed to donating their embryos in writing, doctors could use their embryos for research. If couples do not want to participate, it is their choice, and medical treatment cannot be affected by their decisions in any way. Embryos cannot be bought, sold and they cannot have any monetary value. They can only be donated or produced in vitro. After following these rules and guidelines, the Ethics Committee regards embryo research as ethically acceptable if it is likely to provide significant new knowledge that will benefit human health and if it is conducted in ways that accord the embryos respect. (Ethics committee). Thirdly conducting survey to find out people's opinion on stem cell research give more comfort before carrying out further research .There is a survey conducted in United State by Univ. of Nevada, Reno faculty members Mariah Evans (lead author) and Jonathan Kelley provide decision-makers with a much clearer picture of how their constituents truly feel about the subject of human embryonic stem cell research. They surveyed a large, representative national sample of 2,295 respondents in 2009. Their most significant findings include: More than two-thirds of respondents approved of using therapeutic cloning (nuclear transfer of the patients own genes) and stem cells from in vitro fertilized embryos to cure cancer or treat heart attacks, while only about one in six respondents did not approve. Therapeutic cloning remains banned in the U.S. today. About one in six respondents had mixed feelings or were undecided. Less than 15 percent did not approve. About one in five had mixed feelings or was undecided. Almost half (43 to 47 percent) of respondents also approve of the use of therapeutic cloning, stem cells from in vitro fertilized embryos and stem cells from an adult to treat allergies, but slightly over one in four do not. And, 28 to 29 percent have mixed feelings or are undecided in this regard. These findings indicate that while more respondents approve of the use of these methods for treatment of less-serious conditions than disapprove of it, the approval is not as strong as it is for using these methods to treat more serious conditions and diseases, such as cancer or heart attacks. Respondents were not as approving of use of these methods for cosmetic purposes, such as creating new skin to restore someones youthful appearance. Almost one-half (45 to 50 percent) disapproved of this use, while only slightly more than one-quarter (25 to 29 percent) approved of this use. About one-quarter had mixed feelings or were undecided. Respondents did not support human reprod uctive cloning, neither of themselves nor of a child who had died, with almost three-quarters (71 to 73 percent) disapproving and only about one in 10 approving. About one in five had mixed feelings or was undecided. Respondents were quite evenly divided in their thoughts on animal cloning with slightly over a third approving, slightly over a third disapproving and about one-quarter having mixed feelings or being undecided. Evans also found it interesting that the majority of respondents trusted their own judgment most when deciding on their approval or disapproval on stem cell research issues, rather than looking to their church or other authorities, such as governmental ethics committees. The vast majority, over two-thirds, says that in deciding whether it is right to allow these treatments, they would follow their own judgment. Only 4 percent gave greater moral weight to the Catholic Church than to themselves, and even among committed church-going Catholics, only about one in five defer to the church on these matters. Even those in the most disapproving demographic group, churchgoing fundamentalist women, were still more in favor than opposed (Univ. of Nevada, 2011). Conclusion With all of this said, I feel that stem cell research is extremely important and ethical. An embryo which is four or five days old, from which stem cells are derived, is not a human being yet, because its brain is nonfunctional and its heart is not beating. So destroying it would not be murder, its just a beginning of a long process of obtaining stem cells from it. When researchers are only allowed to use embryos that are no longer required by the couple, or that are unsuitable for implantation along with the other guidelines put in place,(Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 Australia) I personally do not see how this is a destruction of life. I actually find myself thinking that this is a way to use the life within each embryo to potentially extend and save the lives of others. I find that no matter the act in question one can definitely have more than one view. Do I find it right to end one human life to save another? No. Do I think it is right to use human embryos that will not be used to help the common good? Yes. No matter what stage I believe an embryo is in when obtained for research, I find that it is better to utilize it than to just throw it away. Im in favor of stem cell research and utilitarian ideals, because I believe in striving for the greater good of all mankind. Utilitarianism believe that if the act is done with the common good in mind then the act