A Philosophical Assessment

A Philosophical Assessment in Kauchak & Eggen: Chapter 7 (Examining Your Beliefs). Lance DeLong Of the four philosophies of education; Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism and Social reconstructionism, the one that seem to best fit my fundamental beliefs would be reflected in Essentialism philosophy. This is, because I believe that the role of the public school system is to teach students essential elements of knowledge that then in turn enables the student to development critical thinking skills associated with advanced critical thinking.These learned skills can only be applied after a student has gained the knowledge necessary to function effectively in society, and only after he understands that society can he make critical decisions relating to that society. The dilemmas identified in the situation posed by the text book exercise; â€Å"Decision Making: Developing Your Philosophy of Education†, can be analyzed through the perspective of this educational philosophy as such: The basic premise of what are the responsibilities of the education system and how we achieve critical thinking speaks to the issues presented in the first part of this exercise.The essence of understanding what one is thinking about and making decisions on, must first be established in in the students mind, would be my opinion. Essentialism, is the idea that centers around basic truths that must be learned in order for students to engage and participate in such activates. Essentialism is a belief that life is a series of building blocks and certain truths must be learned that allows the student to achieve advancement and an understanding of the society and the culture in which they are making decision on.This philosophy must also be looked at in the light of our Christian world view and the Bible. The Bible must be the basis and reflection of all philosophical truth. Paul warns us in Col. 2:8, â€Å"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ†. Though not all worldly philosophies are deceiving and drawing us away from Christ, I believe that any that question the basic tenants of education set forth in the scripture to be contrary to said and easily disassociated.The basic principle acknowledged by essentialists is that there are essential truth and those truths are to be imparted in the educational system. While absolute truths are communicated through scripture and basic academic truths regarding history, English, mathematics, and literature are the basis for this philosophy; one must acknowledge this, to be the basic responsibility of an educational system, imparting absolutes, to be an essentialist. Other educational philosophies that foster the process of discovering truth rather than acknowledging truth must be recognized for what they are â€Å"vain deceit†.Another principle the essentialists would hold true to, is that learni ng requires discipline and usually is accomplished through hard work. This seems to be negatively reflected in the situation presented in the text book. The students in the example seem to have been the product of a system that does not teach personal discipline and hard work as evidenced in their attitude for a quick solution and desire to learn just what is required to get by.If these students had been exposed to a system associated with discipline and hard work and that was the standard, questions such as â€Å"why do we have to learn this stuff† would not have been posed and comments such as â€Å"C’mon just tell us what you want us to know† would not need to be made because students would have learned that hard work and discipline produces usually positive results. It seems that these students have been given and have not learned to work for their education.If these foundational principles had been instilled into these students through a disciplined learnin g environment they would not have been left to their own devises as it seems these students have, but would have developed a deliberate regimented method to learning one that would have been measured and proved though testing. Also, in the situation presented, there seemed to be an element of disrespect associated to the system and the teacher. The element of submission to authority has not been instilled in the students.Paul tells us in I Peter 5:5, â€Å"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble†, the element of authority and the respect thereof has seemingly not been established in this learning environment. The essentialist recognizes the traditional teacher centered philosophy where the respect for authority is the basis for the importance of the information being communicated.The imparting of knowledge, information, and skill s from the older (presumably wiser) generation to the younger one is imperative in this philosophy. The teacher's responsibility is not only to impart those mentioned elements of basic education, but also to instill respect for authority, and moral norms as deemed acceptable in a society. The situation described in said scenario seems to be a reoccurring dilemma recognized in our public school systems today. This seems not to be a need to redefine the educational system, but a need to readdress roles and responsibilities.Going back to the principles of the founder of the essentialist educational theory, William C. Bagley seems to be the answer. His basis principles of â€Å"the recognized right of an immature student to the guidance of a well-educated, caring, and cultured teacher†, would seemed to have resolved the assumed attitude of the students in question of non-importance of education. That â€Å"the imparting of the ideals of community to each succeeding generation of children†, would have resolved the issue of respect for the teaching system and teacher and would have fostered the feeling of community and society. Having a specific program of studies that required thoroughness, accuracy, persistence, and good workmanship on the part of pupils†, would have set the precedence and provide the students specifically with what was required of them. I would agree with Professor Bagley’s’ statement of â€Å"(American) essentialism is grounded in a conservative philosophy that accepts the social, political, and economic structure of American society and schools should not try to radically reshape society†.I hold to the same thought that American schools should transmit the traditional moral values and intellectual knowledge and those students need to become model citizens. I hold to the basic tenant that when a student leaves school that they should possess basic skills and an extensive body of knowledge, discipline and a practical mind that then allows them to apply school house lessons in a real and practical world. Finally I believe the American school system is in decline as evidenced in the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).The results of these test showed that only about one third of American students exhibited proficiency in technology and science. â€Å"Living in the past† is the phrase I will use as some reflect on the fact that in the 1950s SAT scores reached an all-time high as reflected by the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), surveying Adults 16-65 relating not to math and science but literacy. As years go by statistics continue to drop. The current administration has promised even more spending on their â€Å"Race to the Top† initiative with seeming little or no positive results.Some will find excuses for the decline, but it seems to me that the progressive mind set relating to current educational philosophies is not necessarily working an d that a return to traditional values and proven theories of education would be prudent to return to. A philosophical model of education that reflects the principles of ultimate truths do not change and that sound conservative practices of essentialism seems be the basis for this return.

Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Research Essay

In psychology, answers to our questions are not as succinct as in other types of sciences, and the findings essentially depend upon the underlying epistemology used. This essay seeks to define and examine the fields of qualitative and quantitative research. It will address the different epistemologies and methodologies of each paradigm, and aim to give you a brief overview of the two main research methods underlying scientific knowledge. Qualitative research is often only defined in contrast to Quantitative research; That is, it does not involve statistics, nor does it depend on the level of objectivity that characterises the quantitative approach. While quantitative research aims to categorise participants in numerical form by creating statistical models to answer specific hypothesises; Qualitative research does not start with a specific hypothesis, instead it seeks to understand behaviours, and experiences (McQueen & Knussen, 2013, p.422). Qualitative researchers tend to operate un der different epistemological beliefs than that of quantitative researchers. Unlike quantitative researchers who use fixed instruments with little flexibility, Qualitative researchers allow questions to emanate and reshape themselves as the research unfolds (Krauss, 2005, p. 759). The qualitative researcher is engaged in the world they investigate, creating an unstructured and reflective element to the research, where the researchers’ knowledge, emotive interactions, and past experiences all form a part of the research (Ponterotto, 2010, p.583). According to Guba and Lincoln (as cited in Ponterotto, 2005, p.128) there are four main research paradigms: postpositivism, constructivism-interpretivism and the critical-ideological and positivism perspective. Of these four paradigms, positivism is solely adopted in the quantitative approach, whereas the three remaining paradigms are utilised in the qualitative approach (Ponterotto, 2010, p.581). Postpositivism is based on critical realism, and uses traditional qualitative methods, in as quantifiable manner as is possible. Postpositivists believe that although there is a reality independent of  human consciousness, one can never truly capture an objective view of this reality (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Postpositivists maintain that although the researcher may have some influence on the research, the maintenance of objectivity remains crucial in the research process (Ponterotto, 2005, p.131). Whilst the postpositive paradigm adopts a modified dualist/objectivist approach, the constructivism-interpretivism paradigm is based on relativism. Constructivists consider reality to be experienced differently by each individual, as opposed to being an external and singular reality. (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Ponterotto (2005) considers the constructivist paradigm as transactional and subjective, making the interaction between the researcher and participant cardinal in capturing the â€Å"lived experience†; with the researcher and participant, together, construct the findings from their interactions (Pont erotto, 2005, p.129-131). Like constructivists, the criticalists conclude that reality is constructed within a social-historical context, the difference being, that criticalists conceive reality through power relations and use their research to understand victims of oppression and seek to uncover structures of power (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131). The researcher’s values play a key role, as participant empowerment and emancipation are the researcher’s goal. Relationships between researchers and participants are subjective and transactional with the relationship being dialectic in nature (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131). In contrast to the qualitative paradigms, the main feature of quantitative research is that it mirrors the natural sciences by adopting a positivist approach which is dualist and objective in nature. Positivism assumes the hypothetico-deductive method, that is, researchers start out with a research question and hypothesis, and then formulate a way of measuring or proving it (Ponterotto, 2005, p.128). Ponterotto (2005) further states that the aim of quantitative research is the prediction, and control of variables that can be expressed as mathematical formulas to determine functional relationships. These differing ontological approaches bring to pass differing methodological approaches. Methodology re fers to the processes and procedures of the research. Research methods used include observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, case studies, questionnaires and analysis of text (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132). Observational research is non-experimental research where a researcher observes ongoing behaviour. It  can be unstructured, semi-structured, structured, participant or non-participant (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). Some limitations to this type of research are language and cultural barriers as well as the risk of observer bias, with one of the advantages being that the researcher gains access to information they normally wouldn’t have. Observation is typically used in qualitative research, but can be used in quantitative research prior to designing questionnaires (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). As with observation, interviews and focus groups can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured, and can use photographs, notes, videos and tape recordings to improve data quality. Interviewing allows the researcher to guide and prompt things that we cannot observe, it also allows us to get an understanding of the participant’s account of the phenomenon (W ellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Some limitations can be the use of vague questions, and excessive prompting and questioning by the interviewer, which can distort the quality of data. Interviewing is typically utilised in qualitative research, but can be used in quantitative research using closed ended questions (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Another form of methodology is that of Case studies which are an in depth observations of a single subject, or a small group of individuals. Case studies are deemed useful in trying to understand complex psychological phenomenon that either are not well understood or cannot be replicated experimentally (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). Two concerns of using this methodology is observer bias and generalisability due to the small sample size, however, this can be overcome by using a multi-case-study method. This methodology is typically used in qualitative research, however, can also be used in quantitative research (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). As with case studies, questionnaires and surveys are a form of descriptive research. It involves questions about behaviours and beliefs using a larger sample size (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). One limitation is the lack of interpretive opportunity, and unintended systemic bias. Surveys and questionnaires are largely used in quantitative research using close ended questions, but can be used in qualitative research using open ended questions. (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). The main difference between the fields of study emerge when we look at the methodologies of data analysis. Frost (2011) identifies four main methods of data analysis in  qualitative research, these are grounded theory, interpretive phenomenology (IPA), discourse analysis, and narrative analysis. Grounded theory entails creating categories and themes and then conducting comparative analysis to generate hypothesis. IPA analyses data by endeavouring to make sense of the participant’s experiences by coding reoccurring patterns and meanings throughout the text. Discourse analysis involves analysing and deconstructing spoken, written, or any significant semiotic event and assigning meaning to it. Narrative analysis focuses on the way people use stories to interpret and give mean ing to the world and provides a useful way for the researcher to explore and describe realities (Frost, 2011, p. 19-94). Two other forms of methodology commonly used, but not discussed here, are ethnography and action research. (McQueen & Knussen, 2013, pp.430-433). Conversely, the core concepts of quantitative research are generalizability, reliability, objective measurement, and validity, coupled with three types of research methods including correlational designs, experimental designs, and descriptive designs (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp.91-108). Whereas correlation and descriptive designs involves identifying the relationship between two variables, experimental designs allow researchers to make claims of casual inference, which looks at which variable is the cause and which is the effect (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp.91-108). Quantitative data is analysed using statistical analysis which is made up of descriptive and inferential statistics, and include the, T-test, correlation, standard deviation, mode, mean, and median and chi-square (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp47-100). In summary, qualita tive and quantitative research methods have a lot to offer in psychological research, but with every research approach there are strengths and weaknesses. Whilst some theorists argue that psychological research can be distorted by subjectivity, others argue that not all human behaviour and thinking is always strictly logical. Whilst qualitative methods are more time consuming and harder to carry out, they emphasise validity and data quality; and while quantitative methods are often thought of as rigid and providing limited data, it ensures reliability (Hayes, 2000 pp. 169-170). It can be seen from the above discussion that different research questions, require different research approaches. Susan O’Neill (1999) conducted a qualitative case study to examine facets of a women’s personality and  subjectivity in her interpretation of living with OCD. The research was conducted in two semi-structured interviews. In the first interview the participant was asked to tell her story about living with OCD. A discursive analysis was then conducted on the narrative and presented to her in the second interview; she was then asked to analyse her reactions to the analysis and provide further clarifications, which identified different aspects of personality of OCD sufferers not previously identified. This study demonstrates the value of using reflexive interviews in order to get a deeper understanding of the participant. In contrast, a study conducted by Porche et al. (2012) in which cognitive performance was tested in methadone patients would not be suitable for qualitative methods. This research utilised tasks to measure psychomotor performance, memory, attention and executive function. Due to the nature of the research and measurement tools used, it would only be suitable to undertake this research as quantitative. In conclusion psychological researchers should clearly understand the study’s purpose and goals before looking at methodology and paradigms to ensure they use a paradigm suitable for the research goal or even consider using mixed research designs. It is also important to understand that the quality of the research is anchored to the correct use or combination of research paradigms, which ultimately should complement and support the research goal (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132). References Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2012). Psychology: 3rd Australian and New Zealand edition. Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons. Frost, N. (2011). Qualitative research methods in psychology: Combining core approaches. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Hayes, N. (2000). Doing psychological research. Buckingham: Open University Press. Krauss, S. E. (2005). Research paradigms and meaning making: A primer. The Qualitative Report, 10(4), 758-770. Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR10-4/krauss.pdf McQueen, R. A., & Knussen, C. (2013). Introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology: A practical guide for the undergraduate researcher (2nd ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. O’neill, S. (1999). Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case study of a woman’s construction of self. Counselling Psychology Quarterly 12(1) 73-86. doi: 10.1080/09515079908254079 Ponterotto, J. G. (2002). Qualitative research methods: The fifth force in psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 30(3) 394-406. doi: 10.1177/0011000002303002 Ponterotto, J. G. (2005). Qualitative research in counseling psychology: A primer on research paradigms and philosophy of science. Journal of Counseling Psychology 52(2), 126-136. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.126 Ponterotto, J. G. (2010). Qualitative research in multicultural psychology: Philosophical underpinnings, popular approaches, and ethical considerations. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(4), 581-58. doi:10.1037/a0012051 Porche, H. K., Umbricht, A., Klevkamp, B. A., Vandrey, R., Strain, E. C., Bigelow, G. E., & Mintzer, M. Z. (2012). Comparison of cognitive performance in methadone maintenance patients with and without current cocaine dependence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 124 (1-2) 167-171. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.12.009 Wellington, J. & Szczerbinski, M. (2007). Research methods for the social sciences. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com VanderStoep, S.W., &Johnson, D. D. (2008). Research methods for everyday life: blending qualitative and quantitative approaches. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

A Contrast Between the Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell and Salems Lot by Stephen King

A Contrast Between the Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell and 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King Rationalizing the Supernatural in Horror Novels Stephen King, often declared the greatest and most successful contemporary horror novelist wrote that, â€Å"the great literature of the supernatural often contains the same ‘let’s slow down and look at the accident’ syndrome.† (King, Nightshift xv). This refers to the guilty fascination readers feel as they are captivated by the gruesome details of horror literature. Both Alden Bells’ The Reapers are the Angels and Stephen King’s own ‘salem’s Lot rely on the phenomenon to create an enthralling story. Most people cannot deny that they feel compelled to admire a tragic wreck that is completely out of the ordinary, and this same instinct makes horror literature, like those mentioned, so successful. When in a car wreck, survivors are concerned with their safety and survival and can’t fully take in the details of the situation. Others who drive by, however, tend to slow down and look at the wreck, because they aren’t in danger and have the mental capacity to look at the details of the wreck. They can consider and comprehend the terrifying accident that happened. Similarly, horror novels allow readers to experience the supernatural and the morbid without being overwhelmed by their own fear, but rather they can inspect and approach the supernatural and morbid rationally. Alden Bell’s novel, The Reapers are the Angels takes place in a world of morbidity. Temple fights for survival in a world that has been mostly taken over by the undead, where â€Å"slugs† or â€Å"meatskins† are hungry for human flesh. She encounters fellow humans, some who help her and some who are enemies, as she moves nomadically throughout the United States. She is distant from characters and rejects living in one home, after the death of her younger brother, Malcolm, who she felt she was solely responsible for. Her world involves constant running and fighting, displaying constant fearlessness as most readers would not survive a day among the undead. Morbid images, involving human flesh, blood and carcasses are a reality for Temple. There are many parts of the horror novel that go into great detail of how a human body is torn apart, something that an ordinary person would never see or experience. One example of this is when part of Temple’s pinky finge r is chopped off, and she is fixing it up again. â€Å"It’s gone just above the first knuckle, a clean cut through the bone that shows as a yellow twig poking through at the end. She uses her other hand to draw the skin up over the end of the bone and pinch it shut like a foreskin†¦ now just run a thread through there a few times and tie it off. It’ll be okay.† (Bell, The Reapers are the Angels Ch. 4) This is situation is really out of the ordinary for most readers, who most likely wouldn’t be able to thread half their finger closed without getting sick. However, Temple’s tone makes this seem like a very normal occurrence. This tone is also expressed when she kills Abraham Todd, thinking, â€Å"Why do the livin and dyin always have to be just half an inch apart? She goes to the desk and takes a ballpoint pen from the drawer and puts the tip of it in his nostril and drives it upward sharp and hard with the heel of her hand to keep him from com ing back.† (Bell, The Reapers are the Angels Ch. 3) Most people aren’t murderers and would be extremely shocked in such a situation; probably too shocked to recount memories or make snarky remarks. Throughout the book, Temple is constantly facing dead bodies and other extremely morbid things, which she describes in great detail to readers. Her responses and feelings during these situations are rational and calm, or at least calmer that any regular person would react. She describes horrifying situations with great detail so that readers can understand and experience the situation; neither Temple nor the reader is too overwhelmed by fear to comprehend the situation of fear. Rather, readers are fascinated by the situation, as Stephen King suggests we do in his forward to Nightshift. ‘salem’s Lot exemplifies the author’s own claim about horror novels. Ben Mears, the main character of the horror novel, is an author staying in his childhood town to research for his new novel. During his stay he makes some friends and attempts to protect the people of the town as they transform into vampires. Without success, he leaves with the one other survivor, leaving the town empty of living humans. The detailed explanations that King uses to describe the morbid occurrences of the story create a novel that captivates readers. One of these occurrences was when Ben staked the vampire of Susan, his girlfriend. â€Å"Death had not put its mark on her. Her face was blushed with color, and her lips, innocent of make-up, were a deep and glowing read. Her forehead was pale but flawless, the skin like cream. Her eyes were closed, and the dark lashes lay snootily against her cheeks†¦ Yet the total impression was not of angelic loveliness but a cold, disconnected beauty.† (King, ‘Salem’s Lot Ch. 14 Pt. 15) The undead are monsters that we expect to appear frightening, but we don’t understand why we would feel frightened by them, until an author like King describes the beauty of a vampire like Susan and we understand why we feel uneasy. Further in the chapter, as Ben is staking her body, â€Å"blood gushed upward from the stake’s point of entry in a bright and astonishing flood, splashing his hands, his shirt, his cheeks. In an instant the cellar was filled with its hot, coppery odor.† This description is fascinating to readers, because in the situation we would not be able to comprehend what was happening, as we would be overwhelmed by fear. When we read about this shocking scene of the story, we experience it without fear distracting us from the details. Readers can slow down the situation and inspect the details of it, similar to how one would slow down to stare at a car wreck. The style and structure of the book itself is filled with extraordinary detail, even though the conclusion of the story is an empty town void of humans. The novel cycles through several different characters’ viewpoints and storylines. When looking at the storyline, many of the details and additional characters would not have actually been necessary in reaching the same conclusion. For example, the story of Dud Rogers, who lived by and maintained the Jerusalem’s Lot’s Town Dump, was described in painful detail. It described his introverted personality, his appreciation of setting the dump on fire, his angry thoughts and his habit of shooting rats (King, ‘Salem’s Lot Ch. 3 Pt. 10). References and connections between Dud and other community members were very rare and insignificant, and his fate was death and rising as a vampire like all the other people of the town, posing the question of whether his role in the book was important. Although it seems rea lly distracting when following the story line, especially because he is only one of many minor characters that each carry their own complicated story and personality, he played a role in the overall effect of the story, along with all of these minor characters. ‘Salem’s Lot is not a story of some individual vampires or even the horrific death of a group of innocent people, but rather how an entire town died. The detail given to characters like Dud contribute to formation of the town. They are important in making readers realize that this is not Ben Mears and his friends’ story, but the story of ‘Salem’s Lot. The detail also contributes to King’s â€Å"slow down and look at the accident† syndrome. With this full understanding of the community, readers can also better comprehend the death of the town. Something so morbid and horrific as the fall of a town to vampires is really irrational and incomprehensible to people, because it is extre mely out of the ordinary and in this case isn’t truly possible. The detail that King’s novel features creates an understandable explanation for this town’s unexplainable and terrifying status, and this is what captures readers. In his forward, King explains why appealing to this obsession with morbidity is effective in attracting readers. Most of our fears are irrational, or the way we approach them is irrational. We know that vampires, zombies and the supernatural do not exist, but we are afraid of them nonetheless. The forward uses an example that most people can relate to; we make sure our entire body is under the covers when we are in bed, in fear of a cold hand reaching out from under the bed, and where this hand may drag us. We can’t comprehend this fear because we feel it despite knowing it is irrational. However, horror novels, like those mentioned, approach these fears in a very rational way, as exemplified by both The Reapers are the Angels and ‘salem’s Lot. The rational descriptions and approaches to supernatural horrors in some horror literature interest readers, because they can finally achieve comprehension of their irrationality. This is fascinating to readers not because they are fascinated by morbidity, death and the supernatural, but because they can understand fears that were previously beyond their understanding. These horror novels are an opportunity for readers to slow down and think about supernatural horrors rationally without being under the influence of their own fear.

