The Recent Global Food Crisis and Obesity Epidemic Essay -- Health, A

It is evident that populations around the world are starkly staring at a food crisis that has picked momentum especially since 2008. This recent global food crisis has placed staple grains, the main sustenance for populations around the world, out of reach of the hundreds of millions of people in need of them. This has seen its effects being felt in both developed and developing countries (Magdoff, 2006: 1-7). This study will focus its attention on the explanation about this recent food crisis, how it reflects previous agri-food system tendencies and its relationship to diabetes, another food system problem. The thesis of this study is that the explanations behind the recent food crisis revolve around commercial (corporate-dependent) model of the global food system which makes food items vulnerable to market dynamics and hence out of reach for many individuals. This is relevant to the issue of food crisis since it attaches an economics perspective to the crisis which is especially s ignificant given the recent global economic meltdown. Theoretical Perspective A closer and detailed look at the recent food crisis reveals a number of patterns and insights that can be supported by theoretical perspectives to show that it is a consequence of the established food policy. First of all, the food crisis does not necessarily stem from low production since the advent of chemical and biological technology in food production makes the processes more optimized. Instead, it is due to shifting economic and political power throughout the stages of food production and distribution. Emphasis is being placed on food production and distribution in terms of where maximum profitability will be achieved. This can be seen in situations where bumper harv... ...cal perspectives given to the effect that a corporate-dependent system in the agri-food sector precipitated the global food crisis which is the thesis of this study. This demonstrated through empirical evidence indicating that production of grain is actually sufficient, but then gets diverted to other uses such as biofuel production and feeding animals to meet the rising consumption of meat. This places the blame squarely on the retailers who happen to be strong corporate entities resulting from capitalistic inclination. A strange phenomenon is observed where southern states in the USA are experiencing higher rates of obesity, which is still linked to corporatization of the food system. The limitations of this research center on the fact that it did not seek information from the corporate world which could perhaps give perspectives from the other side of the coin.

Pricing Decision Essay

Companies in their endeavor to succeed in the highly competitive and dynamic market are now considering a clear focus on their marketing strategies. This is in order that they may remain relevant in the fast changing business environment, market conditions and consumer preferences. It is important that a company considers the effects of the changes in the business environment including price variations initiated by its competitors This is best done by first analyzing the prices offered by the competitors visa vie the company’s cost structure and the competitor’s chances to change in response to the company’s new price offers (Kotler 2003. p 66). Pricing Strategies The company needs to figure out the best strategy to implement in order to achieve the optimum prices for its products. To initiate cost-cutting with a view to improve on the profitability of the company the company must have an understanding of the type of cost that it needs to manage. This will be to a large extent influenced by its style of management, sources of professional advice, the broader vision of the company’s goals, communication strategy, and company’s capitalization in relation to debt-equity ratio and the cost of borrowing (Sherman 2007. p 3-4). The company also needs to understand the several types of costs that it incurs. The various types of costs are research and development costs, the overheads and administrative costs, human capital costs including health care costs, salaries and employee benefits, infrastructure and system costs, advertising and promotional costs, fixed and variable costs, and debt-servicing costs. The bottom line is to thoroughly examine each of these cost categories and weigh their importance to the company’s business operations, consider more efficient available alternatives, and the possible implications of the cost reduction strategy (Sherman 2007. p5 &9). A company such as Wal-Mart that has for years been ahead of its competitors by offering the lowest prices for its goods. Wal-Mart is able to manage favorable price cuts by implementing price cut strategies such as endeavoring to reduce its costs by pursuing a tax reduction strategy. This has been through its investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in order to exploit tax loopholes and avoid some of the taxes levied in particular states (Moore 2007. p. 2). Having accomplished the above cost reduction strategy, the company may the come up with appropriate pricing for its products. This is done by first understanding pricing methods. There are six pricing methods that would lead to an informed decision in fixing prices. These are markup pricing method, the target return pricing method, perceived value method of pricing, value based pricing, the going-rate method of pricing and the sealed-bid method of pricing (Kotler 2003. p 66). Implications of Price Cuts and Conclusion The price of the product or service is a major factor that influences customer’s purchase decision is the marketing mix. A combination of the cost reduction strategy and an appropriate pricing strategy is more likely to benefit the company and enable it attain a competitive advantage over its competitors. By adopting market responsive cost cutting strategies in the communication industry, companies in turn helped create a better way of life whereby customers are now able to communicate more often and at lower prices Salazar 2007. p. 1). This translates to increased profits to the service providers as they are able to sell more units than before. References Kotler, P. (2003). Marketing Management. 11th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Moore, M. (2007). Taxing Strategies: Always Cutting Prices, Wal-Mart Attempts to Rollback Taxes. Retrieved March 8, 2009 from http://walmartwatch. com/img/blog/NIMSP_tax_strategies. pdf Salazar, L. C. Cost Cutting Strategies at the Bottom of the Pyramid. Retrieved March 8, 2009 from http://www. lirneasia. net/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/2-lcs-shoestrings-sing-28feb07. pps Sherman, A. J. (2007). Strategies for Cutting Costs and Improving Profitability. Retrieved March 8, 2009 from http://www. sbecouncil. org/uploads/PPT%20Cost%20Cutting%20for%20Growth%20and%20Profitability. ppt