is right (Mosser 2010). On the other hand Deontology rejects utilizing the results or consequences of an act to evaluate an act as moral and it would counter-argue saying that it is unethical to destroy human life to save human life, so this should not be done. While both of these theories bring different ways of looking at something they both have challenges as well. Utilitarianism can help provide answers to decisions that can be backed by facts, provided that ethical problems are solved . In this scenario ethical issues can be solved by collecting and using facts and knowledge such as receiving federal and private support in terms of setting polices and funding requirements ,educating public and get their thoughts and beliefs across to the public via television, newspapers and the Internet, conducting surveys . With knowledge one can create a true opinion about an issue and make their own justifiable views. Overall I believe that stem cell research is beneficial. After researching deeper in to it I have come to realize that the good outweigh the bad. When people are not using embryos which are being just discarded why not use them for some good? The loss of life could help save another. In my eyes that is extremely beneficial in a world today where diseases are growing and we need to have cures. References Australia Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002/guidelines/publications/hc38 Barker, R. A., de Beaufort, I. (2013). Scientific and ethical issues related to stem cell research and interventions in neurodegenerative disorders of the brain.Progress in neurobiology,110, 63-73. Christopher A. Walsh, MD, PhD. (2016).Hsci.harvard.edu. Retrieved 9 September 2016, from https://hsci.harvard.edu/people/christopher-walsh-md-phd EuroStem Cell, (2011). Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Ethical Dilemma. Retrieved from https://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embryonic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma Gold, R. B. (2004). Harper, J., Geraedts, J., Borry, P., Cornel, M. C., Dondorp, W. J., Gianaroli, L., ... Morris, M. (2014). Current issues in medically assisted reproduction and genetics in Europe: research, clinical practice, ethics, legal issues and policy.Human Reproduction, deu130. Lowenthal, J., Lipnick, S., Rao, M., Hull, S. C. (2012). Specimen collection for induced pluripotent stem cell research: harmonizing the approach to informed consent.Stem cells translational medicine,1(5), 409-421. Mosser, K. (2010). Introduction to ethics and social responsibility. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education,Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)/guidelines/publications/e72 Nowakowski, T. J., Pollen, A. A., Di Lullo, E., Sandoval-Espinosa, C., Bershteyn, M., Kriegstein, A. R. (2016). Expression analysis highlights AXL as a candidate Zika virus entry receptor in neural stem cells.Cell stem cell,18(5), 591-596. Panno, J. (2014).Stem cell research: medical applications and ethical controversy. Infobase Publishing. Science Daily. (2012). Adult Stem Cells. Retrieved fromhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/adult_stem_cell.htm Stem cell information. The National Institute of Health. Available https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics Stem cell research. Available https://www.bioethics.com/stemcell.asp Stem cell." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.Merriam-Webster Online. 14 November 2009 The misleading debate on stem cell research. August 20, 2004 Available https://www.townhall.com. Thinking About Christopher Reeve and the Legacy We Leave. October 15, 2004 Available https://www.cbhd.org/resources/stemcells/flashing_2004-10-15.htm Vogel, G. (2016). A race to explain Brazil's spike in birth defects.Science,351(6269), 110-111.

Strategic Analysis

Executive Summary This paper provides a strategic analysis of Wal-Mart International. Wal-Mart international is one of the biggest retail chain stores in the world. The company has been growing from strength to strength and now boasts of global leadership among retail chains.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Strategic management implies long term planning and doing everything in an organization with a long-term picture or vision. As defined by Mitzberg et al (1998), strategic planning consists in making long or midterm decisions with the aim of delivering a competitive edge to an organization. Strategic planning is not possible without strategic analysis. Through application of strategic tools, one deploys mechanisms of understanding the organization and the environment within which it operates (Yergin Stanislaw, 2002). Analysis of the business environment is th e primordial function of strategic management (Sadler Craig, 2003). In this paper, Porters Five Forces and PESTEL model are employed towards understanding the market and the macro environment within which Wal-Mart Operates. From the market analysis anchored on the five forces model, it is clear that competition is the biggest headache for Wal-Mart International. The company operates in an environment characterized by high competition. Due to stiff competition, it