Flims Harry Potter and the Avengers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Flims Harry Potter and the Avengers - Essay Example ques in order to enhance the effectiveness of the films, film producers employ numerous emblements including lighting, camera movement, transitions and editing features among many others in order to portray each film as both unique and original (Nelmes, 2003). The discussion below thus analyses the difference in the structures of two films; Harry Potter and The Avengers by analyzing the difference in both the storylines and the unique film production techniques the developers of each film employs. This way, the discussion portrays the similarities and difference in the two films. As stated earlier, films have definite story lines often in a form of narration. This refers to the action and series of events that occur in the film. Just with any other type of literary construction, the film must have a definite structure and flow chronologically in a manner that provides a logical flow of ideas and stories. Film narratives thus have characters who must exhibit appropriate characteristics in order to complement the original ideas of the stories. Among the major and equally distinctive features of the two films is their genres, Harry Potter is a series of eight fantasy films and are film adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s novels of the same tittle while The Avengers is a series of comical films. Fantasy films just as the name suggests are films based on imaginary stories (Serkis, 2003). The author of the novel therefore develops imaginary stories a feature that requires effective construction of conflicts in a logical manner. Logical conflicts help validate the storyline thus enhancing the satisfaction of the audience. The avengers on the other hand is a comical film, this implies that the films main objective is to cause humor. The storyline of the two films thus differ since each strives to achieve different objectives. While The Avengers strives to humor, Harry Potter strives to convenience the audience of the logical nature of the hyperbolic narrative. The Harry

TOBACCO COMPANIES AND PRODUCT SAFETY Assignment

TOBACCO COMPANIES AND PRODUCT SAFETY - Assignment Example Thus it is very important to set a strict code of business or marketing ethics for every company in order to avoid the existence of unethical behavior within the business operations. This is also applicable in the selling of the products or services involving the behavior of the salesman (Carroll and Buchholtz, 2009). Deregulation within various industries has raised the scope of committing unethical activities which in turn have resulted in intense competition between all the companies within the industry. It is the competitive pressure mixed with the uncertainty in the existence which has resulted in compromising with the business ethics by the organizations (Barnett, 2007). There are a large number of evidences claiming that many organizations have violated the ethical rules and regulations within last few years. As the buyers cannot identify or evaluate the purchasing variables or purchasing criteria, it results in giving possible chances for the markets to conduct various unethi cal activities at an increasing rate (Carroll and Shabana, 2010). Because of the unethical activities the organizations seek to achieve short term profits but in a broader aspect it negatively impacts the image, goodwill or reputation of the organization. The organizations that were suspected of performing various unethical activities had also to suffer from the legal terms. The businesses generally perform these sorts of unethical activities for achieving their short term goals or objectives, but there are evidences which claim that it declines their reputation in each and every sphere. The unethical activities might be conducted by the marketers in different manner. They might be providing misleading information to the customers in order to persuade them in their purchasing decisions (Curwen and Whalley, 2005). Another example of performance of unethical activities includes charging higher prices for lower quality of products or services. Thus it can be said that one organization conducts its business performance by unethical means in order to achieve short term profits and they face the consequences hampering their reputation in the latter part (Friedman, 2004). The case study deals with the unethical activities conducted by the tobacco producing companies in United States. It represents how the companies neglected the standards set by the department of justice i.e. DOJ in United States. According to the district judge, if DOJ could prove that the big tobacco producing companies are performing deceptive activities for their short term profit seeking purpose, then they would be penalized strictly and have to pay a heavy amount of money. This paper would be highlighting the moral or ethical issues related to the selling of products or services in the market. The responsibilities or duties of an organization towards its organization are very significant. Theories or literatures would be reviewed for strengthening the entire arguments made in this paper. The pa per would be finding the key issues that might be taken into consideration while solving the case study. It would be starting with an introduction about the duties and responsibilities of an organization towards its consumers. Duties of the Companies There is a big procedure involved in the offering of products or services to the consumers. An organization has to handle a large number of duties for dealing with

Music Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Music - Assignment Example In this manner, the element of rapping is always very common and is almost predominant in nearly all forms of hip hop music (Katz, 2012). This paper is going to explore the origin of the hip hop music, taking into consideration several aspects involving the problems that the youths passed through that may have been responsible for the emergence of the hip hop music. In addition, the paper is going to explore some of the regions where the music genre of Hip hop music was mostly concentrated in the United States, as well as the reasons that may have influenced the rise of the hip hop music. The origin of the hip hop music is attributed to early histories relevant to the problems faced by the youth in America. Such youths saw it fit to spell some of the problems that they faced through rapping alongside the music. Other than rapping, it is important to note that the other characteristic of the hip hop music involves several forms of dancing as well as dancing styles. In connection to the above, it is crucial to note that hip hop music is mostly characterized by such forms of dancing including break dancing. These were some of the ways in which the youths employed in expressing their emotions as well as their problems relevant to the social, political as well as economic challenges that they faced in the regions of America (Flores, 2000). Other than the issue of dancing as well as rapping, the other common elements of the hip hop music includes scratching as well as graffiti writing. These are some of the artistic styles that accompany the issue of hip hop music. It is important to note that the origin of these elements is vested in the culture as well as the age brackets of the people mostly involved in the hip hop music. For instance, most youths are always the ones who mostly revere this musical genre called hip hop. It is of crucial significance to acknowledge the fact

Audit framework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Audit framework - Essay Example Operational audit a review of any part of an organization’s operating procedures and methods for the purpose of evaluating efficiency and effectiveness. And compliance audit – Auditing process is considerably broader than the definition of an audit of historical financial statements and encompasses many attestation and assurance service activities. Definition of auditing is also includes several key words and phrases. In auditing accounting data, the concern is with determining whether recorded information properly reflects the economic events that occurred during the accounting period. Because accounting rules are the criteria for evaluating whether the accounting information is properly recorded, any auditor involved with these data must also thoroughly understand those rules. To do an audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards (criteria) by which the auditor can evaluate the information. Information can and does take many forms. Auditors routinely perform audits of quantifiable information, including companies’ financial statements and individuals’ federal income tax returns. Auditors also perform audits lf more subjective information, such as the effectiveness of computer systems and the efficiency of manufacturing operations. This is a case study for auditing Southern Rock, a high street UK Bank, registered in Southampton. Here audit partner in the firm is â€Å"APMC Auditors† has provided some questions to answer. Answers of the given questions are answered as bellow respectively: The â€Å"going concern† perception is one of the regulatory foundation stone of the financial accounting arena. The spirit of going concern express that the Balance Sheet of a company must be an echo the weight of that company as if it would stay in existence for and beyond the predictable future. In other words, the going concern concept also states that the company would

English writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

English writing - Essay Example Among the biggest differences between China and America are their cultural values and these have been cultivated over a long period. China is an extremely conservative nation with most of the cultural practices of its people being influenced to a certain degree by the teachings of the philosopher Confucius. This influence has been paramount in China for over two millennia and has guided the Chinese nation throughout all its incarnations. The culture of the United States, on the other hand, is very liberal with individuals living their lives as they see fit, making Americans very independent people from a young age. Moreover, Chinese culture dictates that younger people be subservient and submissive towards their elders, obeying them without question. Young Chinese people tend to be obliged to take care of their elders until the latter die and in most cases, elderly Chinese are very revered in the society. This is not necessarily the case in America where younger people tend to live t heir own lives without any consideration to the wishes of their elders (Weston). The elderly people in America tend to be highly independent and often live by themselves; going into homes for the elderly when they can no longer take care of themselves rather than living with their children. Another difference that arises between America and China is on their systems of education, which are in many ways managed diversely. The Chinese system of education tends to be slightly more difficult than that of America because students have to undergo a rigorous system of examinations almost at every level of their education to ensure that they are competent enough to proceed to the next level. The American system, on the other hand, is less rigorous with the number of people whose performance in school is below average being extremely high. In China, parents tend to be very involved in

