Marketing in the Wine Industry Essay Example for Free

Marketing in the Wine Industry Essay There’s more in a glass of wine than meets the eye, or the palate. Wine isn’t just for the rich and affluent anymore. Everyone can enjoy wine, whether it’s a five dollar bottle or a five hundred dollar bottle. Winemakers and wine distribution companies have come up with new and exciting way to market their wines to people of every tax bracket and all walks of life. (Manda) Marketing in the wine industry is changing. Traditionally, consumers looked to opinion leaders like Robert Parker and the Wine Spectator to find the best wines on the market. While those methods are still effective, winemakers and wine enthusiasts have discovered a new way to spread the word about particular wines. Social media has become the new, hot trend in marketing in just about every industry out there right now. And the wine industry is no exception. Corkd. com is a website for wine drinkers and enthusiasts where users can create their own wine journal, wine cellar, shopping list, and connect with online drinking buddies. This website is one way the wine industry as stepped up to the plate and utilized the opportunities of the internet in marketing. â€Å"Cork’d is your pulse on the wine world and an online playground for all things wine. By collaborating with some of the smartest wine drinkers and industry figures, Cork’d is providing you with the most comprehensive, fun and exciting wine content available. Whether you’re a winery looking for exposure or an events company looking to promote or host a tasting, Cork’d wants to talk to you. Our mission is to breakdown the stereotypes, myths and pretenses surrounding wine culture to help you discover and drink better wines. † (corkd. com) Another factor changing the wine industries marketing strategies is where consumers are buying wine. Chain stores and supermarkets have taken over wine distribution from wholesalers. Costco has become one of the largest wine retailers in the United States. According to Michael Roberto, â€Å"Theres no question that a seismic shift is occurring at the retail and wholesale level. The number of alcoholic beverage wholesalers in the U. S. has decreased by 75 percent since the 1960s. At the retail level, wine sales are increasingly shifting to supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and the like. For instance, Robert Mondavi now sells 10 percent of its wine in unit terms through Costco. These changes in the retail and distribution channels present substantial challenges for wineries, of course, because these powerful players such as Costco have much more clout and bargaining power than small liquor stores. Smaller vineyards often can find it more difficult to secure shelf space, and all wineries find themselves facing pricing pressure from the retail and distribution channels. † Even though many wineries do not like the changes and small retail shops are suffering because of this shift, many consumers are actually profiting from these changes. Winemakers have found another fun way to market their wines simply with their labels. The new â€Å"trend† in the wine business is a funky label. Traditionally, wine labels were simple and to the point. The label had the name of the vineyard, the year, and basic information about the wine in a simple fashion. Recently, winemakers have started to get creative with the names of their wines and the design of their bottles and labels. Now, when you walk down an aisle in a store filled with different wines there are many different bottles that stick out because of loud colors, wild pictures, or crazy names on the label. This is a great form of marketing to use for wine because the bottle itself is a great marketing tool. Many consumers will buy a bottle of wine just because they like how the bottle looks or maybe they are giving it as a gift and the title is something catchy that conveys some type of message that relates to the person who is receiving the wine. For example, there is a wine called â€Å"Bitch† wine. The wine itself is not bad, but its nothing to rave about. One of the main reasons that particular wine is so popular is because of the name. The label is black with pink script font with â€Å"Bitch† printed on the front, and on the back it just repeats the name of the wine over and over again. This wine is marketed to women and is a perfect gift to give a friend as a joke they can enjoy. Women have become a hot target market for wine makers. According to the 2006 Adams Wine Handbook, Men prefer beer; women prefer wine, Many women are emerging as winemakers and marketers are realizing the potential for profit in female consumers. â€Å"Women make up 52 percent of the adult population and purchase 57 percent of the wine consumed in the United States. 1 They represent a huge market with great purchasing power that until recently has been overlooked. According to experts, women are less influenced by wine ratings, as they tend to judge the entire product. Although the wine quality is important to women, so are the label design, the bottle shape and the philosophy of the winery. † (Wine Institute) While there are many new ways to market wine, the traditional methods are still widely used. Promotion in the wine industry is all about putting the name of the winery on everything from wine keys to wine bags to key chains to hats. Wine distribution companies have always been know to give out free merchandise with the name of the wines they sell everywhere. This is a great way to advertise. Consumers love to receive free things and that opens up a great opportunity for wineries to advertise with little cost. California former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed September as â€Å"Wine Celebration Month†, also known as California Wine Month. This is another great way for wineries to get their name and wines out in the public. DiscoverCalifornaiWine. com states, â€Å"September is California Wine Month, and that makes it a fine time to enjoy a glass of California wine and a visit to wine country. September is harvest time in California and California Wine Month celebrates the state’s ideal climate for wine, beautiful wine country landscape, our talented and ingenious winemaking families, our celebrated