Free Essays on High Performance Work Systems

High Performance Work Systems In recent years, Boeing has adopted one or more innovative work practices. These include quality circles, flexible job classifications, cross-functional training, and various forms of employee involvement. However, none have had the success that high-performance work system has achieved. The key characteristic of a high performance work system is extensive worker participation in all aspects of the company, including understanding core business strategic objectives. This, as a by-product, has pushed Boeing employees to understand all charts and graphs that concern their work area. As a frontline worker can attest nine panels charts have gained a new appreciation. Nine panel charts include perato charts, histograms that meticulously records major influences of each team. In the past Boeing has already practiced some form of worker participation, from suggestion boxes, surveys and quality circles. Now High Performance Work Teams have a deep admiration for the information that Nine Panels provide them. Without this team orientated focus countless challenges would never had been resolved much less noticed by the people who directly influence each chart. Studies indicate that most forms of worker involvement are an improvement over the traditional mass producti! on approach, in which workers perform manual tasks that require little thought and provide them with few opportunities to improve the process. Boeing has found that employee participation, when sustained over time and integrated with other organizational policies and practices, results in positive economic gains. Boeing has concluded that the extensive participation of workers led to significant improvements in return on investment, return on assets, and productivity. Another plus that Boeing has revealed shows that deep worker involvement is also essential to corporate flexibility and quick customer response, in today's volatile product markets... Free Essays on High Performance Work Systems Free Essays on High Performance Work Systems High Performance Work Systems In recent years, Boeing has adopted one or more innovative work practices. These include quality circles, flexible job classifications, cross-functional training, and various forms of employee involvement. However, none have had the success that high-performance work system has achieved. The key characteristic of a high performance work system is extensive worker participation in all aspects of the company, including understanding core business strategic objectives. This, as a by-product, has pushed Boeing employees to understand all charts and graphs that concern their work area. As a frontline worker can attest nine panels charts have gained a new appreciation. Nine panel charts include perato charts, histograms that meticulously records major influences of each team. In the past Boeing has already practiced some form of worker participation, from suggestion boxes, surveys and quality circles. Now High Performance Work Teams have a deep admiration for the information that Nine Panels provide them. Without this team orientated focus countless challenges would never had been resolved much less noticed by the people who directly influence each chart. Studies indicate that most forms of worker involvement are an improvement over the traditional mass producti! on approach, in which workers perform manual tasks that require little thought and provide them with few opportunities to improve the process. Boeing has found that employee participation, when sustained over time and integrated with other organizational policies and practices, results in positive economic gains. Boeing has concluded that the extensive participation of workers led to significant improvements in return on investment, return on assets, and productivity. Another plus that Boeing has revealed shows that deep worker involvement is also essential to corporate flexibility and quick customer response, in today's volatile product markets...