Do you believe the greatest leaders are born, not made Essay

Do you believe the greatest leaders are born, not made - Essay Example They should be full of charisma and inspirational to the society. Charisma in a leader is pushed by their ego and enables them to spread their doctrines to the people and be able to convince the society that they are superior to the others. A leader should inspire others on matters that pertain the well being of the society. Moreover, the leader should be self assured in order to make the society he/she is leading believe in them and that they can achieve anything (Truexpression, Para 3-4). Born leaders need to be able to anticipate the needs of the people even before they occur; hence a high level of vision needs to be portrayed. They should approach situations with an open mind and acts as a link to the other leaders in societies. They should be well prepared and hard workers, as they will be the mentors of the younger generations who may onetime become leaders. On the other hand, made leaders occur in several way for instance they may be gained through formal education in educational institutions or from experiences in their life. Other made leaders are gained from given situations that occur at a given time needing them to act and lead others. Most of the attributes of leaders who have little formal education comes from skills they gather as they live in their community. Made leaders mostly encourage teamwork through society they are leading as they believe in the power of unity. Made leaders are also excellent communicators, especially a situation leader who arises in the case of crisis to lead the society (Reeves, Para 5). Made leaders recognize the need to better themselves to be able to gain more insight and lead the community they serve. They recognize they are the servants of the people hence need to learn the needs of the community by building a strong bond with the people. Born leaders mostly learn from their experiences or that of others (Truexpression, Para 9). This makes them eager to better themselves and not repeat the

Free

Free Will vs. Determinism Essay Free will and determinism are two opposing beliefs as far as responsibility for outcomes or results is concerned. Free will signifies that as we make choices and decisions by ourselves, we become responsible for the results of our decisions and actions. Determinism, on the other hand, tells that humans have no influence on the future and its events and that human beings’ influence on their future is determined by present and past occurrences. In this writing, we present an analysis of the realities of these two philosophies. We will go through two stories: Daisy Miller, a novel by British author Henry James; and The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story by American writer Charlotte Gilman. Our goal is to find out the extent of free will and determinism. Is reality a mix of these two principles? DAISY MILLER The main characters in this novel are Daisy Miller, a beautiful American girl, and her suitor Winterbourne, also an American. In their encounters in Switzerland and Italy, they fall under the scrutiny of people in the society surrounding them. Daisy’s flirtatious attitude is frowned upon by Mrs. Walker, a fellow American who owns a parlor in Rome. Mrs. Costello, Winterbourne’s conservative aunt, strongly disapproves of Daisy’s because she agreed to date with him after only a half hour of being acquainted with each other. Their Free Will Prevails Over Other People’s Opinions. Daisy is not dissuaded by the disapproving eyes of the other Americans, neither is she affected by the ineffectual attitude of her own mother. Winterbourne, on his part, continues to court Daisy despite the disapproval of his conservative aunt; It is their free will that made them stand against the minds of these other people who could have otherwise, influenced their decisions. Winterbourne could have acceded to his aunt’s desire if he chose to but he followed his own will and pursued courting Daisy. Daisy could have chosen to change her ways to gain the approval of her compatriots considering that they are all in a foreign land but she stuck to her own will to act and behave as she really is, although they can consider her as some sort of an outcast; someone who is not accepted in the society where she moves. Determinism Can Be More Closely Associated with Daisy’s Death. The novel was set in the 19th century during which time, the â€Å"Roman fever† (malaria) was endemic to many Roman neighborhoods. Winterbourne warns Daisy about its dangers upon seeing her in the Colosseum. Daisy rushes home but still, she catches the fever and dies a few days later. She could have been more careful and avoided catching the illness but this could be considered as something that is more out of her own control. This can be compared with accidents which can occur no matter how much care is taken by a person. There are outside forces that can go beyond one’s control. THE YELLOW WALLPAPER This is the story of a wife who falls into complete insanity after being locked up in the upstairs bedroom of a mansion rented by her husband, a physician, so that she can ‘recuperate’ from a ‘temporary nervous depression’ during one summer vacation. Determ inism is Observed from the Outset of the Story. The woman, who narrates this story as a series of journal entries, is locked up inside the bedroom against her will. She could not go out nor see the outside world, nor see her baby. She is completely controlled by actions of her husband. Her Free Will, at the Same Time, Remains Strong Within. Although she has fallen into insanity, her desire for freedom is made manifest by the visions that she sees in the wallpaper, especially the figure of a woman who is trying to escape from the bars of the shadows. In her mind, she has to free the woman in the wallpaper, thus she strips the designs off the wall, later on believing that she is the woman who has escaped from inside the wallpaper. In the end of the story, thinking that she is ‘free at last’, she steps on the unmoving body of her husband, symbolizing that she has triumphed and that her will and desire for freedom has been achieved. SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO WORKS Both â€Å"Daisy Miller† and â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† are set in the 19th century. There were existing conditions at that time that interplayed in the plots of the stories: the Roman fever endemic that caused the death of Daisy Miller and androcentrism or male domination in human affairs that gave power to the physician to lock up his wife. In spite of these factors, the main female characters both carry in them strong wills. In â€Å"Daisy Miller†, the main characters live their lives in the outside world mingling with various personalities, as contrasted with the main character in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† who is locked up inside a barred room, dealing with herself all along. CONCLUSION From the above works, one may deduce that a person has a strong will and determination to do or to have what he wants without having to give to an outside factor neither any credit for a desired result nor any blame for a bad outcome. Factors beyond a person’s control, as strongly suggested in determinism, can truly cause the outcome in a situation but the interplay of free will always exists along with it. Works Cited Gilman, Charlotte. The Yellow Wallpaper. United States: New England Magazine. 1892. Print James, Henry. Daisy Miller. United Kingdom: Cornhill Magazine. 1878. Print