lifestyle and cuisine; and our commitment to sustainability and the environment. † Another trend in the world of wine is sustainability and organics. Many vineyards around have become 100 percent sustainable and the numbers are growing. The new world culture is all about reducing our carbon and ecological footprint. So many wineries have actually capitalized on this idea. Wineries have begun to include their efforts at social responsibility in their advertising. Which caters to a growing market of consumers, as many people nowadays will only buy organic. Tolosa is a winery that has recently dedicated itself to sustainability and creating wine without harming the environment. One if their brochures stated that, â€Å"In August 2009 Tolosa converted to solar electrical generation. This system will provide the winery’s electrical energy for the next 25 years. CO2 emissions reduced by over 500 tons. This is equivalent to planting nearly 100 acres of trees. † Tolosa is one of the many wineries’ that has begun to capitalize on sustainability. The times have changed and so have marketing strategies of the wine industry. The wine industry is booming more than ever. Success in the wine industry is possible whether a company uses new or old marketing techniques. In this new age, the marketing department should focus on women and social media. As Tinckenell and Tincknell, a wine consulting and marketing firm, have written on the front page of their website MarketingWine. com, â€Å"If it doesnt come from the heart, the message will be hollow. If you dont imagine it first, someone else will. If it isnt inspired and creative, it wont get noticed. Each link in the marketing process the heart, the mind, and creativity communicates your story to the world. † Works Cited About Cork’d  « Corkd Content. Corkd Content. Web. 20 June 2011. http://content. corkd. com/about/. Discover California Wines : California Wine Month. Discover California Wines : Welcome to Discover California Wines. Web. 20 June 2011. http://www. discovercaliforniawine. com/learn/california-wine-month. The Changing Structure of the Global Wine Industry (2004). Michael Roberto. Salls, Manda. Marketing Wine to the World — HBS Working Knowledge. HBS Working Knowledge Faculty Research at Harvard Business School. Web. 20 June 2011. http://hbswk. hbs. edu/item/3910. html.

The Mission And Vision Of British Airways Business Essay

The Mission And Vision Of British Airways Business Essay British Airways is one of the oldest and the most reputed airlines functioning in the world. It was started on 1st September in the year 1974. It is the official airline of the United Kingdom. It is owned by the government of the United Kingdom but it is run by private firms. It is also known as BA. It was formed by the merger of four airlines they are The British Overseas Airlines Corporation (BOAC), The British European airways (BEA), Cambrian Airways and finally the Northeast Airlines this took place on 31st march 1974. Thus BA was formed. It was one of the few prestigious airline to fly the Concorde the supersonic passenger plane. It has a large fleet of 239 aircrafts. It flies to 300 destinations. It employees 42,755 employ . It is a public limited company also listed on the London stock exchange. The main headquarters of BA are Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport both are situated in London. It is also a star alliance member. The total revenue earned by BA in the year 2010 was  £7,994 million. Mission And Vision:- Visi Fig1.1 Mission, Vision, goals, objective cycle It is defined as A mission describes the organization basic function in society , in terms of the product and services for its customer -Mintzberg The above definition explains how important a mission is for a organization as it helps in building its own image in front of the customer that it wishes to give services to. It maybe a just a sentence but it creates a image in the mind of the reader what the organization is made up of. It also helps to give the brand a competitive edge as the mission statement will help in showing the uniqueness of the brand. The mission statement of British Airways is as follows One Destination seeks to ensure our customers fly confident that, together, we are acting responsibly to take care of the world we live in. BA mission statement on reading creates a mindset that they always be safe on ground or in air and they want the customer to feel safe and confident when they fly British airways. They have also maintained their mission statement as they have least accident history and they always have new fleets and always updated with latest technology. Values:- Organizational values define the acceptable standards which govern the behaviour of individuals within the organization. Without such values, individuals will pursue behaviours that are in line with their own individual value systems, which may lead to behaviours that the organization doesnt wish to encourage. Thus values are very important for the organisation for achieving the vision that it aims for(Value of Organizational value)(http://www.teal.org.uk/mat/page6.htm)(accsed on 22ndApril 2011) The values of BA are as follows:- OBJECTIVE:- Objectives are normally quantified statements of what the organisation actually intends to achieve over a period of time. According to Mintzberg (1997), Business Enviourment; Viva books. He says that objective help the organisation to conduct activities that will help in acquiring the mission of the organisation. He also says while forming a the objective the organisation must use the SMART technique. The objective should contain these points. Fig 1.2 SMART Objective The objective of BA is as follows:- Fig 1.3 Objective of BA 1.b) Evaluate the extent to which an organization achieves the objectives of three stakeholders. The individual or groups who have interest in how a organisation performs because they have some stake in it and thus it affects them in someway. In the modern world they are mainly of two types which include primary and secondary stakeholders (Stokes D., (2002) Small Business Management (4th edition) Thomson Publications: UK.) The primary and secondary stakeholder of BA have a effect on the airline as they are somehow related to the organization. Thus in the