has had to withdraw from some international markets like South Korea and Germany. The strategies employed by an organization can be based on models and plans or on internal capacity of the organization. Models notwithstanding, the resource based view of strategy holds that organizational resources are the most critical factor in determining a competitive edge (Wernerfelt, 1984). This implies that organizational competencies and capabilities matter a lot when it comes to defining a competitive edge. A SWOT analysis done on Wal-Mart reveals that it has many strengths and hence competencies. The company has an international presence, a strong work force and employs modern information technology platforms to remain ahead of competition. In terms of revenue, the organization is one of the highest revenue earners in the world. In the last year alone, the organization had a 15.4 billion (US dollars) as net revenue. The SWOT matrix on Wal-Mart reveals that it has enough strengths as well as opportunities that put it is a strong competitive position. The opportunities further offer a huge potential for growth. Based on identified characteristics of the organization and the business environment within which it operates, managers adopt given strategies. Tools like the BCG matrix, the GE matrix or the grand strategy matrix are helpful when identifying the kind of strategies to adopt for a company (Ulwick, 2000). The grand strategy matrix was used in identifying the kind of strategies Wal-Mart can employ going in to the future.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the grand strategies matrix, the organization falls in the high market growth and strong competitive position quadrant. This implies that the organization can adopt both market consolidation strategies and market growth strategies. The market consolidation strategies will help it keep and retain its traditional market while the growth strategies will enable it to tap into promising markets; especially the international market. Choice of strategies is an important step; however, there should be policies and mechanism that support adopted strategies. Considering suggested strategies for Wal-Mart, this paper recommends that the management ensure internal consistency of strategies adopted. Internal consistency ensures that the strategies are not in conflict and can thus be harmoniously implemented (Ulwick, 2000). Furthermore, the re is need to ensure that the strategies are organizationally fit and an environmentally fit. Organizationally fit strategies are those that respond to organizational characteristics. Environmentally fit strategies are those that respond to business environment characteristics. Introduction This paper explores benefits and limitations to strategic management. To appraise the benefits of strategic management, this paper discusses in depth how the different aspects of strategic management are applied. To concretize the analysis of strategic management, the paper focuses on Wal-Mart International, which is one of the world’s most successful retail chains. Wal-Mart International has grown steadily to have its presence felt all over the world. Wal-Mart has experienced phenomenal growth since inception due to embracing strategic management practices. Most successful organizations make strategic planning central to their operations (Sanchez Heene, 2004, p. 23). The main aim of work ing on a strategic plan or business plan is to identify ways and means through which an organization can guarantee good results, a competitive edge or a competitive advantage in the long term (Ulwick, 2000, p. 11). A strategic process should be able to help a company or an organization to understand its current situation, identify a desirable future status and ways of ensuring it arrives at its desired status or end (Wernerfelt, 1984, p. 174). Wal-Mart already has a vision, mission and overriding objectives. This is critical because the strategic process begins by identifying or framing the desired future. The future of an organization is captured in its vision, mission and strategic objectives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Analysis of Wal-Mart International’s Business Environment The process of analyzing a business environment requires looking at dif ferent facets. To do a proper business analysis, one would have to employ such tools as SWOT analysis, Five Forces model by Porter, Global model or PESTEL, the BCG matrices, competitive profile and Value chain analysis, among others (Joyce Woods, 2001, p.233). These tools help in analysis of both the internal and external environment to establish how factors in either environment are affecting or are likely to affect the organization. From the internal environment, the strengths and weakness of the organization are identified for the purposes of defining how best to restructure the organization. From factors in the external environment, the key success factors for the company are adequately mapped out. Porters’ Five Forces: Market Analysis Porter’s five forces are helpful in understanding the market within which Wal-Mart operates. According to Porter, an organization or products performance is dependent