Business Analysis and Strategies of Dell

Business Analysis and Strategies of Dell Introduction The significance of information technology has in recent times arriving a great deal of growing concentration crossways the industry worldwide. Strategies for continuous development means that in many areas in the industry has been expanding with major companies, such as Michael Dell, Microsoft and HP and Acer, to become the main support for the IT industry, The relationship between business and IS strategy of critical importance, gives a sense of direction, and provide support to the organization by as long as options that be able to followed. The close relationship between business strategy and IS important because the ability IS to help achieve the objectives of the company by helping to reduce the problems that might be encountered in executing its plans, which means that the company is able to develop the right plans in the process in a timely manner. This report will be the focus of the leading information technology company Michael Dell (DELL). The company Michael Dell, commonly known as the Dell, and started work 25 years ago at the University of Texas at Austin, United States. It now has a presence in all parts of the world and is one of the leading companies in the world dealing through information technology. DELL adapt its work to a new area in IS / IT infrastructure and developed a solid reputation and strong identity. At the outset of this report will give an analysis of the companys activities and business strategies to help to assess the results of its operations through the use of internal analysis (SWOT), assessment of the value-added chain and other factors critical to success. This will enable recommendations to be made in order to support and improve Dells business success. DELL Information It is useful to give information on the background of Dell, its vision and mission, as well as the organizations structure and culture in order to give a comprehensive Image of the company and that is the way of progress. Company background: Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael dell who studied at the university of Texas at Austen, Michael dell founded the company in the name PC limited with a capital $1000, the first companys selling computers compatible with IBM . Michael dell started to belief that trade regulations when selling personal computers directly to users, the company will achieve greater understanding of the requirements of customers and provide them with more efficient computer products to meet those requirements. during this time Michael dell to leave the study in university to his new job, especially after winning the expansion of capital value of $300.000 from his family (DELL 2009). In 1985 the company produced the first computers of its own design, dubbed Turbo PC, which sold at $ 795 million. The design contains a processor compatible with Intel 8088 running at 8 MHzs The company has to announce this product in the national computer magazines for sale directly to customers, The compilation of each computer specifically by the customer options, Giving buyers prices lower than those of commercial companies, but with greater efficiency of an assembly of those components themselves. Although Of the fact that a company à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“PCs limitedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is not the first company to adopt the method of this work, but it has become one of the first companies that have succeeded in this manner. Dell Company collected more than U.S. $ 73 million total dividend during its first year. Dell revenue totalled $61.133 billion for the fiscal year ended February 2008, having previously been $7.420 billion during the fiscal year ended February 2007, an rise of 6.5% on 2007 during the fiscal year 2008 the company had profit $3.440 million, an rise 12.1% on 2007, with the net profit of $2.947 million in 2008, an rise of 14.1% on 2007. Michael dell company (DELL) provides technologies and services, aboard range offering of product, including desktop PC, storage, networking products and servers, mobility products, software and peripherals .the Company mainly based in the USA and about 2008 it was employing 82.700 people (DELL 2009). DELL vision statement Dell vision is quite focused about what customer needs to be somewhat homogenous throughout the world. Have been used management to translate the vision into a successful enterprise innovative and sustainable. Dell provides quality products and latest technology to cater the needs of the customers and suppliers and to build best relationship with them (DELL 2009). DELL mission statement Mission of Dell known as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“THE SOUL OF DELLà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? for the good value and obligation as well as, Direct Relationships, Customers improve loyal by great value, The Dell Team with teamwork and the opportunity anyone need to learn and develop and the Global Citizenship sharing responsibly into global marketplace. Dells mission is to meet the expectations of its customers and how to dealing business with them by phone and internet one on one for: The highest class of quality. A pioneer in the field of technology. Competitive pricing. Accountability of individuals and companies. The best in level service and supporting. The ability of flexible customization (DELL 2009). DELL organisational structure The structure of Dells organization on the basis of on the number of divisions, from the factory to High Command is very slight hierarchy to slow down a decision making process. The important points arise from organization Structure of the organization be relatively permanent and is designed to facilitate the achievement of something, This means that sometimes changes, what can be achieved change, or changes in the structure has come for senior management to change its views on the mainly agreeable structure to achieve specific results. The formal structure of the organization, which select to organization, and senior management, by inference, and this is to consider the question of choice. Structure of the division organization of component part to determine what these roles will play in achieving the goals and specific results for the whole organization. The structure of organization also provides for monitor and coordination of all parts to realization these goals (Derek Rollinson 2002). Employees are encouraged to pursue the most successful ways to complete their jobs and are permitted to implement these new efficiencies without prior approval by upper management. This open-communication has made junior employees realize their ideas are welcome and respected. Once proven to be successful, it is not unusual for these notions to be implemented in all part of organization. According a business Magazine published online in 2001 Michael Dell has been awarded CEO (Chiefexecutive 2009). Dells organizational structure is an essential part of the companys success. Small hierarchy exists inside the company. From the industrial unit to the management office, communication is emphasized and all staff is empowered to make decisions to get better job and big business performance. Top management support is not required for the completion of new ideas. Dells business flat structure is probable to enable the company to stay at the top of industry. Worker empowerment facilitates development innovation one of the most important spirited characteristics of growing industries. Likewise, Dells fast, reliable and receptive business replica enables it to execute its direct sales model more effectively than any other company in the industry. As well as Dell expands interested in rising markets, however, the corporation will have to adapt its organizational structure to increasing global environments. Dell will need to keep focus on its place in the manufacturing goods differentiator, bringing superior value to clients. DELL organisational culture organizational culture espoused by individuals in organizations have a strong influence and direct their behaviours and performance of their activities and their supervisors and their subordinates, colleagues and dealers with them, and reflect these values and beliefs, the degree of coherence and integration among the members of the organization as an internal control system when the bells ring out behaviours limits drawn to the human eye, therefore, these values reflect the organizations ability to create core values can move around all the efforts at all levels of the organization. Component values between several different of culture definition , which represents a common denominator and that these values refer to the attitudes, beliefs and ideas in a particular organization and reach these values to the individuals are obliged by social relations and continuous interaction among them, management will contribute greatly to instil the values espoused by the members when the organization adopts certain values such as to obey the laws and regulations and attention customers and improve efficiency, the organization expects of its members to adopt these values and reflect on their behaviour. Values and organizational culture play an important role in maintaining the identity of the organization and support its presence and influence in the activities of their employees, so managers are keen to develop and adopt organizational values to achieve the objectives of the organizations. However Cultural change is neither easy nor assured .It can take a long time and it takes effort and vigilance. (Philip E. Atkinson 1997) Dell maintained its culture through honesty and open communication. Tell Dell surveys into encourage rank and file employees anonymous evaluation of managers and senior leaders. The company believes that this kind of honesty help to bring change and accountability. Previous assessments have brought improvements in work-life balance, and common goals, classifications and job satisfaction. Dell, the winner of culture and diversity initiatives to create a comprehensive environment for companies on the basis of merit and personal competence and the achievement of equal access to all available opportunities, leading to employee satisfaction with the choice of employees to stay with Dell because of the significant benefits offered by the company, and the company aims to enable workers to maximize its contribution to the company while also maintaining effectiveness between their work and personal lives, as well as sponsors in the community of networks formed by groups of staff that help promote a more inclusive work environment, and improve communication between employees and enhance understanding by all staff about the value of diversity. Dale is described as a culture of meritocracy, which rewards those employees who are working hard to achieve organizational goals. Dell is also promoting a culture of learning within the organization, where each employee is expected to be committed to the promotion of consciousness of the company and work to achieve those objectives, and be on the other hand, Dell is committed to staff development, and help employees achieve personal and professional through the professional management (DELL 2009). Focus on internal efforts in Dell on cultivating and promoting best practices among those working in the areas of policy development, training and employment, direction and development and advancement and culture change, Dell strives to develop and participate fully, and retain talent on a high performance and flexibility in the invitation, in the workplace to enable staff and managers to hold discussions on the needs of every business and every employee in the individual work / life effectiveness of objectives, and then to build an implementation plan for each priority. Council and management of Dell are expected to bring integrity to the management and operation of the company and each and every one of the managers and senior management should be an example where trust, integrity, respect and responsibility of Management. Business and IS/IT strategies IS strategy is the long-term orientation, business-led and demand orientated .At the same time, IS strategy concerned either to support current strategy of business or develop a new strategy for IT choices, the responsibility of IS strategy fall within the range of senior management. IT strategy is described as the basis of the activity. Supply which focuses on technology and demand. It is also for the delivery of IT a practical solution to business problems. IT strategy is not only for the vision that senior managers adopt on IS planning long-term, but instead from the practical application of IT for business. The effective information management strategic can make in enable the institutions to work more competitive and flexible in the global environment and current developments in IS/IT impacting organizations to change the basics elements for prosperity strategic change management. On the other hand the introduction of IS / IT of manufacturing into the business sector, has led to significant improvement, for example in the automotive industry, where most of its processes controlled by the machines, and have the IT / IS computer operating system. IS/IT plays an important and very useful element in the growth of products at various stages, during all the product stages, with manufacturing industries by using computer-aided design to develop the design of product. (Currie.W 1995) You can also use the IT/IS to support the activities of value chain in order to gain a competitive benefit. Making it easier for suppliers to be close the system, improve services, cost savings and accelerate the delivery time while Value added by IT/IS for value chain makes the operations activities faster a result a rapid response to customer requirements and demands. It can also using the added value for the improvement and achieved about the sales activity to provide the competitiveness of the company with its competitors. Dells devised operating framework to guide them the strategic decisions making and manage, dependent for the elements below targeted growth, operational efficiency and capital strategy. Targeted Growth: The company has concentrated on the analysis of the growth opportunities in the future, to consider the customer segments, geography and business groups, but in order to obtain these opportunities, they continue to produce developments to become to the market effectively. Dell believes that if it builds an excellent technology with direct sell, then clients will want to buy this technology, except it must be effective in selling their technologies as it is an image in the first place. So far, it had conducted a long-term analysis of its sales strength; Making sure that they have a sufficient number of appropriate skills and experience with account managers, and the correct management of the accounts in the correct places, and in its target with the opportunities available for development. In this method, this aims to get better results of sales, while declining costs in the sale off. In order to make the service provided to their clients and clear and accountable, Dell has made several new programs; therefore the development of new incentive schemes in the process to achieve greater growth and profits for both Dell and its partners. The company will be the potential for growth can be achieved only by gaining customer loyalty and customer respect the outcome of positive experiences. There must be better coordination of sales and marketing with targeted investment if the company is to increase growth and achieve an improved return on investment in those regions where it is seeking to create more demand, it also