Category: Uncategorized

Features and Applications of various Probability Distributions

Jeremiah Vestors Obiero

D33/ 2154/ 04

Loss Models

BMS 407

Mr. Wekesa

20 November 2008

1.Features and Applications of Binomial Distribution

For a distribution to be described as having consistent with a binomial model, it must fulfill the following features:

An outcome on each trial of an experiment is classified into one of the two mutually exclusive categories: successive or failure

The random variable counts the number of successes in a fixed number of trials

The probability of success remains the same for each trial and so does the probability for failure

The trials in a binomial distribution are independent and therefore the outcome of one trial does not affect the outcome of any other trial

1.1Applications of Binomial Distribution

The binomial distribution is used to analyze the error in experimental results that estimate the proportion of individuals in a population that satisfy a condition of interest.

When a coin is flipped, the outcome is either a head or a tail; when a magician guesses the card selected from a deck, the magician can either be correct or incorrect, when a baby is born, the baby is either born in the month of May or not. In each of these examples, an event has two mutually exclusive possible outcomes

If an event occurs N times (for example, a coin is flipped N times), then the binomial distribution can be used to determine the probability of obtaining exactly r successes in the N outcomes. The binomial probability for obtaining r successes in N trials is given by:

2.Features and Applications of a Normal Distribution

A normal distribution has the following characteristic features:

It is bell-shaped and has a single peak at the center of the distribution

Arithmetic mean, median and mode of the distribution are equal and located at the peak

It is symmetrical about its mean [i.e. if it is cut vertically at the central value the two halves will be mirror images].

The distribution is asymptotic; this is to mean that the curves get closer and closer to the x- axis but they do not touch

The area under the total curve is equal to 1 (A= 1)

In its application, a normal distribution is applied in many areas in life. Although some statistical methods, such as the t test, are not sensitive to moderate departures from normality, it is generally preferable not to rely on this feature. Visual inspection of the distribution may suggest whether the assumption of normality is reasonable but, as figure 3 suggests, this approach is unreliable. Significance tests and normal plots can be used to assess formally whether sample data are a plausible sample from a normal population.1 When data do not have a normal distribution we can either transform the data (for example, by taking logarithms) or use a method that does not require the data to be normally distributed. We consider these topics in future notes.

The normal distribution has another essential place in statistics. Just as separate samples selected at random from the same population will differ (fig 3), so will calculate statistics such as the mean blood pressure. We can think of the means from many samples as themselves also having a distribution. A key theoretical result, called the central limit theorem, underpins many methods of analysis. It states that the means of random samples from any distribution will themselves have a normal distribution. As a consequence, when we have samples of hundreds of observations we can often ignore the distribution of the data. Nevertheless, because most clinical studies are of a modest size, it is usually advisable to transform non-normal data, especially when they have a skewed distribution.

We can consider binary attributes in the same way. For example, the proportions of individuals with asthma will vary from sample to sample. If having asthma is represented by the value 1 and not having asthma by the value 0 then the mean of these values in the sample is the proportion of individuals with asthma. Thus a proportion is also a mean and will follow a normal distribution. These methods are not valid in small samples–some “exact” methods can be used.2 Similar comments apply to some other statistics, such as regression coefficients or standardized mortality ratios, but for mortality ratios the sample size may have to be very large indeed.

One of the most important applications of these results is in calculating confidence intervals. The general method is based on the idea that the statistic of interest (such as the difference between two means or proportions) would have a normal distribution in repeated samples.3

3.Features and Applications of Poisson Distribution

A Poisson distribution has the following salient features:

The mean and variance of a Poisson distribution are equal

Events in a Poisson distribution occur [i.e. occur one at a time] and at random in a given interval or space

The mean number of occurrences in the given interval is known and finite

The probability of success is usually small and the number of trials is usually large

The application of Poisson distribution has been successful when an extraordinarily large number of natural and social phenomena have been successfully modeled using the Poisson distribution.

The “domain” in which counts are observed can be in interval of time: as for the radioactive counts mentioned above or as for cases arriving at the emergency room of a hospital during a one-hour period in mid-afternoon.

The domain can be a volume. In the volume represented by a beaker containing cells in suspension, the number of cells that divide in a particular unit of time may be modeled with the Poisson distribution. Also the number of red giant stars in a volume of interstellar space has been shown to be Poisson distributed.

The domain can be linear. The number of defects in a length of wire and the number of armadillos killed by traffic on a length of an Arizona highway have both been shown to have Poisson distributions.

The domain can be an area. Bomb hits in acre tracts of metropolitan London during WW2, the number of pollen grains collected in regions of a sticky plate exposed to the open air, and (under the right conditions) the number of bird nests in tracts San Francisco Bay marshes have all been successfully modeled as Poisson.

4.Features and Applications of Bernoulli Distributions

The Bernoulli distribution is a discrete distribution having two possible outcomes labeled by INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline1.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET and INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline2.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET in which INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline3.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET (“success”) occurs with probability INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline4.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET and INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline5.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET (“failure”) occurs with probability INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline6.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET , where INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline7.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET . It therefore has probability function

The performance of a fixed number of trials with fixed probability of success on each trial is known as a Bernoulli trial.

The distribution of heads and tails in coin tossing is an example of a Bernoulli distribution with INCLUDEPICTURE “http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/equations/BernoulliDistribution/Inline8.gif” * MERGEFORMATINET . The Bernoulli distribution is the simplest discrete distribution, and it is the building block for other more complicated discrete distributions.

5.Features and Applications of Chi-square (X2) Distribution

The chi-square distribution has numerous applications in inferential statistics, for instance in chi-square tests and in estimating variances. It enters the problem of estimating the mean of a normally distributed population and the problem of estimating the slope of a regression line via its role in Student’s t-distribution. It enters all analysis of variance problems via its role in the F-distribution, which is the distribution of the ratio of two independent chi-squared random variables divided by their respective degrees of freedom. This distribution is applied in graduation of mortality rates where it provides useful comparison of the experience and the standard table in the form of single statistics.

6.Features and Application of Student-T Distribution

Student’s distribution arises when (as in nearly all practical statistical work) the population standard deviation is unknown and has to be estimated from the data. It is a probability distribution that arises in the problem of estimating the mean of a normally distributed population when the sample size is small. It is the basis of the popular Student’s t-tests for the statistical significance of the difference between two sample means, and for confidence intervals for the difference between two population means.

The t-distribution is used in hypothesis testing where confidence intervals and hypothesis tests rely on Student’s t-distribution to cope with uncertainty resulting from estimating the standard deviation from a sample, whereas if the population standard deviation were known, a normal distribution would be used.

It is also applied in robust parametric modeling of heavy tailed data which the normal distribution does not allow for.

7.Features and Applications of F-Distribution

The F-distribution is a continuous probability distribution. It arises frequently as the null distribution of a test statistic, especially in likelihood-ratio tests, perhaps most notably in the analysis of variance. An F-test therefore is any statistical test in which the test statistic has an F-distribution if the null hypothesis is true. Examples include:

The hypothesis that the means of multiple normally distributed populations, all having the same standard deviation, are equal. This is perhaps the most well-known of hypotheses tested by means of an F-test, and the simplest problem in the analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The hypothesis that a proposed regression model fits well

The hypothesis that the standard deviations of two normally distributed populations are equal, and thus that they are of comparable origin.

Bibliography

Consul Prem C. Famoye Felix and, Kotz, Samuel (2005) “Applications of Probability Distributions in Real Situation”

Wasserman, L. (2006) “All of Nonparametric Statistics” Springer Publications

Federal Acquisition

Name

Institution

Federal Acquisition

Question 1

A number of procurement methods are usually employed in public procurement. In this case, the procurement method used is the Full and Open Competition. In this case, due to the small nature of the project, the procuring office simply invited quotations from suppliers already selected by the end user, or office for which the tables are meant. As opposed to inviting public bidding and therefore engaging in a competitive process prior to the determination of a supplier. The office simply opted to carry out market research and identify companies that are capable and eligible to provide the products required. Once a select few companies had been identified, the end user then proceeded to select a few individual companies from whom quotes were requested. Based on the quotes, the company that best satisfies the product requirements and has bid the lowest was selected.

The figure of $150,000 is slightly above the maximum threshold allowed for simple acquisitions, the Contracting Officer has opted for a modified form of the Full and Open Competition method, as evidenced by the fact that the task of carrying out research and selecting prospective supplies was delegated to the end user and not done competitively. Furthermore, the office has not employed the standard steps and procedures usually employed in Full and Open acquisitions. The most appropriate procurement method as defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation, is indeed the Full and open competition, as the figures involved go above the small purchase threshold of $100,000 as stipulated in FAR 2.101.

Question 2

The method of competition most likely used in this case, must have been the two step sealed bidding process, in which the end user through the procurement office, invited competitive proposals, before inviting quotations from suppliers who qualified for the next step. It is likely that the list of selected potential supplies was made from the competitive bids received, such that the proposals that the end user selected from the proposals received, were the ones that best captured what the office was looking for.