table below the author has shown how both of these can affect the airline Stakeholders General Interest Influence Shareholders .A Steady flow of revenue .Should be well informed about the risk and plans .Continuation of Business -Exercising ones right to vote -Checking the annual book as well as the statements. -To defend against wrong issues Managers .Pay and Status .Job Security .Job Satisfaction -Growth of the organisation -Participating to improve the organisation with recommendations Employees .Job Security .Pay and Condition .Job Satisfaction -The union may go on strike -Exposure Customers .Receiving goods and services of a reasonable quality .Receive optimum level of services .Great value for money paid -Choosing other airline over BA -Bad impression about the airline -Not using it services Suppliers .Being paid promptly for the goods and services delivered .Receiving regular repayment of the capital provided -Not delivery the Services on time. -Serving competitors Government and General Public .The organisation is meeting the relevant legal requirements .Social welfare of public is protected .Helping the nation and public to progress -Licenses, law and permits -Strict laws against them -Social activist -Boycott or appreciate the company. Fig 1.4 Shareholders their interest and influence All the organisation in the world to run smoothly and efficiently need to satisfy its stakeholders as they have a stake in the organisation which can affect the organisation in both good and bad ways as shown in the table above. Thus British airways is no exception even they have tried to meet the satisfaction of the stakeholders so as to progress more and achieve their targets. Below are given the instances where British airways have satisfied its stakeholders Employees they are the most important part of the organisation for the smooth and progressive functioning of the organisation. As BA is a large organisation hence it employs a large no of employees whos need and wants he need to caters. Thus BA has done many changes like improving the workplace where they function reasonable working hours were allotted to them then they have also introduced various crew programme which help them improve the safety of themselves as well as the customer. BA has also started recruiting people from all over the globe so as to maintain a equality among the employees. Their wages are also improved compared to what they were paid earlier some changes were done by BA for some the union had fought to get it done Society are a major concern for organisation like BA because if society is not benefited from them they wont allow smooth functioning of the airline for the same reason BA has contributed a lot towards society by giving them employment in the firm also setting up various NGOs to help the underprivileged society also contributing some amount towards charity. They have even started cutting down their co2 gases by using much more fuel efficient engines as well as machines used at the airport thus contributing o save the enviourment. Customers are the important part for the organisation to progress because e if customers arent there then who will the airline serve and earn money from. As BA is in the service industry they need to take good care of their customers so as to improve their image as well as their market standings. For the same they have improved their economy class cabin by improving the quality of service provided also they have introduced the programme known as CUSTOMER KING which is for the first and business class travellers. They have also increased their security standard so to increase the safety of their passengers. Q.1c) Explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them? Social Responsibility of an organisation may be defined as the obligations that the organisation has towards the people and the enviourment in which the business functions. In other words the corporate social responsibility is a process where the organisation can improve its functioning in outdoor as well as indoor processes so as to increase the vision, improvement and add competitive advantage to the company. BA has to maintain the business ethical criterion responsibly they also known the importance of their stakeholders and hence they follow the regulation so as to protect the social, environmental, financial, and economical of the stakeholders. In order to complete these aspects BA follows all the legislation laws and rules laid down for safety, employment and other such stakeholder related aspects. By following these laws and jurisdiction BA shows loyalty towards the corporate social responsibility as a business should show. Below are given few social responsibility that British airways follows and tries to do the needful for it (Corporate responsibilities (2007) one destination [online] (updated on 2010) Available at: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/csr-corporate-responsibility/public/en_gb?link=main_nav [Accessed 15th may 2011]. Environmental Protection Act:- BA has started to contribute a lot towards helping in saving the enviourment the reason being that there have been more strict rules by the government in recent years so to implement those and also create a healthy enviourment they have taken various steps in help protecting the enviourment The steps taken are as follows:- Fig 1.5 Enviourment Protection Act Safety and Security Act:- British airways are known for their stringent security measure that they follow. The safety of the passenger and crew are their highest priority. BA also follows the most advanced and sophisticated machinery in their services so as to assure the passenger that they are in safe hands. They also have a outstanding record in safety and security flied. Fig 1.5 Safety and Security Measures Employees Act:- The staff of a company are those people who work for a particular organisation or a industry, but apart from that they are a part of a large society where the organisation functions. The first labour law in Britain was made in 1974 for the people or employees of and organisation. The law consisted of various aspect that would help the employee to feel secured and satisfied in the workplace. Some of the laws were Self Organisation, Collective Bargains, To work what is suitable to employee, and job security. Thus BA follows these rules laid down by the government and also supports it. So as to keep the employees happy and smooth running of the organisation. 