a need to interact with customers in those regions where the clients spend a lot of time on the website. Operational Efficiency: Side by side with their search of growth, the company has purposed to get better efficiency and raise the speed and effectiveness in the field of marketing. To this conclusion the structure of companys dell rationalized and managerial matrices have been decreased and nearly three layers of top management have been disconnected, therefore the integration of its global processes with business groups to achieve greater accountability, competence and speed. The completion of the restructuring of large and led to a reduction in costs and benefits in terms of the full cost of this will be seen through the fiscal year. Capital Strategy: The company dell has made significant growth in reducing the total costs that are given the opportunity to invest further capital in the growth and even add to market share. Dell has required to achieve four key benefits of its business, firstly to lower costs, plus increase its capacity at the same time, to manage their business and meet the needs of its customers extra efficiently through access to improved information, it will also seek to improve control over the infrastructure for decrease business risk finally, In order to achieve all of this using Dell technology. Dell will be a wide publicity advertisement to its customers all over the world this way with its own IT. Dell is composed of people who have committed to work well in every day and, therefore, in order to achieve progress, the company invests heavily in developing the skills of its staff. To enable staff to develop performance and competencies with the development of their innovation by giving them this authority, the company also provides comprehensive programs to give opportunities to employees to improve and develop their performance, and in this line ensures the company to increase its competitive advantage, the companys success derives from the success of its managers and employees. The Strategic IS/IT of DELL There are a number of processes are available, each one provides a different framework to a development IT/IS strategic plan. Various analyse such as Porter five forces, the internal analysis (SWOT) and the value chain required to achieve this goal. Plus a number of tools obtainable through the organizations where they can find help to identify ways in which a company can obtain a strategic advantage, while improving the strategy IS/IT. Tools that are explained in the following part has proved to themselves to demonstrate the importance of the role that can be played by information technology in order to obtain certain goals, and business to find areas where IT applications can benefit from them. Conducting Internal Analysis Could be considered internal factors in the IS unit and of the element played by the users managers of IT in the whole process to be implemented, as well as an analysis of Foreign Affairs. And can be used the following tools for this process. SWOT Analysis This is the way that can be used to appraise the strengths and weaknesses, plus opportunities and threats that the organization may contain to agreement with it. Opportunities can be distinct as the range to create new sources or systems that will feature the companys long-term, while the threats can be considered as areas of performance to the changes to be carried out or counter where there is need for introduced (Robson 1997). DELL SWOT analysis Strengths Strong market position Despite the drop in market share to Hewlett-Packard recently, and Dell is still a strong player in the PC hardware segment. In the computer component and equipment manufacturing in the United States, Dell Company was in second ranked with a market share at 18% in 2007 after HP Company 20%. Dell was followed by rivals while the competitors for dell such as IBM, for 11.1% a market share, and Sun Microsystems company on 5% at a market share (Datamonitor 2008). In the computer hardware, software and equipment wholesalers industry in the US, Dell was in first position at 6.5% market share in 2007, followed for Ingram Micro 3.7% and IBM 2.8%. According to the annual ranking Inter brands by 2007, Dell brand was in 31st position among the top 100 brands in 2007 at the world; its brand was valued at $11,554 million (Datamonitor 2008). Dell is also one of the worlds leading companies in the servers segment. The company Dell is a strong market place because its partnership with EMC in the storage sector, Based in the United States information technology infrastructure and solutions company. Dell company is strong market place in the computer component sector will has a strong brand image (DELL Annual Report, 2008). Strong performance in Asia Pacific The Companys over the last three years in Asia Pacific, revenue growth in all product categories through fiscal 2006 and 2007 with strong performance. The revenue at this part rose from $5,465 million to $7,358 million between fiscal 2005 until 2007, a raise at 34.6% and CAGR at 16%. During fiscal 2007 the part in China was led by 26% revenue growth and in Japan by 13% during fiscal 2006. Higher rate revenue growth at the overall region by Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and India In fiscal 2007. Dell Established in Bangalore, India to development centre and new global research in May 2007 to software products, data-storage systems and develop the new generation by network servers. Plus Dell Company focused in China market because Dells is the third biggest competitor after Lenovo. Furthermore, dell established a design centre in Shanghai, china which played this segment primary key in the start on a low cost price PC Also launched a corporate blog to connect with customers, powerful performance in quick growing markets will be help the dell company to increase revenue growth (Datamonitor 2008). Wide product portfolio The company has a wide range of product, including notebooks, desktops, servers, networking, printers, storage products, ink and toner, accessories, software and televisions. Dell has to perform partnerships with EMC to Promotion Vulnerable areas in storage market. It has powerful manufacturing abilities in the many regions. A wide portfolio by products has aided the dell company to provide offerings to customers, which adds constancy to its revenues. the US Army on March 2007,chose Dell company provide hardware ,servers, networking and storage in addition integration services and installation for its enterprise solutions ,hardware and information technology . Dell is one of six honourees of the Prime Minister for the contract, which is a three-year accord with two one-year extensions and buy a ceiling value of $ 5 billion. Also Dell was selected under the Armys desktop mobile computing contract to provide printers, displays, desktop, peripherals and laptops for three years (Datamonitor 2008). Weaknesses Weak internal controls In August 2005 The United State started an investigation into financial reporting and accounting matters with Dell by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). As well as in August 2006, begin an investigation in the financial reporting and accounting issues in the company directed its Auditing accounting Committee. In addition, the Attorney in United States for the Southern District on New York to subpoenaed all documentation relating for the dell companys financial reports from 2002 until the present time. Afterward, Released the company announcement of the existence of accounting errors, find evidence of misconduct and deficiency in the fiscal control environment and through Audit Committees investigation. The company is currently evaluating whether these problems require any restatements the previous financial period. As a result, in October 2007, Dell presented its past via periodically reports by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Those reports include financial information for fiscal from 2003 until the first quarter of 2007. Accounting mistakes, proof of misconduct, and to fail control in the financial environment, reflecting to weaken internal controls and the reduction of investor confidence in the companys management (Datamonitor 2008). Product recalls According to dell company data it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire. The company was forced to withdraw several products due to quality issues in the recent period. The company announced on August 2006 to withdraw 4.1 million for laptop batteries because to fire risk. These batteries made Dell-branded based with Sony cells. the company offered in December 2005 substitution batteries by some models such as Dell Precision, Dell Latitude and notebook computers by Dell Inspiron because quality issues. In addition, 2004 the company recalled several further products in previous years because problems in the quality, containing printers, AC adapters and Auto-Air power adapters also batteries between 2000 and 2001. In the past few years several product which reflects weak quality function on company Dell (Datamonitor 2008). Testing and Quality operations processes are too applied tospare parts, componentsand subassemblies obtainedby third party suppliers. Dell recently forced to withdraw products because of quality issues, and this means that Dell may not be fully capable of achieving success in achievingat own ambition quality. Product recalls weaken the confidence of customers for products, and increase the advantage of competitors to Dell. Opportunities Acquisitions In 2007, Dell companies have gained many new companies, projects and alsolong-term plans to further acquisitions in the future. Dell made a deal for the private sector Silverback Technologies in July 2007, to provide services through the provision of a platform for the management of infrastructure forIT and remote monitoring devices such as notebook computers, desktop servers, networks and storage. The following month, made ZING systems an agreement with Dell.This agreement allows Dell to use the capacities ZING continue to improve entertainment experience that offers its customers (Datamonitor 2008). performance and optimal solutions in default ISCSI Storage Area Network (SAN), and this would strengthen the Dell product and channel leadership in simplifying andIT solutions for clients at the global level, ISCSI SAN knowledge and technology the fastest growing part of the business volume. As well as at the same time, Dell completed a deal with the Express Company for the services of licensing, as soon as possible, software and software solutions and asset management. In December 2007, Dell has signed an agreement to acquire the privately held with Everdream, a large provider in the field of software-as-a Service (SaaS) that is solutions and managed services from a distance and acquisitions Everdream are a key element in the strategy of Dell simplifies IT (Datamonitor 2008). Expanding PC market In 2006, total revenues to 163.8 billion U.S. dollars in world markets through the computer, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR), representing some 7.3% in the period 2002-2006. In comparison, the market grew at an annual growth rate to reach 9% and 5.1% in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, reaching the value of each to $ 62 billion and $ 41.1 billion between 2002 and 2006 and also, increase the size of a CAGR of 10.8% in the period from 2002 to 2006 the consumption of the market, in 2006, achieving a total of 184 million units. It is expected to grow to market size of 260.8 million units in the year-end 2011 and annual growth rate of 7.2% in the period between 2006till 2011 (Datamonitor 2008). In 2006, the total revenues of 123.1 billion dollars, equivalent to 66.9% of its value in the public markets for sales of the desktop, although the sales of laptop computers of the total income of $ 60.9 billion, representing a 33.1% of market revenue share. At the same time, it is expected to increase market performance in Europe and Asia-Pacific markets with compound annual growth rates would go up by 6.1% and 5.4% respectively, during the same period, up to the values for each of the 83.5 billion also $ 53.5 billion in 2011. It is expanding the market for the computer by allowing the company to enhance the overall revenue base (Datamonitor 2008). New retail agreements Dell company entries of new agreements for retail customers to enable greater access obtain Dell products. In September 2007, Dell is entering into partnership with GOME, the largest distributor of consumer electronics in China, which allows Dell to sell products to many buyers in the computer store. Also in September 2007, Dell opened its first store in Russia retail sale. In October 2007, Dell signed a deal with Staples, which means giving consumers options for the purchase of a wide range of Dell desktops, laptops, printers, ink, toner and observers in 1,400 Staples stores. The company has signed an agreement in November 2007, with a group Carrefour, and became the first trader to sell a comprehensive desktop computers and mobile in Europe. This agreement allows consumers to purchase Dell products in 365 Carrefour Group. In January 2008, the company achieved in the retail trade agreements with theDSG as well as dell made agreement with Tesco, the retailer with international operations in Asia and Europe (Datamonitor 2008). Threats Counterfeit goods Serious threats to the Dell in the market segments of contraband goods, and the black market in 2006, a significant increase in counterfeit products on the black market and smuggling of goods made in China and Hong Kong, where the total value of goods via mainland China and Hong Kong, a significant increase 96.3% to $ 125.6 million in the mainland, and 61.9% to reach 9.4 million in Hong Kong, although the products on the black market of lower quality in most cases is much cheaper and which affect the income of the companys long-term (Datamonitor 2008). The WEEE and ROHS directive At the beginning of August 2005, the EU market to be fiscally responsible for the implementation of its obligations under the WEEE legislation. Which makes producers of electrical goods, including computers, printers, and financially responsible for the disposal and treatment, and the collection and recycling of electrical product in the past and the future. In December 2006, the Parliament of the United Kingdom to introduce a bill to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, however, the United Kingdom in January 2007, entered into force. In addition China in February 2006, issued a regulation to combat pollution (Datamonitor 2008). And Dell and non-compliance with new environmental legislation can lead to great responsibility and fines. In July 2006, and the reduction of hazardous substances (ROHS) Directive in an effective manner in order to impose restrictions on the use of Dell six hazardous materials, this material is used to produce various kinds of electrical and electronic equipment, which means that the complexity of purchasing and product design(Datamonitor 2008). Economic deceleration in the Euro zone and United States According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the economic field in the euro area and the United States and are the most important market for Dell. Is expected to slow in 2008 due to the recent turmoil in financial markets, in 2008, is expected to International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the United States economic growth to reduce from 0.9% to 1.9% for the slow growth in the euro zone to 2.1%, as well as reduced growth in the United Kingdom, between 3.1% in 2007 to 2.3% in 2008 (Datamonitor 2008). Economic slowdown in the euro area and the United States could lead to a reduction in spending on information te