This is most likely the case because in the case of sealed bidding, selection is not done prior to the bidding. In the case of negotiated procurement, selection would have been done without the need for any bidding. In both cases above, the process of selection is only done once. In this case however, the quotations were received after a few suppliers had already been identified. This therefore means that the process itself was done in two stages, a methodology consistent with the two step sealed bidding method

Reference

O’Connor, J. & Wangemann, P. (2009). Federal Contracting Answer Book, 2nd Edition.Management Concepts.

Federal Government

Author

Institution

Introduction

The federal government is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental pillars of the United States. It is made up of the legislature, the executive and the judicially, all of which derive their powers and authority from the constitution, as well as the varied acts of the congress. Needless to say, the authority of the federal government has been expanding since time immemorial, so as to meet the dynamics of the society that it served or serves. The expansion of the federal authority can be seen in varied events pertaining to the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Era. Since the federal government derives its authority from the constitution, the expansion of its authority in the varied eras came through constitutional amendments.

One of the most fundamental expansions of the federal authority revolved around the 1865 Thirteenth Amendment, which underlined the abolishment of slavery, as well as the authorization of congress to make legislation enforcing the abolition. The 13th Amendment made the Emancipation Proclamation a law. This most crucial political aspect of this amendment rests on its second part, which granted the United States’ congress powers to make legislation enforcing it (Piven, 2006). It is worth noting that the Supreme Court had previously opined that the Congress was deficient of powers of controlling slavery. This amendment, however, gave the congress this power, thereby allowing it to deal with the ten confederate states that rebelled at that time. The social aspects of this amendment revolve around the depiction of the incorporation of full civil rights. It exposed the discrepancy that existed between the laws of the land and the public opinion (Piven, 2006). As much as the slaves and their descendants could have or were entitled to the same rights as their white counterparts according to the law, they still underwent a different treatment until the coming of the civil right movement (Piven, 2006). On the same note, there 13th Amendment came with some economic implications especially considering that the agricultural businesses had to modify their manner of functioning due to the elimination of slave labor. The profit margins declined despite the low wages as the former slaves now could start their own enterprises or seek better opportunities elsewhere.

In addition, the federal government’s authority was considerably increased in 1913 by the Sixteenth Amendment. This amendment authorized the federal government to keep unallocated taxes instead of subdividing the taxes among the states as outlined in the constitution. The economic implications of this amendment were extremely pronounced thanks to the banking laws whose introductions allowed individuals to evade taxes legally through varied strategies including government bonds, retirement accounts, as well as medical savings accounts. On the same note, the amendment triggered some social changes thanks to the economic changes. In an effort to avoid paying taxes, people made some modifications on their spending habits and sought ways of sheltering their money (Piven, 2006). It is worth noting that the amendment also triggered the development of movements that questioned government expenditure and allocation of resources, with the Sixteenth Amendment being responsible for the enhanced quality of life. The expanded federal government authority had implications on the political structures as it gave the federal government powers that it did not have, something that negated the ruling of the Supreme Court (Piven, 2006). In fact, the amendment is credited with allowing the Internal Revenue Service to increase its staff over the subsequent years.

In conclusion, federal government has been a fundamental pillar of the United States. It has been deriving its authority from the constitution and the acts of congress. Over time, it has been expanding its authority to meet the dynamics of the day, with the expansion coming mainly from constitutional amendments. One of the most crucial instances where the federal government had its authority expanded was the enactment of 13th Amendment, which abolished slave trade. This gave congress powers to make legislation on the same, authority it didn’t have. It also affected production as slave labor reduced considerably, and exposed the discrepancies between the law and the realities on how slaves were treated. In addition, the federal government expanded its authority through the 16th Amendment of 1913, which allowed it to keep taxes instead of subdividing them among the states. This allowed individuals and corporate to come up with legal methods of avoiding taxes. It also altered spending habits of individuals, and had the political implication of giving the federal government powers it did not have. It led to the expansion of Internal Revenue Service staff over the years.

References

Piven, F. F. (2006). Challenging authority: How ordinary people change America. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.

Federalism and Environmental Action

Introduction

At a time when consumerism and lifestyle patterns are determined by globalization orientation at all levels of personal and corporate, outlook effective environmental management is the most critical concept in enhancing sustainable development. This has been undermined by climate change that is implicated for steering global warming and the relative environmental degradation. Western countries have been blamed for the increasing temperatures and subsequent climate change. Their industries release huge volumes of carbon dioxide and other green house gases like methane to the atmosphere. Further, they have been blamed for pollution of underground water resources through solid waste disposal. Of great concern has been their pollution of water resources using industrial wastes and injecting heavy metals in the deep sea bed.

While some have implemented policies to curb the practice, Canada lags behind and lacks a distinct policy to address this issue. This can be attributed to various issues that range from lack of political will to poor governance and inappropriate policy formulation. Its counterparts like the United States have adopted clear environmental laws and policies that govern their industrial activities. Critics contend that its efforts in enforcing sustainable a sustainable environmental policy have been very minimal. It is in this consideration that this paper provides a clear comparison of three articles. These seek to underscore the effort of the government with regards to implementing a viable environmental action plan. Notably, this would contribute towards the global efforts of reducing emission of carbon and other green house gases that undermine the quality of the environment.

Janice Mackinnon “The Green Shift”

In his analysis, Mackinnon (2008) attributes the loss of the liberals to the Green shift policy that sought to introduce carbon tax to oil refining industry and the wholesalers involved in the business. Various concerns were raised by different groups of individuals about the implications of the policy especially to the Western Canada that could reportedly be hit the hardest. The precautionary concerns that were presented to the party before the election were ignored by the Liberals. This culminated in widespread public distrust of the liberal party especially by the westerners. Mackinnon (2008) noted that although the party partly relied on the various presumptions made by scholars, it did not heed the cautionary measures that the same had proposed.

Essentially, the Green shift proposes that income taxes be shifted to carbon as a measure of pricing the same and reducing emissions of green house gases. In addition, it proposed a distribution of income among regions and groups of populations. This had diverse implications on the balance between the provincial and state governments. Although it is indicated that part of the money was expected to be returned to the tax payers, it is posited that only an insignificant thirty percent of this was channeled to reduction of poverty and enhancement of child care. Notably, regional inequalities had been initially cited by various scholars to be at the center stage of any carbon tax policy.

The scholars who came up with the idea contended that this tax would ensure that the individuals that polluted the environment pay for the resultant environmental costs. Further, they cited that this policy would impact more on the regions that produce more oil than those that did not. As such, measures needed to be undertaken to reduce the inherent inequality.

One of the proposed counter measures was for the federal government to enforce a similar price across the region. Most importantly, it was proposed that the consumers, rather than the retailers and producers should pay for the environmental costs because of the fact that they use the produce more wastes to the environment than the latter. Notably, the liberal party did not address this concerns and this contributed significantly to their loss in the 2008 elections. Besides having massive impacts on the westerners, The British Columbia could have suffered immensely. This is because by then, it was struggling to pay a provincial carbon tax.

This experience has been cited to be a classic example of the implications of not involving the provinces in policy formulations at the state level. If it could have been implemented, this would have implied that British Columbia needed to pay double taxes. The liberal party had been advised to ensure that the federal government partners with its provincial counterparts in enforcement of this policy. Just like the federal government, provincial jurisdictions had the authority to enforce environmental legislation. The collaboration would prevent conflicts as any difference between the two bodies would be reconciled before policy enforcement. The failure of the liberal party to heed this led to the widespread public distrust in its mode of governance.

Seemingly, other provinces that were not directly affected by this such as Manitoba did not support the liberal ideology. Basically, they felt that the party was insensitive to the specific needs of the population in the west. At this juncture, Mackinnon (2008) ascertains that the liberals need to begin by restoring the lost trust in the Western provinces before they can think of running for elections again.

Pembina Institute/David Suzuki “Report Recommendations damaging to West and All Canadians

In this article, the author contends that the initial report underestimates the implications of the proposed policy on the economy of the westerners and the Canadian economy as a whole. These pertain to the proposed policy suggestions that seek to reduce green house gas production by the region. It indicates that as much as viable measures need to be adopted to reduce the emission of green house gases, these should not negatively affect certain parts of the population. This is compounded by the fact that the related implications are likely to have permanent effects on the welfare of this population In particular, it maintains that regional differences need to be accorded utmost attention through appreciation and accommodation.

Pembina Institute/David Suzuki “Climate Leadership

This report begins by appreciating the scientific fact that there is dire need to reduce carbon emission in order to curb global warming that has detrimental effects on human welfare. It also appreciates that a significant amount of the emissions are attributable to industrialized countries including Canada. It cites that the Canadian government is committed to making vital policy changes in order to cut its emissions by 20-25% by 2020. Analysis of these presumptions indicated that indeed, Canada has the capacity to achieve these goals and still enjoy significant economic growth, improved quality of life and increased job creation. In order to achieve this, the government needs to enforce stricter policies than the ones being utilized presently.