2.)Using PESTLE and any management tool you are familiar with evaluate the impact of macroeconomic policy measures and the influence of the global economy on British Airways and its stakeholders? PESTLE Policy Implications On BA Political Heavy Regulation (AEA,2009) Increased Security due to past terrorist attacks(DFT,2009) .Compliance is necessary if BA wants to continue operations .Enough security measure should be undertaken to maintain the competitive advantage and beliefs in consumers Economic -Economic Crisis the growth projected at only 2%in 2009(IMF,2008) -Pounds weakens against Euro Fluctuations of oil prices .Possible decline in the business travel as companies are using alternate methods like telephone conferencing. .BA will face poor exchange rate as well as due to the fluctuation it will affect their cost base as the rate they might get for the currency might get low Social The population in UK is ageing given by national statistics. Due to recession there is increased unemployment .This a great opportunity for BA as older generations have more money and time to spend. Technological New technologies regarding the fleet and improvement and addition to the fleet The number of people using e-check in has increased a lot .As there are new aircrafts coming in the market BA should keep its fleet updated with these machines .BA should keep itself updated so as to remain in the competition Environmental/ Ethical Expansion of its main terminal is difficult because it comes under Londons green belt area Consumer are aware of what are the effects of air travel as they are increasingly becoming more green. BA has to convert limited space into full utilisation of the capacity that it has BA has to adopt to all its environmental strategies to keep the consumer with them Legal Collusion and Fixed Pricing Open skies Agreement(AEA,2009) Restriction on having mergers will affect their alliance with American airlines .BA has a great opportunity of transferring aircrafts between him and America Fig 2 Pestle on BA (www.scibd.com) The other macroeconomic policy that can effect BA are as follows:- -Monetary Policy in the UK is concerned with the decision of rate of interest and the supply of money in the economy. The one who controls the interest rate in the UK are the Bank of England Monetary Policy committee. The current rate decided by the bank of England is around 2.0% . If they decide to increase the rate then it wont be feasible for BA to borrow loans from them as they will have to pay very high interest rate thus they wont benefit from it. But if they lower the rates then BA can borrow from the bank and achieve their objective much quickly. -Exchange Rate Policy is handled by the government. The exchange rate is controlled by how much amount of gold and foreign exchange currency do they have in reserve in the central bank. The rate is even altered when the interest rates go higher or lower. If the exchange rate is high then BA will benefit as the goods it will buy will be cheaper as the currency they using will be higher and thus they can make profits. But if it goes down then BA will face losses as the things that were cheap will became expensive and they will have to increase the air fares which will see a decline in their sales. These are some policy that the author think can BA . All the organisations in the world are affected by the social economic and enviourment factors globally. As BA is a large organisation operating in more than 300 countries hence it has to fulfil and satisfy all its stakeholder. Britains economy policy affects a lot of organisation below is given their policies that influence them Government Organisations Overall Economic Policy -Market Demand -Cost of Finance -Taxation Industry Policy -Protection vs Free trade grants, -Incentives, Sponsorship Regulation eg:- Investor protection, company law, entry barrier, capacity Social Policy -Work Place regulation, -Employment Law -Labour Supply -Skills, Education Foreign Policy -Trade promotion -Export Credits EU and WTO obligations -Export promotion to allies Environmental and infrastructure Policy -Distribution Fig 2.2 Economic Policies of UK Social Welfare policy which BA follows are it has introduced work place regulation which enables its employees to work freely in the workplace as they have been given high level of training which helps them to do their work with much ease and perfection as well. The safety standard used by BA is also very high and the crew are also given sufficient amount of rest and training to function effectively. BA also has normal working standard and all the aspect that are included in the employment law. The employees are also given a lot benefits which include perks, pension, maternity allowance, social fund as well as other benefits which help make their private life better as well. These are some of the policy that BA follows towards its employees 3.) Explain whether the problems facing the British airways can be found in a planned economic system and discuss whether the economic system in which the BA operates allocates resources better. Different nations of the world use different approaches or types of economic system. The core of the economic problem is infinite desires versus limited assets. The study of economics is basically how nations allocate their resources in the best way so as to maximize the productility and services to fulfil the satisfaction of wants. In modern economies there are various ways of dealing with scarcity. The various kinds of economy are as follows:- Fig3.1The different types of economic systems (BPP, Learning media, (2007) Business essentials: Business environment (3rd edition) viva books Pvt ltd: London) The economy followed by Britain is a mixed economy because there is a balance between the market forces and the state interventions. The advantages of mixed economies are any one can set up a business and choose what to produce and even set their own cost. Even though they pay taxes they reap benefits through social programmes. The disadvantages of mixed economy are many business find it difficult to find a market for their products also they cant control the taxes they pay, merchants always complain that they are very high.