Business Analysis and Strategies of Dell Business Analysis and Strategies of Dell Introduction The significance of information technology has in recent times arriving a great deal of growing concentration crossways the industry worldwide. Strategies for continuous development means that in many areas in the industry has been expanding with major companies, such as Michael Dell, Microsoft and HP and Acer, to become the main support for the IT industry, The relationship between business and IS strategy of critical importance, gives a sense of direction, and provide support to the organization by as long as options that be able to followed. The close relationship between business strategy and IS important because the ability IS to help achieve the objectives of the company by helping to reduce the problems that might be encountered in executing its plans, which means that the company is able to develop the right plans in the process in a timely manner. This report will be the focus of the leading information technology company Michael Dell (DELL). The company Michael Dell, commonly known as the Dell, and started work 25 years ago at the University of Texas at Austin, United States. It now has a presence in all parts of the world and is one of the leading companies in the world dealing through information technology. DELL adapt its work to a new area in IS / IT infrastructure and developed a solid reputation and strong identity. At the outset of this report will give an analysis of the companys activities and business strategies to help to assess the results of its operations through the use of internal analysis (SWOT), assessment of the value-added chain and other factors critical to success. This will enable recommendations to be made in order to support and improve Dells business success. DELL Information It is useful to give information on the background of Dell, its vision and mission, as well as the organizations structure and culture in order to give a comprehensive Image of the company and that is the way of progress. Company background: Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael dell who studied at the university of Texas at Austen, Michael dell founded the company in the name PC limited with a capital $1000, the first companys selling computers compatible with IBM . Michael dell started to belief that trade regulations when selling personal computers directly to users, the company will achieve greater understanding of the requirements of customers and provide them with more efficient computer products to meet those requirements. during this time Michael dell to leave the study in university to his new job, especially after winning the expansion of capital value of $300.000 from his family (DELL 2009). In 1985 the company produced the first computers of its own design, dubbed Turbo PC, which sold at $ 795 million. The design contains a processor compatible with Intel 8088 running at 8 MHzs The company has to announce this product in the national computer magazines for sale directly to customers, The compilation of each computer specifically by the customer options, Giving buyers prices lower than those of commercial companies, but with greater efficiency of an assembly of those components themselves. Although Of the fact that a company à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“PCs limitedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is not the first company to adopt the method of this work, but it has become one of the first companies that have succeeded in this manner. Dell Company collected more than U.S. $ 73 million total dividend during its first year. Dell revenue totalled $61.133 billion for the fiscal year ended February 2008, having previously been $7.420 billion during the fiscal year ended February 2007, an rise of 6.5% on 2007 during the fiscal year 2008 the company had profit $3.440 million, an rise 12.1% on 2007, with the net profit of $2.947 million in 2008, an rise of 14.1% on 2007. Michael dell company (DELL) provides technologies and services, aboard range offering of product, including desktop PC, storage, networking products and servers, mobility products, software and peripherals .the Company mainly based in the USA and about 2008 it was employing 82.700 people (DELL 2009). DELL vision statement Dell vision is quite focused about what customer needs to be somewhat homogenous throughout the world. Have been used management to translate the vision into a successful enterprise innovative and sustainable. Dell provides quality products and latest technology to cater the needs of the customers and suppliers and to build best relationship with them (DELL 2009). DELL mission statement Mission of Dell known as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“THE SOUL OF DELLà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? for the good value and obligation as well as, Direct Relationships, Customers improve loyal by great value, The Dell Team with teamwork and the opportunity anyone need to learn and develop and the Global Citizenship sharing responsibly into global marketplace. Dells mission is to meet the expectations of its customers and how to dealing business with them by phone and internet one on one for: The highest class of quality. A pioneer in the field of technology. Competitive pricing. Accountability of individuals and companies. The best in level service and supporting. The ability of flexible customization (DELL 2009). DELL organisational structure The structure of Dells organization on the basis of on the number of divisions, from the factory to High Command is very slight hierarchy to slow down a decision making process. The important points arise from organization Structure of the organization be relatively permanent and is designed to facilitate the achievement of something, This means that sometimes changes, what can be achieved change, or changes in the structure has come for senior management to change its views on the mainly agreeable structure to achieve specific results. The formal structure of the organization, which select to organization, and senior management, by inference, and this is to consider the question of choice. Structure of the division organization of component part to determine what these roles will play in achieving the goals and specific results for the whole organization. The structure of organization also provides for monitor and coordination of all parts to realization these goals (Derek Rollinson 2002). Employees are encouraged to pursue the most successful ways to complete their jobs and are permitted to implement these new efficiencies without prior approval by upper management. This open-communication has made junior employees realize their ideas are welcome and respected. Once proven to be successful, it is not unusual for these notions to be implemented in all part of organization. According a business Magazine published online in 2001 Michael Dell has been awarded CEO (Chiefexecutive 2009). Dells organizational structure is an essential part of the companys success. Small hierarchy exists inside the company. From the industrial unit to the management office, communication is emphasized and all staff is empowered to make decisions to get better job and big business performance. Top management support is not required for the completion of new ideas. Dells business flat structure is probable to enable the company to stay at the top of industry. Worker empowerment facilitates development innovation one of the most important spirited characteristics of growing industries. Likewise, Dells fast, reliable and receptive business replica enables it to execute its direct sales model more effectively than any other company in the industry. As well as Dell expands interested in rising markets, however, the corporation will have to adapt its organizational structure to increasing global environments. Dell will need to keep focus on its place in the manufacturing goods differentiator, bringing superior value to clients. DELL organisational culture organizational culture espoused by individuals in organizations have a strong influence and direct their behaviours and performance of their activities and their supervisors and their subordinates, colleagues and dealers with them, and reflect these values and beliefs, the degree of coherence and integration among the members of the organization as an internal control system when the bells ring out behaviours limits drawn to the human eye, therefore, these values reflect the organizations ability to create core values can move around all the efforts at all levels of the organization. Component values between several different of culture definition , which represents a common denominator and that these values refer to the attitudes, beliefs and ideas in a particular organization and reach these values to the individuals are obliged by social relations and continuous interaction among them, management will contribute greatly to instil the values espoused by the members when the organization adopts certain values such as to obey the laws and regulations and attention customers and improve efficiency, the organization expects of its members to adopt these values and reflect on their behaviour. Values and organizational culture play an important role in maintaining the identity of the organization and support its presence and influence in the activities of their employees, so managers are keen to develop and adopt organizational values to achieve the objectives of the organizations. However Cultural change is neither easy nor assured .It can take a long time and it takes effort and vigilance. (Philip E. Atkinson 1997) Dell maintained its culture through honesty and open communication. Tell Dell surveys into encourage rank and file employees anonymous evaluation of managers and senior leaders. The company believes that this kind of honesty help to bring change and accountability. Previous assessments have brought improvements in work-life balance, and common goals, classifications and job satisfaction. Dell, the winner of culture and diversity initiatives to create a comprehensive environment for companies on the basis of merit and personal competence and the achievement of equal access to all available opportunities, leading to employee satisfaction with the choice of employees to stay with Dell because of the significant benefits offered by the company, and the company aims to enable workers to maximize its contribution to the company while also maintaining effectiveness between their work and personal lives, as well as sponsors in the community of networks formed by groups of staff that help promote a more inclusive work environment, and improve communication between employees and enhance understanding by all staff about the value of diversity. Dale is described as a culture of meritocracy, which rewards those employees who are working hard to achieve organizational goals. Dell is also promoting a culture of learning within the organization, where each employee is expected to be committed to the promotion of consciousness of the company and work to achieve those objectives, and be on the other hand, Dell is committed to staff development, and help employees achieve personal and professional through the professional management (DELL 2009). Focus on internal efforts in Dell on cultivating and promoting best practices among those working in the areas of policy development, training and employment, direction and development and advancement and culture change, Dell strives to develop and participate fully, and retain talent on a high performance and flexibility in the invitation, in the workplace to enable staff and managers to hold discussions on the needs of every business and every employee in the individual work / life effectiveness of objectives, and then to build an implementation plan for each priority. Council and management of Dell are expected to bring integrity to the management and operation of the company and each and every one of the managers and senior management should be an example where trust, integrity, respect and responsibility of Management. Business and IS/IT strategies IS strategy is the long-term orientation, business-led and demand orientated .At the same time, IS strategy concerned either to support current strategy of business or develop a new strategy for IT choices, the responsibility of IS strategy fall within the range of senior management. IT strategy is described as the basis of the activity. Supply which focuses on technology and demand. It is also for the delivery of IT a practical solution to business problems. IT strategy is not only for the vision that senior managers adopt on IS planning long-term, but instead from the practical application of IT for business. The effective information management strategic can make in enable the institutions to work more competitive and flexible in the global environment and current developments in IS/IT impacting organizations to change the basics elements for prosperity strategic change management. On the other hand the introduction of IS / IT of manufacturing into the business sector, has led to significant improvement, for example in the automotive industry, where most of its processes controlled by the machines, and have the IT / IS computer operating system. IS/IT plays an important and very useful element in the growth of products at various stages, during all the product stages, with manufacturing industries by using computer-aided design to develop the design of product. (Currie.W 1995) You can also use the IT/IS to support the activities of value chain in order to gain a competitive benefit. Making it easier for suppliers to be close the system, improve services, cost savings and accelerate the delivery time while Value added by IT/IS for value chain makes the operations activities faster a result a rapid response to customer requirements and demands. It can also using the added value for the improvement and achieved about the sales activity to provide the competitiveness of the company with its competitors. Dells devised operating framework to guide them the strategic decisions making and manage, dependent for the elements below targeted growth, operational efficiency and capital strategy. Targeted Growth: The company has concentrated on the analysis of the growth opportunities in the future, to consider the customer segments, geography and business groups, but in order to obtain these opportunities, they continue to produce developments to become to the market effectively. Dell believes that if it builds an excellent technology with direct sell, then clients will want to buy this technology, except it must be effective in selling their technologies as it is an image in the first place. So far, it had conducted a long-term analysis of its sales strength; Making sure that they have a sufficient number of appropriate skills and experience with account managers, and the correct management of the accounts in the correct places, and in its target with the opportunities available for development. In this method, this aims to get better results of sales, while declining costs in the sale off. In order to make the service provided to their clients and clear and accountable, Dell has made several new programs; therefore the development of new incentive schemes in the process to achieve greater growth and profits for both Dell and its partners. The company will be the potential for growth can be achieved only by gaining customer loyalty and customer respect the outcome of positive experiences. There must be better coordination of sales and marketing with targeted investment if the company is to increase growth and achieve an improved return on investment in those regions where it is seeking to create more demand, it also