on five distinct forces. Threat of new entrants Wal-Mart does not deal in much differentiated products. Therefore, the threat of new entrants is very high. Moreover, given the entrance and exit barriers in the retail industry, the threat of new entrants is present. Threat of substitutes Given the stores provide an array of products, the threat of substitutes is not a big issue in the retail chain industry. However, in individual products, some stores tend towards selling exclusive brands. This creates a challenge in terms of customers going for substitute brands in exclusive stores. Supplier power Considering supplier power in the retail industry, there are many suppliers thus minimizing supplier power. However, the fact that there are many institutions also targeting the produces gives suppliers relative power. For instance, in the grocery business, there are so many competing grocery stores. Despite suppliers being numerous as well, the competition for supplies among supermarkets and retail chains gives suppliers some relative power. Buyer powe r Buyers, in the retail business, have enormous power due to many retailers and a variety of substitutes. Consequently, it is the stockers like Wal-Mart that have to work on value addition and proper market propositions to attract customers.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Competitor Rivalry Therefore, the greatest limit to Wal-Mart’s growth is likely to result from competition activity and customer perception of the competition rivalry. Wal-mart has quite a wide range of competition. The biggest competitors of Wal-Mart are a wide range of departmental stores especially in the US, Canada and Mexico. Moreover, there is quite a number of supermarket chains especially in Eastern parts of the United States. Numerous smaller supermarkets in each locality provide substitute services as well. Examples of small stores that provide immense competition to Wal-Mart include Dollar stores and grocery stores especially in the US. In the foreign markets, Wal-Mart faces stiff competition from local firms. In Germany, the competition was so stiff that Wal-Mart had to withdraw from the German market in 2006. The same happened in South Korea, due to fierce competition, the company had to withdraw by selling its stores to a local firm. PESTEL Analysis: Other succe ss Factors in the Business Environment Further, A PESTEL analysis can help in outline other factors likely to affect the performance of Wal-Mart. Political Factors In the US, Wal-Mart has had no problems due to political interests. There is no opposition to Wal-Mart’s foray into intentional markets (Fishman, 2006). However, changing political interests in different countries have to inform the company’s operations. The company has to be alive to political issues in each particular company and align its operations to host country policies. Economic Factors Wal-Mart thrives on free market systems in the countries in which it operates. Additionally, the fact that it enjoys huge economies of scale due its huge operations places it in an economically advantaged position. Socio-Cultural Factors The company through using proper strategies especially in the international market has been able to align itself to the social-cultural realities in its area of operation. For example , the company has registered relative success in China because of aligning its operations with the preferences of the locals. This is very critical because social perceptions matter a lot in determining organizational success. Technological Factors Wal-Mart is better placed than all other retail stores in the new markets having adopted IT in its logistical processes (Bianco, 2007). Therefore, using its economic advantage and awesome business strategy, Wal-Mart enters other international markets as is able to outwit competition in those markets; consequently, it became a dominant global player. Environmental Factors Wal-Mart is a company that is a live to green strategies. To appeal to customers that are eco-conscious, Wal-Mart strives to store green goods. Moreover, through investing in efficient technology, Wal-Mart has been able to reduce all forms of bad environmental impacts it may have resulting from its operations. Legal Factors Through having clean and properly tailored opera tions, Wal-Mart has been able to steer away from any legal issues in the recent past. The organization has a professional legal department that analyses and responds to legal challenges. The aim of having such a department is to ensure the company complies to legal requirements in area of operation. An Analysis of the Company’s Resources, Capabilities and Distinctive Competencies Wal- Mart’s Capital and Revenue Base Wal-mart is one of the leading global retail chains. It has a formidable capital base and boasts of a well-established tradition that gives it an edge over competition. Given its wide capital base, Wal-Mart is also one of the biggest earners in the world. Forbes ranks it among the 20 biggest and most profitable organizations on planet earth. In the last financial year, Wal-Mart netted 15.4 billion US dollars as net revenues. Despite registered gains, Wal-Mart can