Some of the suggested options include enforcing a carbon price across the economy coupled with public investments and strong complementary regulations. Specific target areas would be Alberta and Saskatchewan that are notable for producing huge emissions through burning petroleum and production of coal fired electricity. The report projected that Canada’s Gross Domestic product would increase by twenty seven per cent even after the implementation of the carbon reduction policy. Likewise, it posits that the creation of new jobs is likely to grow at 10.7 percent while creating close to 1.86 million jobs. Comparatively, this is higher than the jobs created under normal conditions.

The main technologies that would be employed in achieving this include: use of cleaner energy in the place of fossil fuels; large-scale employment of renewable energy such as solar and wind; enhancing energy efficiency in various sectors including conditioning and transport reducing the percentage of fugitive emissions that are mainly released from and fills and oils and gas industry and finally capturing and storing the carbon dioxide that is released by the gas and oil industry. The country also seeks to reduce the international volumes through purchase of the same. This is due to the recognition that credible reduction of Green House Gases is likely to generate international benefits.

The carbon pricing policy that is presented in this policy stipulates that the emitters need to pay for each tonne that they release in the atmosphere. This would be done through payment of emission tax or buying the emission allowances that are auctioned by the government. Half of the generated income would then be distributed to the population through reduction of their income tax. The remaining would be directed to funding public investments that seek to reduce green house gases and to protect the global competitiveness of the country by cushioning the manufacturing companies that are vulnerable.

At this juncture, it can be appreciated that all articles provide useful insights with that highlight the efforts of the Canadian government in developing a sound environmental policy. To begin with, all articles appreciate the fact that carbon emission in the atmosphere has reached dangerous levels that require each country to take legal measures to control the same. It is ascertained that the countries in the developed world are responsible for massive emission of green house gases. Canada acknowledges the fact that its industrial activities contribute significantly to the green house gases. As such, there is need to adopt policies to help reverse the situation and save the planet of the far reaching implications of climate change and global warming. In addition, all articles acknowledge that the western provinces are likely to be the worst hit by any policy that seeks to address this problem. This is because they emit more volumes of green house gases in the atmosphere than their counterparts.

In both articles, the emission tax is presented as one of the most effective and sustainable options of controlling carbon emission. This is characterized by introducing a carbon price as way of reducing emission. However the two authors that evaluate this assume different approaches. Zahran, Brody and Vedlitz (2008) cite that in the article presented by Mackinnon, the liberal party fails to incorporate various easier that would address the critical issue of inequality that is likely to emanate from this. This is irrespective of the fact that it was informed well in advance by scholars and other critics. This led to their loss in the elections as most of their supporters lost trust in their ideologies. The policy would have massive impacts on the wellbeing of the western provinces. However, other provinces that there unaffected voted against them because of their lack of sensitivity on issues that affected the population. This implied that the reduction of carbon emissions is a sensitive issue that would require various intricate and integrated approaches to deal with the same in an effective manner (Blake, Neil & Peter, 2007).

Both articles present the preposition that rather than the producers and the wholesalers, the consumers of the carbon products should bear the burden of the carbon price. They both contend that proceeds from this need to be employed in reducing the income tax of populations. However, unlike Mackinnon (2008), Bramley, Pierre and Dale (2009) provide a more elaborate way of using the proceeds from the carbon tax. Notably, the carbon reduction initiatives as presented by the latter would be used in reducing the levels of green house gases in the atmosphere. It would be a rewarding form of employment that would enable population to earn an income. In addition, the later report incorporates the issue of making the tax uniform that was previously avoided by the liberals.

Unlike Mackinnon (2008), Bramey et al (2009) also presents to the audience alternative and sustainable forms of energy as well as policies and regulations that would supplement and complement the efforts of the tax policy. Comparatively, Blake et al (2007) contends that this can be considered a better approach that employs multiple approaches to address a complex environmental issue. The report by Bramey et al (2009) also provides the reader with a review of the economic implications of the carbon tax policy and argues that if implemented, it would even yield more benefits than the current condition. This presumption is accredited with factual statistical evidence. This is a challenge to the Canadian government and the governments of other developed countries to weigh the costs and benefits of the policy and implement viable options accordingly.

Conclusion

From the review, it is certain that the environmental degradation and global warming is being contributed to by the massive emissions that stem from industrial activity. Implementation of relevant policies in Canada has been stalled by various complexities that are politically instigated. In order to achieve optimal results, there is need for this government to adopt the approach presented by Bramey et al (2009) as it reconciles the previous gaps and provides a more elaborate and distinct approach to addressing environmental pollution and global warming in a sustainable manner. Considering the fact that it has significant benefits, governments at all levels need to adopt its provisions. This would be instrumental in reducing the levels of carbon in the atmosphere and enhancing economic development at the same time.

References

Blake, D., Neil, G. & Peter, A. (2007). Environmental Action in Canada. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 5, 68-91.

Bramley, M., Pierre, S. & Dale, M. (2009). Climate leadership, Economic Prosperity. Final Report on an Economic Study of Greenhouse Gas Targets and Policies for Canada. Pembina Institute and David Suzuki Foundation, 2009.

MacKinnon, J. (2008). “The Green Shift, the Liberals, and the West.” Policy Options, November, 34-39.

Zahran, S., Brody, S. & Vedlitz, A. (2008). Climate Change Vulnerability. Society and Natural Resources, 19, 770-90.

Insert name

Instructors’ name

Course

Date

Federalist No. 57 and the Legislative Branch

United States of America is one of the respected and adored countries in the world. The country has a population of about 314 million. Due to its large population, it is demarcated into several states. Prevalently, the country has fifty States; just to mention a few, California, Washington, New Hampshire, New York. America is a federal constitutional republic, that is, it is governed by the federal constitution. Apparently, the principal elective posts in the States include The President, who is the head of the State, he/she is elected by all citizens of the States. On the other hand, Senators are elected by citizens in each fifty State; this means each State has a Senator. Similarly, the Congress is an elective post; citizens of each state are allocated a given number of Congresses to elect. Apparently, if a State has a myriad population then more seats for Congress is awarded. On the other hand, if a State has less population then it is followed by fewer seats of Congress. Generally, Congress is an imperative position since it forms the House of Representative. (Frisch and Kelly 75). The House of representative is to pass laws and articulate problems affecting the populace. The paper endeavors to highlight the reasons why the House of Representative should have ample number of Congress for equal and fair representation of the citizens. It also discusses the importance of the House in line with it responsibility, this means, only right and genuine candidates should be elected to represent the citizens.

Apparently, the House of Representative is a powerful legislative branch. To start with, the house is entitled to the passage of federal legislation. Notably, this is a vital role since it concerned with the passage of laws. Typically, the congress is expected to be sober and uncompromised leaders to ensure the right laws are passed. The Congress must not at all pass only the law which favors themselves and few classes of rich people. This will cause injustice to the poor and the majority of the citizens. Similarly, the leaders in the House must also ensure they truly represent the citizens’ plights, as these ensure justice is achieved, the electorate should vote for the congress that possesses admirable virtues that include honesty, wisdom and trust (Sneider 67). Additionally, the leaders to be chosen should be affectionate to the problems, which affect the citizens. As a matter of fact, for the United States to have a House of Representatives that perform in the interest of the citizens, then the qualifications to be a congress should be made simple to allow any citizens to contest for the seat.

Apparently, the author has totally repudiated the mode which is used to elect the congress to the office. For instance, for a candidate to contest for a Congressional seat he/she should possess wealth, religious faith and civic professed. Apparently, the physical wealth should not be used as measure eligibility. This is because it limits the citizens who are poor and are capable of serving the citizens well. This means the candidates who do not possess wealth are precluded. Apparently, such a system is unfair and unjust as it does not display fairness. In addition, only few citizens are allowed to participate in the electoral process in the case of a Congress (Baughman 58). Five to Six thousand cannot choose a fit representative, in these cases the federal constitution should be amended to allow a larger population to participate in the process. As such, will ensure only candidates, who value citizen’s problems are elected, it will also ensure there is a fair representation. Since the House of Representatives is vital, the number of Congress that forms the House should be expanded. As such, limits few people who intend to serve their own selfish interest. If such powers are left in the hands of a few elevated leaders; the leaders will only make laws which favor themselves and a rich class in the society (Baughman 61). A larger House of Representative ensures there is equal representation and only laws which favor the citizens are past. Apparently, the system naturally elevates only a few leaders in the public office/ to make matters worse, the few who are elevated are mostly voted by the rich. Once they assume the office, the leaders will serve their greedy interest and the interest of the rich who placed them in the office.

Today, the United States is in line with the authors’ arguments. The political structure of America has embraced fairness and justice to the poor and constituents at large. To start with, in the 17th century, the house had a few numbers of representatives, about 65. Worth noting is the fact that the Representatives in the House now has gone to about 435. Secondly, the federal law has done away with the wealth as a qualifying factor (Sneider 44). It only requires the candidate to be a citizen of America for the last seven years and of at least 25 years and resident of the State.