a need to interact with customers in those regions where the clients spend a lot of time on the website. Operational Efficiency: Side by side with their search of growth, the company has purposed to get better efficiency and raise the speed and effectiveness in the field of marketing. To this conclusion the structure of companys dell rationalized and managerial matrices have been decreased and nearly three layers of top management have been disconnected, therefore the integration of its global processes with business groups to achieve greater accountability, competence and speed. The completion of the restructuring of large and led to a reduction in costs and benefits in terms of the full cost of this will be seen through the fiscal year. Capital Strategy: The company dell has made significant growth in reducing the total costs that are given the opportunity to invest further capital in the growth and even add to market share. Dell has required to achieve four key benefits of its business, firstly to lower costs, plus increase its capacity at the same time, to manage their business and meet the needs of its customers extra efficiently through access to improved information, it will also seek to improve control over the infrastructure for decrease business risk finally, In order to achieve all of this using Dell technology. Dell will be a wide publicity advertisement to its customers all over the world this way with its own IT. Dell is composed of people who have committed to work well in every day and, therefore, in order to achieve progress, the company invests heavily in developing the skills of its staff. To enable staff to develop performance and competencies with the development of their innovation by giving them this authority, the company also provides comprehensive programs to give opportunities to employees to improve and develop their performance, and in this line ensures the company to increase its competitive advantage, the companys success derives from the success of its managers and employees. The Strategic IS/IT of DELL There are a number of processes are available, each one provides a different framework to a development IT/IS strategic plan. Various analyse such as Porter five forces, the internal analysis (SWOT) and the value chain required to achieve this goal. Plus a number of tools obtainable through the organizations where they can find help to identify ways in which a company can obtain a strategic advantage, while improving the strategy IS/IT. Tools that are explained in the following part has proved to themselves to demonstrate the importance of the role that can be played by information technology in order to obtain certain goals, and business to find areas where IT applications can benefit from them. Conducting Internal Analysis Could be considered internal factors in the IS unit and of the element played by the users managers of IT in the whole process to be implemented, as well as an analysis of Foreign Affairs. And can be used the following tools for this process. SWOT Analysis This is the way that can be used to appraise the strengths and weaknesses, plus opportunities and threats that the organization may contain to agreement with it. Opportunities can be distinct as the range to create new sources or systems that will feature the companys long-term, while the threats can be considered as areas of performance to the changes to be carried out or counter where there is need for introduced (Robson 1997). DELL SWOT analysis Strengths Strong market position Despite the drop in market share to Hewlett-Packard recently, and Dell is still a strong player in the PC hardware segment. In the computer component and equipment manufacturing in the United States, Dell Company was in second ranked with a market share at 18% in 2007 after HP Company 20%. Dell was followed by rivals while the competitors for dell such as IBM, for 11.1% a market share, and Sun Microsystems company on 5% at a market share (Datamonitor 2008). In the computer hardware, software and equipment wholesalers industry in the US, Dell was in first position at 6.5% market share in 2007, followed for Ingram Micro 3.7% and IBM 2.8%. According to the annual ranking Inter brands by 2007, Dell brand was in 31st position among the top 100 brands in 2007 at the world; its brand was valued at $11,554 million (Datamonitor 2008). Dell is also one of the worlds leading companies in the servers segment. The company Dell is a strong market place because its partnership with EMC in the storage sector, Based in the United States information technology infrastructure and solutions company. Dell company is strong market place in the computer component sector will has a strong brand image (DELL Annual Report, 2008). Strong performance in Asia Pacific The Companys over the last three years in Asia Pacific, revenue growth in all product categories through fiscal 2006 and 2007 with strong performance. The revenue at this part rose from $5,465 million to $7,358 million between fiscal 2005 until 2007, a raise at 34.6% and CAGR at 16%. During fiscal 2007 the part in China was led by 26% revenue growth and in Japan by 13% during fiscal 2006. Higher rate revenue growth at the overall region by Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and India In fiscal 2007. Dell Established in Bangalore, India to development centre and new global research in May 2007 to software products, data-storage systems and develop the new generation by network servers. Plus Dell Company focused in China market because Dells is the third biggest competitor after Lenovo. Furthermore, dell established a design centre in Shanghai, china which played this segment primary key in the start on a low cost price PC Also launched a corporate blog to connect with customers, powerful performance in quick growing markets will be help the dell company to increase revenue growth (Datamonitor 2008). Wide product portfolio The company has a wide range of product, including notebooks, desktops, servers, networking, printers, storage products, ink and toner, accessories, software and televisions. Dell has to perform partnerships with EMC to Promotion Vulnerable areas in storage market. It has powerful manufacturing abilities in the many regions. A wide portfolio by products has aided the dell company to provide offerings to customers, which adds constancy to its revenues. the US Army on March 2007,chose Dell company provide hardware ,servers, networking and storage in addition integration services and installation for its enterprise solutions ,hardware and information technology . Dell is one of six honourees of the Prime Minister for the contract, which is a three-year accord with two one-year extensions and buy a ceiling value of $ 5 billion. Also Dell was selected under the Armys desktop mobile computing contract to provide printers, displays, desktop, peripherals and laptops for three years (Datamonitor 2008). Weaknesses Weak internal controls In August 2005 The United State started an investigation into financial reporting and accounting matters with Dell by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). As well as in August 2006, begin an investigation in the financial reporting and accounting issues in the company directed its Auditing accounting Committee. In addition, the Attorney in United States for the Southern District on New York to subpoenaed all documentation relating for the dell companys financial reports from 2002 until the present time. Afterward, Released the company announcement of the existence of accounting errors, find evidence of misconduct and deficiency in the fiscal control environment and through Audit Committees investigation. The company is currently evaluating whether these problems require any restatements the previous financial period. As a result, in October 2007, Dell presented its past via periodically reports by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Those reports include financial information for fiscal from 2003 until the first quarter of 2007. Accounting mistakes, proof of misconduct, and to fail control in the financial environment, reflecting to weaken internal controls and the reduction of investor confidence in the companys management (Datamonitor 2008). Product recalls According to dell company data it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire. The company was forced to withdraw several products due to quality issues in the recent period. The company announced on August 2006 to withdraw 4.1 million for laptop batteries because to fire risk. These batteries made Dell-branded based with Sony cells. the company offered in December 2005 substitution batteries by some models such as Dell Precision, Dell Latitude and notebook computers by Dell Inspiron because quality issues. In addition, 2004 the company recalled several further products in previous years because problems in the quality, containing printers, AC adapters and Auto-Air power adapters also batteries between 2000 and 2001. In the past few years several product which reflects weak quality function on company Dell (Datamonitor 2008). Testing and Quality operations processes are too applied tospare parts, componentsand subassemblies obtainedby third party suppliers. Dell recently forced to withdraw products because of quality issues, and this means that Dell may not be fully capable of achieving success in achievingat own ambition quality. Product recalls weaken the confidence of customers for products, and increase the advantage of competitors to Dell. Opportunities Acquisitions In 2007, Dell companies have gained many new companies, projects and alsolong-term plans to further acquisitions in the future. Dell made a deal for the private sector Silverback Technologies in July 2007, to provide services through the provision of a platform for the management of infrastructure forIT and remote monitoring devices such as notebook computers, desktop servers, networks and storage. The following month, made ZING systems an agreement with Dell.This agreement allows Dell to use the capacities ZING continue to improve entertainment experience that offers its customers (Datamonitor 2008). performance and optimal solutions in default ISCSI Storage Area Network (SAN), and this would strengthen the Dell product and channel leadership in simplifying andIT solutions for clients at the global level, ISCSI SAN knowledge and technology the fastest growing part of the business volume. As well as at the same time, Dell completed a deal with the Express Company for the services of licensing, as soon as possible, software and software solutions and asset management. In December 2007, Dell has signed an agreement to acquire the privately held with Everdream, a large provider in the field of software-as-a Service (SaaS) that is solutions and managed services from a distance and acquisitions Everdream are a key element in the strategy of Dell simplifies IT (Datamonitor 2008). Expanding PC market In 2006, total revenues to 163.8 billion U.S. dollars in world markets through the computer, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR), representing some 7.3% in the period 2002-2006. In comparison, the market grew at an annual growth rate to reach 9% and 5.1% in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, reaching the value of each to $ 62 billion and $ 41.1 billion between 2002 and 2006 and also, increase the size of a CAGR of 10.8% in the period from 2002 to 2006 the consumption of the market, in 2006, achieving a total of 184 million units. It is expected to grow to market size of 260.8 million units in the year-end 2011 and annual growth rate of 7.2% in the period between 2006till 2011 (Datamonitor 2008). In 2006, the total revenues of 123.1 billion dollars, equivalent to 66.9% of its value in the public markets for sales of the desktop, although the sales of laptop computers of the total income of $ 60.9 billion, representing a 33.1% of market revenue share. At the same time, it is expected to increase market performance in Europe and Asia-Pacific markets with compound annual growth rates would go up by 6.1% and 5.4% respectively, during the same period, up to the values for each of the 83.5 billion also $ 53.5 billion in 2011. It is expanding the market for the computer by allowing the company to enhance the overall revenue base (Datamonitor 2008). New retail agreements Dell company entries of new agreements for retail customers to enable greater access obtain Dell products. In September 2007, Dell is entering into partnership with GOME, the largest distributor of consumer electronics in China, which allows Dell to sell products to many buyers in the computer store. Also in September 2007, Dell opened its first store in Russia retail sale. In October 2007, Dell signed a deal with Staples, which means giving consumers options for the purchase of a wide range of Dell desktops, laptops, printers, ink, toner and observers in 1,400 Staples stores. The company has signed an agreement in November 2007, with a group Carrefour, and became the first trader to sell a comprehensive desktop computers and mobile in Europe. This agreement allows consumers to purchase Dell products in 365 Carrefour Group. In January 2008, the company achieved in the retail trade agreements with theDSG as well as dell made agreement with Tesco, the retailer with international operations in Asia and Europe (Datamonitor 2008). Threats Counterfeit goods Serious threats to the Dell in the market segments of contraband goods, and the black market in 2006, a significant increase in counterfeit products on the black market and smuggling of goods made in China and Hong Kong, where the total value of goods via mainland China and Hong Kong, a significant increase 96.3% to $ 125.6 million in the mainland, and 61.9% to reach 9.4 million in Hong Kong, although the products on the black market of lower quality in most cases is much cheaper and which affect the income of the companys long-term (Datamonitor 2008). The WEEE and ROHS directive At the beginning of August 2005, the EU market to be fiscally responsible for the implementation of its obligations under the WEEE legislation. Which makes producers of electrical goods, including computers, printers, and financially responsible for the disposal and treatment, and the collection and recycling of electrical product in the past and the future. In December 2006, the Parliament of the United Kingdom to introduce a bill to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, however, the United Kingdom in January 2007, entered into force. In addition China in February 2006, issued a regulation to combat pollution (Datamonitor 2008). And Dell and non-compliance with new environmental legislation can lead to great responsibility and fines. In July 2006, and the reduction of hazardous substances (ROHS) Directive in an effective manner in order to impose restrictions on the use of Dell six hazardous materials, this material is used to produce various kinds of electrical and electronic equipment, which means that the complexity of purchasing and product design(Datamonitor 2008). Economic deceleration in the Euro zone and United States According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the economic field in the euro area and the United States and are the most important market for Dell. Is expected to slow in 2008 due to the recent turmoil in financial markets, in 2008, is expected to International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the United States economic growth to reduce from 0.9% to 1.9% for the slow growth in the euro zone to 2.1%, as well as reduced growth in the United Kingdom, between 3.1% in 2007 to 2.3% in 2008 (Datamonitor 2008). Economic slowdown in the euro area and the United States could lead to a reduction in spending on information te