only continue extraordinary growth when it identifies and manages strengths, opportunities, wea kness and threats creatively (Mintzberg et al, 1998, p. 100). To consolidate its market share while still growing, Wal-mart needs to capitalize on its strengths, tapping into opportunities in the market, addressing weaknesses and eliminating or minimizing threats. A SWOT analysis is an important tool towards understanding a business’ environment (Ireland et al, 2008, p. 45). To help bring out Wal-Marts strengths, competencies and challenges, a SWOT analysis is informative. Wal-Mart’s SWOT Matrix Strengths High sales (strong brand) Large market IT enabled logistical functions Diverse (international) work force Long tradition of operations (42 years) Good pricing strategy The biggest private employer Largest public company by revenue Weaknesses Store format not appealing in other settings Technology deployment issue Human capital issues Internationalization related challenges e.g. stiff competition from local firms Opportunities International markets E-commer ce Large super store opportunities Threats Vigorous, focused competition Price fluctuations SWOT analysis on Wal-Mart based Yoffie (2005) Extrapolation from SWOT Analysis As shown in the SWOT analysis, Wal-Mart has quite a number of competencies. It is one of the largest retail store chains in the world. It has largely diversified by going into areas like grocery stores. It has an international presence and boasts of a huge employee base. A company’s growth is limited both by internal and external factors (Peteraf, 1993, p. 178). Internal Factors/ Internal Environment Based on the SWOT analysis, considering internal factors, the only limitation to Wal-Mart’s growth is challenge in managing a global conglomerate of sorts. Externally, social and cultural perceptions are likely to shape and limit Wal-Marts expansion. Wal-Mart employs very many people. As it continues on the path of extraordinary growth, it means more people being employed to work in the branches a nd subsidiaries or joint ventures. Managing all the people and the multifaceted conglomerate will not be ease. In actual sense, unless the organization is fragmented such that given regions or lines become completely independent, managing the organization becomes a nightmare. Therefore, the extraordinary growth of Wal-Mart is likely to be checked by management complexities or challenges. External Factors/ External Environment On the external front, there is likely to grow a sort of disenchantment about Wal-Mart and its conglomerate size. For many individuals out there, although Wal-Mart is growing based on honest and best business practices, as it continues to whoop in billions in profits; inevitably, seeds of discontent will sprout among people of different nations. Wal-Marts growth will be interpreted as the reason why small businesses can no longer develop or grow. A percentage of the world population does not like identifying with Mega things (Dess et al, 2009, p. 227). Therefor e, they will continue to seek small specialty brands rather than a mega brand that promises everything. For some people, small specialized is identical to personalized, caring and detailed thus more quality conscious (Sadler Craig, 2003, p. 66). Such like sentiments are likely to make competition buoyant. Other people will just desert Wal-Mart in search of difference or something new. The products may not be new but given they buy from a new brand, the shopping experience is different. Wal-Mart’s Options and possible Strategic Choices There are a number of strategic tools that can be used in determining the strategic direction for a company. To discern the strategic direction for Wal-mart, the grand strategy matrix comes in handy. Grand Strategy Matrix Weak Competitive Position High Market Growth Strong Competitive Position 1 Product development Market development Market penetration Horizontal/vertical integration Liquidation/Divestiture 3 Product development Market de velopment Backward and forward integration Diversification 2 Diversification Integration Liquidation Retrenchment Divestiture 4 Diversification Integration Joint Ventures Divestiture Low Market Growth Grand Strategy Matrix adopted from Joyce Woods (2001). Quadrants in the Grand Strategy Matrix The grand strategy matrix above provides a number of possible strategic choices for an organization. The first quadrant applies to an organization that has a weak competitive position and a high market growth. Such a company has opportunities and thus efforts have to be geared towards penetrating the market. Market penetration can be achieved when products are developed, markets are activated and the organization diversifies its product portfolio. The second quadrant signifies an organization that is not competitive and has no growth prospects. Such an organization does not offer much hope and it is only prudent to either diversify, seek out strategic alliances to breathe life into the company or to liquidate the company. The third quadrant signifies an ideal company that is both strong competitively and in terms of market growth. Such a company utilizes the opportunities available for growth