(http://www.blurtit.com/q917361.html) accessed on 14th may 2011) In mixed economy the decisions of resources provision would somewhat depend upon the forces of supply and demand curve and it might also depends on the aims and the objectives of the firm. BA after privatization faced a lot of changes as after the merger BA had changed some of its rule and accepted a few of the other airlines rule. It even started to fly to more international destination once the demand for that increased. Because of this reason their whole allocation shifted from one firm to anther and from domestic to international. Because BA is in a mixed economy there is always a chance of growth as the private firms will help them, Also BA has to complete all the requirements that are jotted down by the stakeholders or even the government. But as of now BA is fulfilling all the criteria that are laid down by the government as well as also helping the airline to grow as much as it can. Thus Mixed economy helps BA to allocate its resources better than any other economy would have. 4.) State the market in which the British Airways operate and discuss whether it is easy to merge in that type of market (regulatory environment implication etc)? The level and amount of competition faced by the firms varies a great deal. There are many types of market and no market is similar to each other in some single firms dominate in other there might be a lot of competition for the same product or service. The market structures that the firms operate are different from each other. Figure 4.1 The Different market structures. Perfect competition:- When there are many people in the market, and other condition are such , that no one can influence the price, all other things being equal. This occurs when there are lots of sellers and lots of buyers and nobody can have any effect on the total quantity for sale or the total amount that the buyers want. There is a freedom in the entry and exit of the industry. Monopoly:- When there is only one supplier for a product or service in a market we call that as monopoly market. The business owns a key source for which substitute is very hard to find. The pricing of the product is decided by the firm itself. Duopoly:- It is a market were two sellers compete with each other for a homogenous good . The output of the firm is believed to be fixed. The example can be If BA lowers its transatlantic fares then how will virgin react to it? It is a case between competition ad monopoly. Oligopoly:- When there are a few large suppliers, whose business decisions affect each other they are said to be in oligopoly market. The example that author has chosen is from the airline industry as he can link it to BA. Suppose if BA was to lower their airfare for a particular sector on which even virgin flies then to be in the competitive race even virgin will have to lower its prices. Thus in oligopoly market if one makes a decision then it has to effect the other. New firms cant enter this market as it requires huge amount of investment. This lowering of prices of both the companies is known as price wars. Competition Commission;- The competition commission is an self-governing public body established by competition Act 1998. It replaced the monopolies and Mergers Commission with a superior power to take authoritarian actions or measures in the closure of the company. BPP, Learning media, (2007) Business essentials: Business environment (3rd edition) viva books Pvt ltd: London). This body mainly makes sure that no organisation should form merger or cartels with each other to convert the market from oligopoly to monopoly market. 5.)Explain whether the British airways have benefited from international business/trade and the European Union. What will be the business implication to the BA, if the UK, joins the European Monetary Union (EMU). International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. An import is the UK purchase of a good or service made overseas. An export is the sale of a UK made good or service overseas. BA is a international airline which operates in more than 300 destination. It operates in continents Asia, Europe, America etc. As BA being a British company it has chosen Europe as its global market. One of the reason being that it is the member of the European union. BA has benefited from international trade big time for many of the events like given below:- -There is free trade of aircraft between BA and American airlines hence they can upgrade their fleet without paying the duties -The land cost in Britain is very high compared to rest of Europe hence they use to set up big factories which they need at places where the land is cheap. -The labour in many parts of Europe is also very cheap compared to Britain. -The currency they use is accepted all over Europe and hence they dont even lose any money on exchange rate. -The raw material which is needed by BA is obtained at much cheaper rate from European countries These are some of the benefits that BA has by doing intenational trade with the European union members. Fig5.1 Trading benefits with Europe

History of Hauora Maori Trends and Paradigms

History of Hauora Maori Trends and Paradigms Student Name: YI LI Student ID: 12010316 Assessment Task 1 – Plan and Research of Hauora Maà ¶ri Trends and Paradigms from 1919 to the present day a) Introduction The research is investigated the trend of Maà ¶ri health which included the paradigms of cancer, obesity and diabetes in from 1919 to the present day. Maà ¶ri had the higher risk of suffering from these health diseases than non-Maà ¶ri population in Te Tai Tkerau (Northland). There is variety factors would affect these health issues, including cultural and historical socio-economic status, geographical place of residence, ethnic identity. According to Maà ¶ri concept, Hauora is a Maà ¶ri philosophy of health and well-bing unique to New Zealand, which include four accept: Physical Wellbeing, Mental and Emotional wellbeing, Social Wellbeing and Spiritual wellbeing. The purpose of the research was to identify the traditional approaches to Hauora, the issues of access to primary and