In conclusion, I totally concur with the author, the elevation of the few members to the House of Representative, will lead to greediness and selfishness. As such leaders will solely serve themselves at the expense of the poor public. The number of members in the house should be increased and also a larger number of citizens be permitted to participate in the electoral process. Wealth should not be used as a qualification for a congress.

Works Cited

Frisch, Scott A. and Kelly, Sean Q. “Committee Assignment Politics In The U.S House Of Representative.” USA: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006. Print

Sneider, N. O. “House of Representative Of The United States.” New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2001. Print

Baughman, John. “Common Ground: Committee Politics In The U.S House Of Representative.” California: Stamford University Press, 2006. Print

FDI in UAE

Name

Affiliation FDI

This is noted as the foreign direct investment. It is the complete ownership of a business in a given country by an entity owned in a different country. It is differentiated from portfolio foreign investment by the element of control.

There are two type of FDI that UAE supports. One, UAE supports horizontal direct investment. This is whereby a particular country undertakes activities in a given country in order to expand their operations into another new market. UAE uses this type of FDI in order to foster increase of exports as well as to increase GDP. For instance, the company currently has opened embassies in various countries around the world. With the existence of oil in the UAE most countries are willing to allow the country to invest in their respective nations. One of the activities that UAE performs in this countries is by taking part in tourism exhibitions. UAE has the best tourism sector in the world at the moment. Therefore, it open market for their tourism industry.

The other is vertical FDI. This is the establishment by firm to create manufacturing facilities in various countries. However, this countries must have an input into it. For example, the UAE has been on the eve of establishing manufacturing firms around the world such as oil firms.

It is clear that UAE supports FDI in another country. For example, since the UAE is on the eve of establishing it SMEs, it has been investing in other countries via FDI in order to gain more insights on SME business. It has given the country a clear cut of investment.

The companies that invest FDI outside UAE are few. For the case of this paper, the companies are SMEs and Oil companies. This has led to increase sales as well as growth of the companies in international arena as well as domestic.

Reference

Mina, W. (2012). Inward FDI in the United Arab Emirates and its policy context.

Executive Summary

Brazil, formally the Federative Republic of Brazil is marginally littler than the United States. Being the world’s fifth biggest nation and biggest populace nation in Latin America with around 190 million and is encompassed by rich vegetation particularly in the northern districts, and unfathomable wetland territories. Its fundamental fares incorporate produced merchandise, espresso, iron and other rural items. Most of the populace in Brazil is Roman Catholics (90%), and their ethnicities make up are 45% of white which incorporates Portuguese, Italian, German, Polish and Spanish, 39% of blended white and dark,8% of dark and a sprinkling of Japanese and Amerindians (5%). About everybody talks Portuguese, and there are no contrasts between territories aside from stresses and vocabulary (on the same page). This is one of the factors that makes the country a hub for residency in the region.

Among all South American nations, Mexico on the other hand is the most compelling, separated from being one of the world’s greatest democracies. Having since a long time ago understood that local investment funds won’t be sufficient to manage long haul high development rates, the arrangements of Mexico by and large incline towards the consolation of remote venture. Accordingly, it has been the best recipient from Latin America’s remote immediate speculation. By the by, much still needs to be carried out to upgrade its duty regulations for a more favorable environment for speculations.

Brazil and Mexico have a ton to offer to the intrigued organizations. Monetarily, it has an inexorably balanced out money related ability to withstand monetary business instability. As indicated by Political Risk Yearbook: Brazil Country Forecast by The PRS Group, sets besides, the sizeable seaward oil and gas fields recently found may likewise instrumental in making and lighting up the economy of Brazil be one of the best arranged in South America to withstand a customer headed retreat in the US. It additionally has extraordinary residential business sector potential, adequate business regulations and positive work overheads. Its fabricated items represent a powerful experience fares, and one may hopefully accept the conservation of the basic macroeconomic security (in the same place).

Furthermore, the primary basic need players have officially made key cooperation, joint wanders and customary cooperatives to make an ideal environment for the field. Enhanced quality and expense have been received and institutionalized for the retailers’ and suppliers’ items and practices, which have prompted further methods for particular specialties for little and medium contenders (in the same place). Plus, an alternate extraordinary open door is if the nation were to settle and diminish its household obligation, as it would open up entryways for turning into the essential supplier of things in Asia, and particularly of China.

Open obligation for Mexico has yet to fade, and the state is still not entirely impenetrable to sharp decreases in costs of crude materials. The late patterns of abating credit and its specifically corresponding connection to retail deals figures are additionally a reason for sympathy toward outside retail speculators. In any case, in light of the administration’s boost bundles, facilitating money related strategy, in spite of the fact that the outcomes of the worldwide monetary emergency on Brazil will bring about GDP withdrawal at around 1.7% in 2009, the financial will be recuperated reasonably in 2010 to 2.7%. Cutting premium rate and lessening prerequisites of bank store to lower expansion rate, the monetary capability of Brazil is foreseen to be solid and its financial standpoint both in medium and long haul is splendid

FEA Program

The Basic Principle of Finite Element Analysis

Finite element analysis is a method that is designed to obtain approximate solutions to complex engineering problems. It is a numerical technique that is based on the premise that complex engineering problems can be solved by subdividing them into smaller problems or into more manageable elements and then solving them separately. According to Rao (2011, p. 11), the behaviour of a model can be described using complex partial differential equation. By considering the behaviours of the finite elements that comprise a model, these equations can be reduced into less complex linear equations that can be solved with ease using the standard methods of matrix algebra. Thus, finite element method applies these standard methods of matrix algebra to solve equations derived from a set of finite elements that make a model.

According to Rao (2011, p. 11), any particular variable in a complex problem has an infinite number of values since it is a function of each point or node within a structure. Therefore, a problem describing a model comprise of an infinite number of unknown values. The finite element method is used to solve such a problem in three major phases: Pre-processing phase, analysis phase and post-processing phase (Rao, 2011, p. 11). The first step in the Pre-processing phase involves subdividing a model or solution region into finite elements. This is done by taking into account any symmetry, loadings, material changes or boundary conditions. The unknown variables within each element are then expressed in terms of less complex set of functions describing each element. These functions are then defined in terms of the unknown variables at specific points known as nodes (Rao, 2011, p. 11). Nodes or nodal points reflect the changes in geometry, material properties, applied loads and constraint conditions. These points usually lie on the boundaries between elements. The less complex functions representing finite elements are then selected to represent the differences in variables within an element. This process is known as meshing. As Rao (2011, p. 12) points out, polynomials are used as the functions for the variables since they are easier to differentiate and integrate. The degree of polynomials selected is dependent on the number of unknown variables at each nodal point, the number of nodal points that are assigned to each finite element and the continuity requirements imposed at interpolation boundaries and at the nodes.

After the finite element mesh has been successfully established, matrix functions expressing the properties of each finite element are formed. This can be done in three different methods namely; direct method, weighed residual method and the variation method (Huebner et al, 2001, p. 301). Direct method is used for simple problems only. The weighed residual method is done by evaluating the equations assigned to the finite elements directly from its governing directional equation. The variation method involves reducing the potential energy of a system and as Huebner et al (2001, p. 301) point out, it is a more straight forward approach compared to the weighed residual method. According to Huebner et al (2001, p. 301), the weighed residual method is more accurate and powerful since any complex problem can be described by one or more differential functions. The last step in the pre-processing stage involves incorporation of boundary conditions. The boundary conditions are applied at the nodal points.

The second phase is the analysis or solution phase. This phase involves calculation of matrix equations for each finite element. As Huebner et al (2001, p. 301) explain, when nodal points are only at the corners of elements, these elements are known as simplex elements and the solution process for the equations assigned on them involves exact evaluation. However, when there are nodal points in between the corner nodes, the elements are known as high order elements and equations assigned on them are evaluated using numerical integration (Huebner et al, 2001, p. 302). The system equations are solved either by elimination method or wavefront method to give the unknown values at the nodal points. The post-processing phase involves calculation of displacements and strains or stresses. Simplex elements are evaluated at nodes while high-order elements are evaluated at integration points. Finally, the nodal values are averaged and the results are presented in printed or plotted format.

Application of FEM software in industry

According to Desai (2012, p. 31), FEM was originally developed for the purpose of analyzing aircraft structures. However, it has increasingly become applicable to a wide variety of problems in engineering. Currently, FEM is used in industries to solve a wide variety of boundary value problems which can be grouped into three categories namely, (1) time-independent or steady state or equilibrium problems (2) eigenvalue problems and (3) transient or propagation problems. According to Desai (2012, p. 31), FEM is mostly used in time-independent problems. In a steady-state problem, FEM is used to find the stress distribution or the steady-state displacement if it is a solid mechanical problem, heat flux or temperature distribution if it is a heat transfer problem and velocity or pressure distribution if it is a fluid mechanics problem.