e.g. integration while at the same time trying to consolidate or lock in customers through concentric diversification. The final quadrant signifies an organization that has a strong competitive position but low market growth. Such an organization needs use either rejuvenation strategies or market consolidation strategies. Rejuvenation or consolidation is possible through diversification, integration or through strategic alliances. Wal-Mart’s Position in the Grand Strategy Matrix Wal-Mart’s characteristics make more befitting the quadrant three strategies. As an organization, it has a very strong competitive position. The organization has a high growth rate and there are enough opportunities for growth in the international market. This means that with proper str ategies, the organization can consolidate its market while increasing it at the same time. Strategic Options/ Strategic Direction Wal-mart already has a vision and mission that defines the organization’s aspirations and its purpose or key business functions. As an organization, it has a high market scope and a high low cost competence. The organization’s characteristics and the business environment should determine the kind of strategies that an organization adopts. In the case of Wal-Mart, by adopting multivariate strategy e.g. combining product differentiation, cost leadership and proper market segmentation, it can maintain its extraordinary growth. The two grand strategies should be translated into business objectives that are further translated into operational objectives and strategies. Building and sustaining a competitive advantage is largely dependent on product characteristics, value for customer’s money and proper positioning and targeting of products. In porter’s generic strategies, market segmentation looks at customer peculiarities and narrows concern to particular markets. Product differentiation and cost leadership as strategies are more diverse and broader in their scope. As Wal-mart’s characteristics show clearly, a good fusion of these generic strategies should enable it to continue growing in an extraordinary way (Bianco, 2007). Wal-Mart is a strong brand developed over many years and supported by over 42 years experience as a major market player (Yoffie, 2005, p. 1). It has a high market share and due to expanded operations benefits immensely from economies of scale. Management, by riding on its huge market share and well-built brand resonance, can create more revenue streams under the same brand. The company is already doing this through creation of superstores with a variety of products on offer (Yoffie, 2005, p. 1). There exists opportunities in the international market. However, in as much as the low p ricing strategy has driven its growth in America, the company has to devise market segmentation strategies to enjoy opportunities abroad. One weakness with Wal-Mart is its store formats (Yoffie, 2005, p. 2). It is getting stiff competition because while it is building super stores, competition is going for specialized store formats. Product differentiation comes in handy here so that as competition from specialized stores grows, Wal-Mart retains and grows its market share. Wal-Mart needs to appreciate the growth potential in small stores like the ones it initially had; the stores it is replacing with super stores. Although having superstores has its own advantages, a fusion of superstores and small-specialized stores should guarantee continued extraordinary growth (Fishman, 2006). Structures, Systems and Policies for Strategy Implementation Policy on Internal Consistency in Strategies In implementing strategies, their internal consistency thus plausibility and feasibility should gui de the implementation process (Joyce Woods, 2001, 113). Therefore, each strategy has to be adopted based on a clear strategic direction that the company wishes to adopt. If the strategic direction is not clear, there is danger of running conflicting strategies. For instance, market consolidation tends to be in conflict with market expansion strategies. Wal-mart as a company with a strong competitive base and growth prospects has to do market consolidation while penetrating other markets and growing its market internationally. To be able to do this, strategy implementation has to be monitored and evaluated for the purposes of ensuring internal consistency in the strategies. Strategies have to be broken into specific actions that deliver on strategic objectives. There has to be interrelation and consistence in the specific actions flowing from each adopted strategy. Each strategy should somehow have a bearing on other strategies i.e. they should mutually and intrinsically be compleme ntary towards the same goals. The intrinsic consistency of strategies translates into the internal consistency in the specific actions to be carried out during implementation. This inner consistency and plausibility gives a sequence or order in which the implementation is to be done. Monitoring and Evaluation Even as implementation is done, it is critical that monitoring and evaluation is instituted. The strategic process is not complete without strategic control (Dess et al, 2009, p. 