secondary health service. To analysis the health service system in recent years of Te Tai Tkerrau area. b) Methodology Results of interview with local iwi, hapu and whanau The interview was holding on 1st October 2013 which included 10 Maà ¶ri who is suffering breast cancer, diabetes and obesity. Before the interview, the researcher was calling to explain the research and the purpose of the interview, communicating the plan and related details for the interview and other whanau members. A powhire was present. Then whaikorero was followed the karanga. A waiata was sung after each whaikorero by the group of the orator represents. Koha were exchanged between researcher and leader. Then was hongi and shared hakari. Notes were taken during the interview. Ethical and cultural considerations within a Hauora context Researcher understands the importance determining and meeting cultural requirements, relevant legislation, and ethical practice. Request the permission of the leader and future support. An appointment was made before the interview. Mihi and pepeha were performed. Private information of the participants was kept confidentiality, their name, pictures, and interview notes and so on. Available recourses Had interview with Whanau leader and members Marae visit Social Work Maà ¶ri tutor guidance Access to Northland District Health Board website Data collection Online research Online research is a major variety of literature for the study of research methods. The researcher research the main cause of cancer, diabetes, and obesity. As well as analysis the manifestations of three diseases. Statistical analysis Statistical analysis is for data collection, collation summary. To identify the Hauora Maà ¶ri trends of the three different diseases. The data for this is from the New Zealand Health Survey, conducted for the Ministry of Health. The paradigm is draw up to show compare the data between Maà ¶ri, Pacific and Non-Maà ¶ri and Non-Pacific who were living Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), during the 1980 to present day. Document analysis Document analysis mainly refers to the collection, identification, organize the literature, and through literature research, scientific understanding of the facts forming method. Therefore, the student researched the literature to find information about traditional approaches to hauora and issues of access to primary and secondary health services. Interview with the Whanau leader The five questions were asked which related to their recent health service provider as below: Are you satisfied with the current health services? Do you have family doctor? Have you seen your provider within the past 12 months? Do you usually going to a Maà ¶ri primary health provider first when unwell or injured? What different of health service between now and before? Tikanga Students used critical skills they had learned from discourse analysis to engage with participants’ talk. Acknowledging Tikanga helped the researcher to know the appropriate tikanga for a situation in order to make participant feel comfortable during the Hui. In addition, questions were designed and translated from English language to te reo MÄ ori me ngÄ  tikanga. c) Methodology According with Research Ethics and Tikanga Maà ¶ri Compete a literature review Literature review was conducted by researching for Hauora MÄ ori trends in Northland region. The information included diabetes, obesity and cancer. Sourcing of information Hapu leaders, whanau members, the internet, Tutors, lectures, document Procedures for recording and analyzing information Recording and analyzing were performed by notes, and computer. Maintained the quality of information with regards to recording of Ethnicity Recorded the consultation and discussion in where they took place. Presenting findings Findings were reported with evidences. Power point is needed Research findings are presented in papar. Assessment Task 2 – Analyze Research Regarding Hauora Maà ¶ri Trends and Paradigms from 1919 to the Present Day Cancer The cells of Cancer (Cancer Rates-Wairarapa DHB, 2010) Main cause of Cancer: The body in environmental pollution, chemical pollution Cancer is the bodys normal cells in a multi-cause, multi-stage and multiple mutations caused by a class of diseases. Cancer is not the definitive genetic disease, but there is growing evidence that cancer does have a genetic predisposition, have some genetic relationship Manifestations of Cancer are: Tumor: malignant proliferation of cancer cells are formed in the surface by hand or deep touch. Pain: pain often prompts cancer has entered the middle and late. Ulcers: Some cancer cancerous tissue growth surface quickly, nutrient supply, the resulting tissue necrosis. Bleeding: cancer vascular invasion or rupture of small blood vessels in cancer tissue generated. Obstruction: rapid growth of cancerous tissue caused by obstruction. Diabetes Diabetes is a group is characterized by high blood sugar metabolic diseases. Hyperglycemia is due to the biological effects of insulin secretion or impaired, or both causes. Longstanding diabetes high blood sugar , leading to a variety of organizations , especially the eyes , kidneys , heart, blood vessels, nerves , chronic damage , dysfunction . Main cause of Diabetes: Genetic factors Type 1 or type 2 diabetes are obvious genetic heterogeneity. The presence of diabetes onset familial tendency, 1/4 to 1/2 patients had family history of diabetes. Environmental factors Eating too much, reduced physical activity due to type 2 diabetes, obesity is the most important environmental factors that have type 2 diabetes, genetic predisposition morbidity. Type 1 diabetes patients immune system abnormalities, in some viruses such as Coxsackie virus, rubella virus, parotid gland virus infection causes an autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin ÃŽ ² cells. Manifestations of Diabetes: polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight loss Fatigue, weakness, obesity. More common in type 2 diabetes. Obesity (Photograph: Steven Puetzer/Getty Images, 2009) Main cause of Obesity: Obesity is body fat, particularly triglycerides (triglycerides) as a result of excessive accumulation of a state. Usually because food intake too much or cause a change in metabolism excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting in excessive growth of body weight and cause human path physiological changes. According to the different causes of obesity, obesity and obesity can be divided into two major categories of secondary obesity. No clear cause obesity may be related to genetics, diet and exercise habits and other factors. Manifestations of Obesity: Mental performance: Obesity can lead to anxiety, depression, guilt, and so bad attitude, and even hostility to others. Physical performance: such difficulty moving, panting, muscle fatigue, joint pain and swelling and other symptoms. The performance complication: Different complications have their corresponding manifestations. Such as headache, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss and other symptoms. Cancer For total population and Maà ¶ri, by cancerous person 1980-1999 December years in Northland For Maà ¶ri, pacific and Non-M Non-p, Age-sex standardized rates per 100,000, ages 25+ By cancer mortality, 1980-1999 December years in Northland and other island The above tables were draw up to show the trend of cancer and cancer mortality during the period in Northland. We can see from the first figure, cancer rates for Maà ¶ri are 16 per cent higher than non-Maà ¶ri at the beginning, and continue increase steadily. However both Maà ¶ri and non-Maà ¶ri cancer rates declined between1996 to 99. During the whole period, Maà ¶ri cancer rates always higher than non-Maà ¶ri group. In the second figure, the rate of cancer mortality of Maà ¶ri group is always higher than Pacific and non-M, non-P people, and increase gradually. Cancers were causing 29 per cent of deaths in New Zealand. And the Maà ¶ri with cancer have a higher risk of dying than non-Maà ¶ri. Northland had significantly higher cancer death rates than nationally. The reason of the change was unhealthy behaviors can increase the risk of developing cancers. Diabetes For total population and Maà ¶ri, by diabetic 1930-2010 December years in Northland The chart above is drawn up to show the trend between Maà ¶ri and non-Maà ¶ri diabetic during 1930 to 2010. It can be seen that Maà ¶ri are easier to suffer diabetes than non-Maà ¶ri, it has a significant increased from 1930 to 1970, however it begin to drop slowly since 1970, until 2010 it has dropped 15 per cent during ten years. The non-Maà ¶ri population has a significantly increase during 1950 to 1990, after that, it is get effective control in 2010. Even thought, Maà ¶ri population who suffer from diabetic is still higher than non-Maà ¶ri population. Obesity The data below was collected in Adult Nutrition Survey and New Zealand Health Survey. For obesity, age-sex standardized rates per 100,000 ages 1-74 years, 1980-99. The chart above is to show the increase of obesity of two different population compare with Maà ¶ri population from 1980 to 1999. The data was show that during 1980 to 1984 period, the Maà ¶ri and Pacific population are nearly the same, however, from 1985 to 1999, Maà ¶ri population rapidly in creased, especially from year 1985. The growth rate of other two population groups never catch up with Maà ¶ri groups. In traditional approaches to hauora from 1900 to 1940, government continued to subsidies doctors as native medical officers in Maà ¶ri districts, and to supply native school teachers with medicines for their pupils. More and more hospitals were built. They were only partially government-funded, and because of a perception that Maà ¶ri land-owners did not contribute their fair share of rates, there was a tendency for hospital administrators to resent having to admit Maà ¶ri patients. Although levels of immunity to new diseases had increased, and death rates were dropping, poor economic circumstances and unsatisfactory living conditions still made many Maà ¶ri susceptible to ill health. Traditional health practices were still very common in all Maà ¶ri areas. In some districts people were reluctant to participate in any modern health programme, particularly programme that were associated with the government. This was the case in Taranaki and the Waikato, following land confiscations after the 19th-century wars. In the Urewera, too, the prophet Rua KÄâ€Å"nana chose to work for health improvement independently of the government and the Maà ¶ri councils. And also Many Maà ¶ri were suspicious of hospitals, and found them unsympathetic to Maà ¶ri cultural practices and values. A move at this time to establish Maà ¶ri hospitals was unsuccessful. The issues access to primary and secondary health services: New Zealand settlement and the treaty of Waitangi The settlers’ introduction of firearms and new infectious diseases had a major impact on death rates among the Maà ¶ris. However, the historical and socioeconomic context in relation to Maà ¶ri mortality after the colonization of New Zealand, specifically Maà ¶ris’ loss of land, was also important noted that death from disease did not occur to the same extent among those indigenous peoples who kept their land (such as in Samoa and Tonga) as among those who did not, because disruption of their economic base, food supplies, and social networks was far less widespread. For Maà ¶ris, this disruption not only occurred via land confiscation made possible through acts of law but also extended to legislation in many other areas, including regulation of Maà ¶ri rights and discrimination against the use of Maà ¶ri language in schools, all of which have affected the health of Maà ¶ri people Maà ¶ri health status After reaching a low point of approximately 42000 in 1896, the Maà ¶ri population began to increase in subsequent years. Government-initiated public health services and Maà ¶ri-controlled health promotion programs, including the appointment of Maà ¶ri health inspectors to work within Maà ¶ri communities, contributed to this gradual recovery. Also, decreases in mortality were probably influenced by the introduction of a national health care scheme and social welfare system in 1938, along with improvements in treatment methods. Health disparities A number of different explanations have been suggested for the inequalities in health between Maà ¶ris and non-Maà ¶ris. One common suggestion is that these differences are due to genetic factors. However, about 85% of genetic variation occurs randomly and is not related to race or ethnicity. The striking time trends in Maà ¶ri mortality and morbidity during the 20th century demonstrate that environmental factors played the major role. Thus, although genetic factors may contribute to differences in health status between Maà ¶ris and non-Maà ¶ris in the case of certain specific conditions, they do not play a major role in population and public health terms. Socioeconomic Factors The first studies to assess the role of socioeconomic factors and health status differences between Maà ¶ris and non-Maà ¶ris investigated mortality in men aged 15 to 64 years. 