In eigenvalue problems also, time will not explicitly appear (Desai, 2012, p. 31). These kinds of problems are extensions of steady-state problems but with additional need to determine critical values of certain parameters, on top of the corresponding time-independent configurations. In these kinds of problems, FEM helps to determine the buckling loads and mode shapes of the natural frequencies if it is a structure or a solid mechanics problem, resonance characteristic if it is an electrical circuit problem and stability of laminar flows if it is a fluid mechanics problem (Desai, 2012, p. 31). The transient or propagation problems are time-dependent. These problems arise when, for instance, one tries to determine the response of a body under sudden heating or cooling in a heat transfer field or while under time-varying force in solid mechanics area.

A brief description of the application of FEM in various engineering fields is essential in order to understand how these problems are solved. In an aerospace engineering and structural mechanics, FEM application include steady state conditions in shell structures, plates, beams, torsion and stress analysis of various structures (Desai, 2012, p. 32). An Eigenvalue analysis includes analysis of natural frequency of structures, vibrations, visco-elastic damping and stability of structures. The transient analysis includes stress wave propagation, dynamic response of models to periodic loads and thermo-elastic and visco-elastic problems. FEM applications in mechanical engineering include transient and steady thermo analysis in fluids and solids, automotive design and analysis, stress analysis in solids and manufacturing process simulation (Desai, 2012, p. 32). Applications in geotechnical engineering include slope stability analysis, stress analysis, seepage of fluids in solids and soils, soil structure interactions, analysis of tunnels, dams and boreholes and propagation of stress waves.

In fluid mechanics, hydraulic and water resources engineering, applications of FEM include analysis of steady and transient seepage and porous media and aquifers, pollution and salinity studies of surface and sub-surface water problems, analysis of fluids movements in containers, internal and external flow analysis, analysis of water distribution networks and sediment transport analysis (Desai, 2012, p. 32). Applications in nuclear engineering include steady and dynamic analysis of thermo-elastic and viso-elastic reactor components, reactor containment structures and steady and transient temperature distribution analysis of reactors. In electronics and electrical engineering, FEM applications include analysis of electromagnetic, electrical network, thermo-sonic wire bond, insulation design in high voltage equipments, heat analysis in electronic and electrical equipments, molding process analysis in encapsulation of integrated circuits and dynamic analysis in motors. In metallurgical engineering, FEM is applied in metallurgical process simulation, casting and molding (Desai, 2012, p. 32). It is also applied in simulation of chemical processes, chemical reaction simulations and in transport processes such as diffusion and advection. It is widely applied in environmental engineering in areas of air pollution modeling, pollutant transport modeling, environmental process simulation and land-fill analysis. FEM is applied in meteorology in wind predictions, climate predictions and monsoon prediction. Finally it is applied in bioengineering in prediction of blood circulation, human organs simulation and total synthesis of human body (Desai, 2012, p. 32). Generally, the mode of application of FEM extends to all engineering fields in industries.

References

Desai, Y. M. 2012. Finite Element Method with applications in Engineering, Pearson Education, New Delhi

Huebner, K. H., Dewhirst, D. L., Smith, D. E. & Byrom, T. G. (2001), The Finite Element Method for Engineers, John Wiley & Sons, London

RAO, S. S. 2011. The Finite Element Method in Engineering. Butterworth-Heinemann, New York

FedEx Corporation

Student’s name

Institutional affiliation

Table of contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..3

Measurements of success ……………………………………………………….3

Reasons underpinning the success of FedEx Corporation ………………………7

Innovative culture: Employees satisfaction …………………………….7

Marketing and brand reputation ………………………………………..9

Intended strategy of acquisition ………………………………………..9

Adoption of Effective Strategic Management………………………… 10

Use of the ‘360-feedback’ system ………………………………………10

FedEx Corporation’s reliability and integrity …………………………..10

Justification of FedEx Corporation’s success ……………………………………11

The VRIN framework …………………………………………………..11

Value ………………………………………………………..11

Rarity ………………………………………………………..12

Inimitability …………………………………………………13

Non-substitutability ………………………………………….13

Summary of VRIN framework ………………………………14

Value chain framework ………………………………………………….14

Leadership of FedEx Corporation ……………………………………………….15

Fielder Contingency Model ………………………………………………16

Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory ……………………………..17

Continuation of FedEx Corporation’s success …………………………………..18

FedEx Corporation

Introduction

FedEx Corporation, also known as Federal Express Company LTD, is a holding company that offers services like e-commerce, provision of portfolio of transportation and other business related services within the FedEx brand. Additionally, this company is a fast delivery corporation that provides timely deliveries in a span of one to three working days within the markets it operated. Plunket (2008) described FedEx as “one of the fastest growing corporations in America”. It is worth noting that this company has smaller branches called the FedEx Ground Package Systems and the FedEx Corporate Services. The FedEx Ground Package System, also known as the FedEx Ground, provides limited-package ground deliveries within its markets while the FedEx Corporate Services (FedEx Services) assist FedEx Corporation affiliates with marketing, communication, IT and back office support (Plunkett, 2008).

Measurements of success

There are quite a number of indicators that the success of a company. Different managers and organizations use different indicators to measure their levels of success and identify areas of failure. In the FedEx Corporation, for instance, there are a number of indicators that show the company’s success over the past ten years. FedEx Corporation can be examined by its net profit margins as a mode of determining its level of success over the years. Accumulation of assets is also an important indicator for determining the level of success of a company (Sapru, 2008; Daft, 2010; Knecht, 2014; Day, 2004). This section of the paper will use FedEx Corporation’s financial records for the past ten years in determining its level of success.

Graph 1

Assets

(Findlay, Chia, & Singh, 1997)

The volume of FedEx Corporation’s assets has been increasing considerably from 2004 to 2013. The company’s assets like cash and cash equivalents, receivables, deferred income taxes and prepaid expenses have increased steadily over the past ten years. This is a direct indicator that the company registers a healthy growth. Even though the total current assets of the company reduced slightly in 2012, there was a swift recoup in 2013 as shown in the Graph 1 above. The reduction in overall current assets might have been as a result of unavoidable business environments, but the quick recuperation in 2013 is an indicator that the company has measures of curbing business uncertainties.

Graph 2

Common stockholders’ investments

The investment of stockholders is an important aspect of a company. An increase in these investments is an indication that stockholders have trust in the company and that they see no risk of investing further in the company. As a result, increased stockholders’ investments show that a company is doing well.

(Findlay, Chia, & Singh, 1997)

The Graph 2 above indicates that FedEx Corporation has been improving since 2004 to date. This is because the accumulated investments of its stockholders have increased steadily since 2004 to 2013. There was, however, as slight reduction in 2012 but the increase realized in the following year indicated a positive growth.

Graph 3

Annual consolidated statement income

Another good indicator for a company’s success is accumulated revenue realized every financial year. A decrease in revenue accumulated during each financial year indicates that a company is on the verge of collapse while increased revenue in consecutive financial years is an indication of success.

(McKinsey, 2000)

A close examination of FedEx Corporation’s revenue gives promising results. FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight and FedEx Services have also registered an increase in their total revenues over the last ten years. As indicated in the Graph 3 above, there has been a steady growth in revenue for this company over the last ten years and this is an indication of success.

Graph 4

Revenue per package

Just like every other company, the success of FedEx Corporation has been highly dependent on the success of its products. This is an implication that if the individual packages of this company yielded enough revenue to compete with the related production cost then the company’s performance would be perceived as quite impressive (Bohlander, & Snell, 2007).

(Findlay, Chia, & Singh, 1997)

As shown in the Graph 4 above, all the packages of FedEx Corporation registered as steady growth in the yield of revenue from 2004 to 2013. This is a direct implication that the company was growing during each financial year and that the company was doing well (Findlay, Chia, & Singh, 1997; Henderson, 2000; Punzel, 2011; Shaw, 2007; Young, 2009; Bentzel, 2006; Carroll, 2013; Davis, & Zutz, 2013).

Reasons underpinning the success of FedEx Corporation

Innovative culture: Employees satisfaction

(Bruce, 2014)

The culture of FedEx Corporation is identifiably innovative where there is an enormous trust of employees by the management. Owing to the dynamism of transportation and shipping markets, this company has inculcated a culture based on constant focus on customer and market behavior (Bruce, 2014). This is done in a bid to identify the shifts in the markets. Additionally, FedEx Corporation promotes innovation from both the lower and upper level employees. Perhaps this is the reason why the company constantly changes its modes of operation with the aim of assuring utter customer and employee satisfaction. It is true that employee satisfaction at FedEx Corporation is one of the major factors of the company’s success (Bohlander, & Snell, 2007). This is exemplified by the less that 1% employee turnover exhibited by this company. The figure above is a clear indication that the employees of FedEx Corporation rate their company very highly as opposed to how other employees rate their companies. This is all as a result of employee satisfaction realized at FedEx Corporation.