234). Strategic control consists in putting in place long term measures that would ensure deviations are identified and corrected. There are always changes in the environment. Therefore, in as much as one may have a great plan and strategies in place, the environmental changes require close monitoring. Monitoring helps identify ways of improving on strategy or correcting deviations from strategy (Yergin Stanislaw, 2002). It is only through such a process that strategies are applied effectively. There are about five elements of control i.e. there is the activity or item to be controlled, the performance indicator, the standard against which performance is compared, the corrective action to be taken in case of deviations and the individual who is to take the corrective action (Morden, 2004, p. 165). All these elements have to be identified during strategic planning and proper directions given with respect to each of them (Morden, 2004, p. 165). Organizational Structure An organizational structure is a critical component that determines operations and power spread in an organization. For an organization to achieve its objectives, the organization structure has to be one that allows or facilitates the same. The organizational structure shows how power is shared and balanced in an organization. It forms the central channels of communication and gives the basic reporting structure or official communication channels followed in an organization. The way an organization is systematically designed, planned and arranged determines how effectively and efficiently operations are done in the organization. Strategic control in a conglomerate like Wal-Mart is not easy. However, through standardization of procedures and operations, this can be achieved. To ensure proper monitoring and evaluation, Wal-Mart managers would have to consider setting up a special restructuring team. The restructuring/ strategy team would have to receive daily, weekly and monthly reports on implementation activities. Such a feedback mechanism handled by a special M E team would ensure earlier identification of deviations and prompt corrections Usefulness of Strategic Management Models for Company Analysis This paper explored the benefits and limitations of strategic management. For better appraisal of the strategic process, Wal-Mart International was used. From the discussions based on Wal-Mart, it is clear that strategic management helps guarantee an organization long-term result. Clearly, prop er planning is critical and no organization succeeds without planning. However, environmental changes or not scanning the environment properly limits planning efforts. Due to poor environmental scanning, organizations come up with plans based on wrong data. Environmental Scanning To scan the environment is important however, the data generated is only useful if it is analyzed and properly employed in decision-making. Using models like the SWOT matrix, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are easily identified from data collected. Moreover, using models like PESTEL analysis, other factors that are important for the organizational success are identified. This helps towards crafting strategies that properly respond to the business environment and organizational characteristics. Using models like the Grand Strategy Matrix, the planners are able to easily identify the most viable kind of strategies to employ. Strategic Analysis and Adoption of Proper strategies As discuss ed, detailed planning cannot be accomplished unless one answers the question of â€Å"where to†. Therefore, in strategic management starts in deciding on the long term aspirations of an organization. The long-term aspirations are largely captured through an organization’s vision, mission and strategic objectives. Once the strategic objectives are clear, the organization then considers the necessary changes, steps, or plans that will enable the realization of the same (Kay, 2001, p. 113). Such tactics or plans are widely known as strategies. Strategy implementation is only successful if the strategies have been selected rationally. The strategies have to complement organizational resources, respond accurately to the organizational environment and have internal consistency. Finally, it is clear that strategic management is not complete without the element of control. Conclusion In conclusion, every organization that adopts proper strategic management reaps awesome result s in terms of market share growth and profitability. As the analysis on Wal-Mart has shown, strategic management makes all the difference. Through strategic management, an organization is able to curve out clear long term and midterm plans that deliver on set organizational objectives. To come up with desirable strategies or plans, the use of given strategic tools makes work easy and systematic. References Bianco, A., 2007. Wal-Mart: The Bully Of Bentonville: How The High Cost Of Everyday Low Prices Is Hurting America. Doubleday: New York Dess. G., G., Lumpkin, G., T., Eisner, A., 2009. Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantages. McGraw-Hill: London Fishman, C., 2006. 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