Marketing and brand reputation

Since FedEx Corporation has invested largely in innovation and integrity, the firm enjoys a highly esteemed brand reputation. It is important to note that the company markets itself in its local and international markets as a law-abiding company that is committed to maintain its high business standards and personal ethics of its employees. This promotion plan has since played a significant role in promoting the success of the company in not only its local markets but international markets as well. As a result, its corporate reputation has been pivotal in its success (Prince, & Simon, 2009).

Intended strategy of acquisition

The success of FedEx Corporation can be majorly attributed to its previous and intended acquisitions with the aim of facilitating growth. This company has grown enormously in the previous decade, mostly as a result of acquisition of transportation and logistics companies with the most recent being Flying Cargo Hungary Kft in 2007 and Servicios Nacionales Mupa, S.A. de C.V (MultiPack) in 2012. As if this is not enough, the company intends to acquire TATEX which is one of the most outstanding business to business transportation corporation based in France. It is projected that this acquisition would give the business unit of FedEx Corporation direct way into a nationwide domestic network that clears over 19 million consignments annually. This translates to about 150 million Euros in revenue per annum (Fleenor, & Prince, 1997; Eckes, 2002; Shaver, & American Society for Training and Development, 1998).

Adoption of Effective Strategic Management

Key to the success of FedEx is the well laid out strategic plans both in the short and long runs. Based on the objectives and misiion of the company that stipulates the need to grow and serve its purpose in the most effective way, the organization has managed to stand out as a success story, in the industry within which it operates. Arguably, the management that oversees the implementation of the set goals continue to pay a vital role in ensuring adherence to the culture, and expectation of the company. What is more, by insisting on a culture of continous improvement, FedEx’s management particularly, and all the stakeholders as a whole are attuned to the concept of focus, technological adoption and service improvement. Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson (1999) indicate that an organizations management are vested with the role of ensuring there is cohesion between the long term strategic goals and the day to day activities. Ultimately, these aspects have gone a longway in creating the successful organization FedEx has become.

Use of forward integration

This system was intended to track feedback in a circle and gave rise to the term 360 degree feedback system. It was meant to encourage the managing director of FedEx Corporation to have a direct contact with his employees and his employees with him. As a result of this system, critical insights concerning the leadership of the company were identified, thereby revealing the areas that needed improvement. In addition to that, the system was instrumental in improving the leadership abilities of not only the managing director but also other senior managers. As a result of this, FedEx Corporation enjoyed a smooth chain of command, hence making it more likely to perform better in delivery of services (Bohlander, & Snell, 2007).

FedEx Corporation’s organizational culture

It is important to note that the name FedEx is synonymous with reliability and integrity all over the world. This has been the principle reason why the company enjoys a strong corporate reputation it the markets amidst stiff competition from related corporations. FedEx Corporation has a convincing commitment to abiding by the laws that govern its operations and this gives it an edge over its competitors (Fleenor, & Prince, 1997). That notwithstanding, the company’s employees are guided by personal and business ethics all over the planet and this obviously makes FedEx Corporation the number one choice for transportation and logistics customers (Gold, & Shuman, 2009; Forssell, 2004; Robbins, 2011; Jones, & Bearley, 1996; Fleenor, & Prince, 1997; Eckes, 2002; Shaver, & American Society for Training and Development, 1998; Rao, Mahapatra, Rao, & Chawla, 2002; DiTullio, 2010; Bohlander, & Snell, 2007).

Justification of FedEx Corporation’s success

The VRIN framework

FedEx Corporation has widened its scope over the last decade to virtually all the continents of the world. This positions the company at a strategic spot to tackle its barriers and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in the overly competitive market. As a result of its length of stay in the markets, the company has a capacity to adapt to the changing markets while directing its focus towards meeting customer specific needs (Bohlander, & Snell, 2007).

It is important to note that the company’s constant innovation in service delivery makes it capable of amalgamating its competencies with the aim of adjusting to the dynamic transportation, logistics and e-commerce markets. Therefore, the VRIN framework is instrumental in identifying whether the innovation capacity of a company makes it able to attain a competitive advantage depending on whether the company is generally valuable, inimitable, rare and non-substitutable (Eckes, 2002).

Value

The innovative manner in which FedEx Corporation offers reliable and timely transportation and e-commerce services give its customers a sense of value for their money. Additionally, the company’s focus on integrity and conformation with the law differentiates it from the many competitors in the market. This, therefore, gives FedEx Corporation an edge over its competitors, thereby making it possible for the company to explore new niche markets and create value to its clients (Fleenor, & Prince, 1997). The creation of value to the customer eventually leads to competitive advantage. Having created value to its customers, it is worth noting that FedEx Corporation can use this as an advantage to implement premium pricing methods with the aim of increasing its profit margins.

Value in the eyes of the customer is also created by FedEx Corporation in its efforts to acquire more transportation, logistics and e-commerce companies across the globe. The expansion that comes as a result of these acquisitions leads to increased profit margins and savings (Fleenor, & Prince, 1997). Additionally, it lowers operational costs, thereby opening the company to opportunities for its competitive growth. Subsequently, this increases the number of loyal customers to the company; an indication that the company increases its competitive advantage (Fleenor, & Prince, 1997; Eckes, 2002)

Rarity

The aspect of rarity simply means the ability of FedEx Corporation to possess uncommon traits. Despite the fact that there are a number of players in the market where FedEx Corporation operates, it is worth noting that the company displays some rare characteristics that make it unique from the rest of the players (Bruce, 2014). For instance, the company’s determination to uphold the rule of law in all its operations inconsiderate of the territories within which it operates. This is a unique combination with service delivery that is not exhibited by many companies in scrambling for the same market (Schermerhorn, 2011).

That aside, the company’s determination to carry out its operations with utter integrity makes it rare. This is because the transportation business is marred with corruption (Catherine, Michael, and Natalia, 2008). As already mentioned before, FedEx Corporation endeavors to uphold a high standard of personal and business ethics (Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012). For this reason, the company’s move to promote business ethics in a market marred by unjust business transactions makes it exceptionally rare thereby making it achieve a sustainable competitive advantage (Eckes, 2002).

Inimitability

FedEx Corporation’s innovative culture from its management methods to operational methods makes it practically difficult for competitors to imitate. For instance, the application of the 360-feedback system is a strategy that many competitors cannot apply as their own management system (DiTullio, 2010). The manner in which FedEx Corporation engages its employees in all the levels of management also makes it difficult of its competitors to imitate. As a result of this, the company achieves a sustainable competitive advantage from its inimitable characteristics (Schermerhorn, 2011).

Another important aspect of FedEx Corporation’s inimitability is its acquisition procedures. Owing to its many years of existence since 1971, the company has acquired numerous companies hence has stretched its influences to all the markets of the word. It is difficult for new players to match this level of success hence giving it an upper hand in competitive advantage (Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012; Scott, & United States, 1975; Schermerhorn, 2011).

Non-substitutability

The combination of value, rarity and inimitability makes FedEx Corporation irreplaceable in the market share. As a result of this, the three distinctive traits give the company a raised level of competitive advantage. This, therefore, makes it difficult for competitors to substitute FedEx Corporation. However, it is important to note that the firm has almost zero control over the same services being offered at lower prices by rival companies. Even though the substitute services may not be as good as those offered by FedEx Corporation, the counterfeit services provides customers with services that can meet their needs thereby damaging the sustainable advantage already established by FedEx Corporation (Scott, & United States, 1975).

Summary of VRIN framework

The VRIN framework discussed above proves that FedEx Corporation’s management and operational culture as well as innovations are valuable, inimitable and rare. These have hence contributed to the company’s success and the sustainable competitive advantage the company has created during all its years of operation (Shaver, & American Society for Training and Development, 1998). However, it is worth nothing that FedEx Corporation faces the problem of substitution where some or all its competitive services are substituted with cheaper and poor quality services by its rival companies. This might pose some serious challenges to the sustained competitive advantage in the near future (Schermerhorn, 2011).

Value chain framework

Aside from the VRIN framework, it is important to note that the success of FedEx Corporation can also be attributed to its international strategy that is meant to make good use of its major competencies through its capacity of creativity on a global scope. Some scholars have since come up with an unequivocal international strategy framework that highlights the major aspects that determine the FedEx Corporation approach to exploring a number of geographical markets. This approach is instrumental in helping the company expand its international markets in a bid to achieve sustainable competitive advantage (Scott, & United States, 1975).

504825279400International drivers

International drivers

38195253810Geographic advantage

Geographic advantage

2247900107950International strategy

International strategy

3867150233680Mode of entry

Mode of entry

552450233680Market selection

Market selection

(Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012; Scott, & United States, 1975; Schermerhorn, 2011)

The acquisition of various companies by FedEx Corporation was championed by a number of geographical indicators. This was most evident when the company acquired the ANC Holdings Limited in 206 which was a domestic transportation corporation based in the UK. This was a move to enter the UK market, which was very lucrative at that time. This acquisition, amongst many others made in that decade, was important to FedEx Corporation because they expanded its scope in foreign markets (Schermerhorn, 2011).

Many see the move by FedEx Corporation to capture various markets across the globe as a guarantee of the company’s continuation and success in the coming years. This is because FedEx Corporation continues to explore new markets and continues to advance its innovation and management culture in a bid to meet customers’ needs and achieve employee satisfaction and motivation. FedEx Corporation takes advantage of its brand reputation to stretch its influence in newer markets in order to secure its future amidst increasing competition (Scott, & United States, 1975).

Leadership of FedEx Corporation

An organization is as good as its leadership. This implies that the leadership of a business institution has a direct impact on the direction which the organization takes as far as wealth creation is concerned. FedEx Corporation recent success may be accredited to the application of the 360-feedback system that has eased to transfer of information from manager to employee and from employee to manager (DiTullio, 2010). The success of this company may also be attributed to its integrity and reliability. FedEx Corporation shares a market with unscrupulous companies that do not care about integrity, especially because it’s associated with a slight increase in operating cost (Scott, & United States, 1975; Schermerhorn, 2011). However, the company has maintained its high level of integrity despite the fact that it contributes to a slight increase in its operational costs. Most of all, every success of this company is attributed to its chairman, president and chief executive officer Mr. Fredrick W. Smith. It is important to note that all these come as a result of FedEx Corporation’s management, which can best be described using two leadership models (DiTullio, 2010). They include:

Fiedler Contingency Model

Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory

5.0.1 Fielder Contingency Model

The Fiedler Contingency Model of leadership asserts that the effectiveness of leadership within an organization is highly dependent on the relationship between the leadership style applied and the situational control. This style of model is vivid in FedEx Corporation from the leadership style of the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer Mr. Fredrick W. Smith. The president of FedEx Corporation has highly structured tasks like managing all the subsidiary branches of the company. As already mentioned in the reasons underpinning FedEx Corporation’s success in this paper, virtually all the subsidiary branches of this company are doing well in terms of growth and profit margins (Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012).

In addition to managing the subsidiary branches of FedEx Corporation effectively, Mr. Smith has also been instrumental in establishing the exemplary leader-member relationship that has since encouraged an organizational culture that promotes a ‘family’ type of coexistence (DiTullio, 2010). This culture has since promoted trust, confidence, respect and communication amongst employees and managers of different levels. Consequently, this culture has eased the president’s decision-making task because he easily consults with the rest of the employees in order to brainstorm and come up with the best policies and strategies (Schermerhorn, 2011).

The Fiedler Contingency Model suggests that the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer Mr. Fredrick W. Smith is a task-oriented manager who carries out his duties as the key influencer of decisions to the rest of the managers. He does this by coming up with individual brand goals that are instrumental in driving the company further in its success. That notwithstanding, the president is portrayed by the model as the key contributing factor to not only the company’s success, but also the high level of employee engagement and the low labor turnout realized by the company.

5.0.2 Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory

Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational theory is more of a contingency strategy as opposed to a standard procedure for the day to day operations. This theory purports that the leadership of an organization depends on individual situations. As a result, a single leadership style cannot be sufficient in tackling all the organizational situations (DiTullio, 2010). It is important to note that this theory is related to the leadership style applied at FedEx Corporation. Prior to the launch of Express Nacional in October 2008, FedEx Corporation purposefully increased employee engagement with the aim of effectuating the launch of the product. This new product was meant to introduce a delivery service that would see the company deliver goods to any address in México overnight. FedEx Corporation used employee engagement to tackle leadership skills and moral issues in one of the departments that was not performing as required by the company (Berger, 2011; Kotler, Pfoertsch, & Michi, 2006; Plunkett, 2008; Plunkett, 2009; Punnett, & Shenkar, 2004; Hopfe, 1968; Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012; Scott, & United States, 1975; Schermerhorn, 2011).

Continuation of FedEx Corporation’s success

In spite of the overall success of FedEx Corporation, the company can still do a little more in order to further its success. It is noteworthy how well the company has done, especially in its local markets. It has managed to capture over 40% of the market share despite the stiff competition from rival companies. Additionally, FedEx Corporation has done quite well in its acquisition strategies, but much can still be done (DiTullio, 2010).

FedEx Corporation has in the past tried to make as many acquisitions as possible. This move has made the company achieve a considerable sustainable competitive advantage over its rival companies. However, this is not enough. It needs to explore further markets like China by setting up outlets or acquiring related companies. It is important to note that China is an increasingly growing market for shipping companies because it is gradually turning into an international hub for imports and exports (Hopfe, 1968). Additionally, the company should stretch its influence to the Far East, where the market is increasingly growing as well. This will significantly improve the company’s competitive advantage and give it an upper hand over its rival companies in these regions.

It is worth noting that FedEx Corporation is doing quite well in its respective markets with minimum marketing. The fact that the company exhibits increases revenues, assets and stockholders each year should not make it relent on its marketing strategies. However, FedEx Corporation should consider coming up with transferable marketing strategies with the aim of enhancing its brand recognition in the foreign markets. A good example of a transferable marketing strategy is celebrity endorsement. On most occasions, celebrities perform quite well in marketing products and services for various companies as a result of the following they have amongst the masses. For this reason, FedEx Corporation can endorse some worldwide celebrities in a bid to market its services on a global marketplace that would see it gain brand recognition in all corners of the planet.

Owing to the recent digitalization of the present systems, most entrepreneurs now prefer doing business online. FedEx Corporation has done quite a commendable job on its website (investors.fedex.com). Through this website, a client is able to make an order remotely. This has since played a significant role in easing communication between clients and the company. Additionally, the fact that the company’s website allows for online billing makes it easy for clients to pay their bills without having to go through the tiresome paper works associated with bank slips. However, FedEx Corporation should consider including live customer support on its website. This is because the website offers numerous online services, most of which can be confusing for an ordinary customer. For this reason, the live customer support will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the needs of customers are well taken care of (Lunenburg, & Ornstein, 2012; Scott, & United States, 1975; Schermerhorn, 2011).

When it comes to marketing, FedEx Corporation is doing considerably well. This is especially because it makes good return on investment and registers an increase in total revenue each year. Increased revenue in every business organization is a clear indication of increased customers of clients and this is usually championed by the application of competitive marketing strategies. However, in my opinion, FedEx Corporation is focusing on keeping its existing customers as opposed to seeking new customers. This is because its advertisement strategies are aimed at locations where it already has enough influence. I recommend that the company takes its marketing further to markets like Africa. Most African countries are developing rapidly and as a result, they need shipping services for their manufacturing industries. That notwithstanding, most African industries import raw material and this places them in a better position to require shipping services offered by FedEx Corporation as opposed to developed countries. Therefore, FedEx Corporation should consider marketing its services to these countries via their respective internet servers. The Clearing and Forwarding companies of these nations may also form good platforms for the marketing of FedEx Corporation services.

References

(2011). HBR’s 10 must reads on leadership. Boston, Mass, Harvard Business Review Press. HYPERLINK “http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=40537” http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=40537

Balmer, J. T., Stuart, H., & Greyser, S. A. (2009). Aligning Identity and Strategy: Corporate Branding At British Airways In The Late 20th Century.California Management Review, 51(3), 6-23. HYPERLINK “http://hbr.org/product/aligning-identity-and-strategy-corporate-branding-/an/CMR425-PDF-ENG” http://hbr.org/product/aligning-identity-and-strategy-corporate-branding-/an/CMR425-PDF-ENG

Bentzel, J. E. (2006). Asymmetric marketing: Tossing the ‘chasm’ in the age of the software superpowers. S.l: Joseph E. Bentzel. HYPERLINK “http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=H9pGUPWUmI8C&pg=PT76&lpg=PT76&dq=Asymmetric+marketing:+Tossing+the+%27chasm%27+in+the+age+of+the+software+superpowers&source=bl&ots=4CVCRZId8u&sig=O-sPaaDwtMvppJV9b1ptYg31gSU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aItbU97sG8vT7Aa23IDYCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Asymmetric%20marketing%3A%20Tossing%20the%20’chasm’%20in%20the%20age%20of%20the%20software%20superpowers&f=false” http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=H9pGUPWUmI8C&pg=PT76&lpg=PT76&dq=Asymmetric+marketing:+Tossing+the+%27chasm%27+in+the+age+of+the+software+superpowers&source=bl&ots=4CVCRZId8u&sig=O-sPaaDwtMvppJV9b1ptYg31gSU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aItbU97sG8vT7Aa23IDYCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Asymmetric%20marketing%3A%20Tossing%20the%20’chasm’%20in%20the%20age%20of%20the%20software%20superpowers&f=false

Berger, A. (2011). Case Study – FedEx Corporation: Strategic Management. Munich

Fear of Commitment after Divorce from Adlerian Perspective

Introduction

Under various counseling perspectives, divorce is handled in a similar way as grief and loss counseling is conducted. Adlerian perspective is not among the best backgrounds to address grief and loss, but with a special mention of the specific life challenges facing the client, useful counseling insights are established to back the main perspectives. According to Hartshorne (2003), the most established psychological perspectives to handle grief and loss include psychoanalytic perspective, attachment perspective as well as psychosocial perspective. Psychoanalytic theory particularly devotes a grief work model that assesses the intricacies of the process involved in the breaking of the bond between the parting parties and the social changes that occur. On the other hand, attachment perspective assesses the loss of a social attachment that naturally reestablishes itself defying the apparent disconnection. Alternatively, psychosocial transition also devotes a significant research to explore reconstruction of a challenged relationship occasioned by the ensuing loss. All of the three theories provide a cyclic healing process which must be handled in stages for successful recovery of the client.

With specific regard to the Adlerian perspective however, there are various issues that arise in the life of an affected client which the counselor must attempt to resolve and success thereon possibly resolves the gravity of loss (Watts, 2003). This discourse details on the application of the areas of focus under Adlerian perspective as documented in a session. The main areas of the clients’ life are used to divide the session into segments. According to Jacobs (1999), grief and mourning can also be examined under Adlerian perspective as a disorder that expresses a whole range of inner social challenges which can be handled through therapy to correct the wrong perceptions held by clients.

Adlerian Group Therapy

Focus Group: 6 male friends affected by divorce are participating in the continuing group therapy focusing on the Adlerian perspective. These individuals include B.A., C.F., D.R., J.T., K.U., and L.E., who have presenting challenges under various circumstances related to the divorce cases. The counselor is indicated under abbreviation CLR., and is in charge of the session.

CLR:Welcome gentlemen to our group therapy session today, this being our first meeting. Feel most welcome and free to be a part of our collective solution finding for the sake of our social health. As everyone is aware, this is a group counseling session that will be meeting once every week for 25 minutes to continue with our therapy. We will begin with a brief introduction for every one of us. (After B.A., C.F., D.R., J.T., K.U. and L.E. have made introductions, the counselor makes the house rules known to the group).

As general practice, counseling sessions have a few rules that must be followed to make the therapy operate smoothly and on schedule. We shall be looking at three rules today while we will continue with the others the next time we meet. The first of the rules is confidentiality rule which bars every one of us from sneaking anything out of this room. I am also barred from speaking anything out of this room as part of my professional duty. As a matter of commitment for the same, we are obliged to sign confidentiality commitment forms which will bind us all to this very important rule. The second rule involves punctuality to the sessions which must be strictly observed to make the necessary progress by the group. Our third rule of the day involves respect for each other during our sessions. We will accommodate every contribution forwarded by all of us, which will be conducted without discrimination. We shall go on to our session today.

Lifestyle

CLR: How has each of you experienced lifestyle changes since the divorce?

C.F: Thanks a lot for the chance. Losing your beloved one in a divorce is actually a loss when you cease seeing each other. You don’t see each other; you don’t share your lives again. You have to adapt to a new life without an important part of your social life. In general, my lifestyle changed to bear the new social grounds without my spouse, despite the troubled environment we had. She asked for the divorce and I honestly haven’t come to terms with the lonely feeling since we parted ways three months ago. My lifestyle has since changed greatly.

B.A: Thank you. I don’t feel like myself anymore because I felt awful too since the divorce proceedings were initiated by my ex-wife. I don’t feel like I can be a husband again. It’s painful and I really need help. I think these sessions are timely for my condition.

K.U: For my case it’s a bit different. I particularly find it difficult to handle the separation with my kids. We had been in very bad terms with my wife since we got married and I found comfort outside our marriage. I only need to be with my children, but it’s difficult.

D.R: I can’t stand the challenge of coming to terms with the infidelity that my ex-wife brought into our marriage.

L.E: My challenge with the divorce is that I realize that I was the cause of all the problems leading to our disagreements. Since we divorced, things have completely changed and I can’t do anything in peace due to the guilt.

J.T: For my wife to have been involved in secret business and investments was out of control for me. How I stayed with her in the marriage without noticing is laughable and I need to find someone to help me in my family’s investment. My lifestyle has changed since I have to be in charge more keenly over my investment.

CLR: Thank you for your genuine contributions. The therapy has just begun now that we have started to identify the lifestyle changes that the divorce has caused. It is very important that identification of our challenges in lifestyle can be spotted from the divorce as a social challenge (Harvey, 1998). Nearly all of you feel lonely as a result of the divorce and we shall begin from there, to assist you come to terms with the divorce and cope with the divorce facts. Some of you miss their spouses while all of you miss your children too. Understanding the lifestyle impact that the grieving could make on your social life will help you to progress. Our lifestyle could also be our limiting factors which prevent us to realize complete satisfaction in social scenes (Dowling, 2009).

Social Interest and the Life Tasks

CLR: We now would like to have contributions regarding how the divorce has changed your social interests or even impacted on your basic life tasks.

C.F: Socially, I feel like I am less acceptable among my peers for having parted ways with my wife. I think she does not have the same feeling with me but my social presence is affected. I don’t want to mingle a lot since people are watching me and have that bad tag on me.

B.A: I can’t think of approaching another lady for marriage and I don’t know if I will ever trust anyone else that much. I can’t even feel comfortable doing my normal work. It feels like I’m in isolation even at the work place.

K.U: I have no problem with my wife having found me inefficient in our marriage relationship. I felt like my social life would be affected only in a little way and I will soon find another wife. But the damage the divorce caused me with withdrawal of custody over my children, it is difficult. I find no logic going to work if I can’t be with my children and my work productivity has greatly reduced.

D.R: I have lost a lot of friends since I became withdrawn from public and social life. I can’t trust a lady anymore since my trust was trampled on by one of them. She slept with many men and I think I’m just lucky she did not infect me with some STIs. My productivity is also affected since I can’t unwind in a social activity.

L.E: I think I have lost so much trust from my friends who have even reduced their concern over my life. I have been in trouble at work recently and I think it is due to the impact of the divorce.

J.T: My social life has been affected and I can’t find enough time to manage all the work and enjoy a social life.

CLR: It is very important that every one of us gave something similar to the effect that social life and task orientation are greatly affected by a divorce, which is a related to grieving. Finding our path back to a healthy social life will tremendously find us back to productivity and overcome divorce challenges (Watts, 2003).

(A short break for making fun is allowed to keep the discussion lively).

Goal Directedness

CLR: Why do you think your feelings direct you to be gloomy only after the divorce?

C.F: I think grieving for the loss in divorce is a reaction to my loneliness.

B.A: for my case it is because I feel offended and defied by my wife; I am supposed to be obeyed by my wife.

K.U: I’m affected because I need my life back; my children

D.R: My grieving is as a result of someone breaking my dignity.

L.E: Mine is the guilt; it must get out me. I caused these problems that I am in.

J.T: My property and money must be safe. It is my responsibility to ensure that and my brain knows when to react.

CLR: You are all correct; our bodies react to forces of separation, hurt and assist in adapting to the difficult situation. Coming to terms with what these challenges are will help everyone to avoid negative impact and assist in a maximizing the positives.

By understanding the various aspects that Adlerian perspective makes from an analysis of a divorce case, we identify the above sub-sections of impact that can be applied to find a solution to the happenings. Since every one of us is a social being, social setting is perhaps the most important stage that we need to facilitate the various engagements we make with the environment and other people.

L.E: Does it mean that even when we are angry at ourselves for committing a costly mistake it can be solved?

CLR: Precisely. From the above analysis, we will try to fix our experiences into the Adlerian perspective which will facilitate the necessary reaction and avoid inappropriate grieving over the loss. The most important thing to understand is that each one of us has potential to look at things differently and make the best out of the challenging condition. Without taking charge of the occurrences in your life, things will always appear nasty (Dowling, 2009). . Having set the first stage for the therapy, we will be revisiting each of the classes of analysis through an open discussion that will help us find our own solutions. I will be looking forward to hear what every individual has resolved to do about each of these challenges then we compare with the Adlerian perspective. Before we are dismissed, we shall sign the confidentiality forms and remember the importance of what we are signing. Please feel free to write any disturbing query and we shall discuss it when we meet next. Bye every one.

References

Dowling, H. (2009) “Psychopathology: Adlerian Perspective,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.articlesbase.com/psychology-articles/psychopathology-adlerian-perspective-1227747.html” http://www.articlesbase.com/psychology-articles/psychopathology-adlerian-perspective-1227747.html

Hartshorne, T. S. (2003) “Grief and Mourning from an Adlerian Perspective,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.cmich.edu/chsbs/Documents/…/Grief%20and%20Mourning.pdf” www.cmich.edu/chsbs/Documents/…/Grief%20and%20Mourning.pdf

Harvey, J. H. (1998) Perspectives on loss: a sourcebook. Philadelphia, PA: Psychology Press

Jacobs, S. (1999) Traumatic grief: diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/ Mazel

Watts, R. E. (2003) Adlerian, cognitive and constructivist therapies: an integrative dialogue. New York, NY: Spinger Publishing Company Inc.