21–23 The most recent of these analyses showed that Maà ¶ri men were more than twice as likely as non-Maà ¶ri men to die prematurely; also, mortality rates among Maà ¶ri men were significantly higher in each socioeconomic class grouping, and mortality differences among these men were greater within their own ethnic social class groups as well. Lifestyle factors It can be argued that lifestyle factors, such as smoking, represent one of the mechanisms by which socioeconomic factors affect health status. However they are interpreted, it is important to consider the extent to which differing lifestyles may account for differences in health status between Maà ¶ris and non-Maà ¶ris. Discrimination The role of discrimination and racism in harming health is not new but has received increasing attention over the past 20 years. The Maà ¶ri Asthma Review reported that conscious or unconscious attitudes of health workers contribute to reluctance by Maà ¶ris to seek medical care for their asthma until it is absolutely necessary. Another study reported barriers to accessing diabetes care among Maà ¶ris, including unsatisfactory previous encounters with professionals and experiences of disempowerment. Doctors have been shown to be less likely to advocate for preventive measures for Maà ¶ri patients than for non-Maà ¶ri patients, and Maà ¶ris may be less likely than non-Maà ¶ris to be referred for surgical care. The interview answer is now analysis as below: The above table was draw up to show the interview answers which related to their primary and secondary health service. Most of the interview were satisfied with the currently health service, they usually visit the GP once a year, and they usually going to a Maà ¶ri primary health provider first when they feel unwell as they are closest, especially, the Maà ¶ri GP is understand their culture. They will to spend more time discussing with patients, and offered special services that they need. They said the service is much cheaper than before. Assessment task 3 – Present Your Findings and Explain aPresent Day Health Priority for Maà ¶ri According to the analysis, the Health services and quality differences may raise inequalities in disease survival rates, but generally not the incidence. For example: The main exception is Cervical cancer, and to a lesser extent, colorectal cancer and breast cancer, wherein Screening can detect precancerous lesions, thus reducing cancer Incidence. For this reason, these diseases incidence of the differences between minority or different ethnic groups to a great extent, reflects the differences in social conditions and way of life, and can be used as a integral or marked differences. Therefore, in these disease incidences trend of inequality analysis can evaluate our success, to reduce social inequality and assist the development of health and broader social policy. This analysis also provides a planning tool, considering the future development and funding cancer services, to the trend of the past to predict the future trajectory. Trend about risk factors, can also be incorporated int o the forecasting model, to improve the accuracy of the prediction. Maà ¶ri health status is generally worse than that of non-Maà ¶ri where information is available. It validates the need to priorities Maà ¶ri health gain and development in order to reduce and eliminate health inequalities that currently exist. The developments of Maà ¶ri health research priorities need much funding to support and big investment of time in a wide range and strict cooperation in wider New Zealand community, policy makers and health workers (including health workers). The role of health researchers will be convenient. Reference: Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (2010), HBDHB Health Status Review: Diabetes http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=sfrm=1source=webcd=3ved=0CD8QFjACurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawkesbay.health.nz%2Ffile%2Ffileid%2F36070ei=hk5WUu6xM4f2lAWXpYDACQusg=AFQjCNElsdtOGvhoBCBNQCx40rPvYNBnuwsig2=fik4IgIX4RHQc_TCl-FVyQ Ministry of Health (2013), National Cancer Programme: work plan 2013/14, http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/national-cancer-programme-work-plan-2013-14 Ministry of Health (2006), Mortality and Demographic. http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/mortality-and-demographic-data-2006 Ministry of Health (2010), Cancer: New registrations and deaths. http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/cancer-new-registrations-and-deaths-2010 National Ethnic Population Projections: 2006 (base) –2026 http://www.stats.govt.nz/searchresults.aspx?q=Maà ¶ri%20population%20project Health Needs Assessment Northland District Health Board For the Ministry of Health. (n.d.). center for public health research See more at: http://reffor.us/index.php#sthash.n8DdYfxD.dpuf Core Health (2013) Patient Rights, Retrieved: http://www.gorehealth.co.nz/rights-and-responsibilities/ Melanie Jordan (2008) Supporting Indiciduals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Spectrum Disorders: Quality Employment Practices, Retrieved: http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=266 Appendices YI LI 12010316 1

Ryanairs Marketing Environment and Strategy Essays -- Business Manage

Ryanair’s Marketing Environment and Strategy 1 INTRODUTION The aim of this report is to carry out a investigation of Ryanair’s external environment and a strategic analysis of Ryanair, to identify opportunities and threats it might face, and its strategic capability, to isolate key strengths and any weaknesses that need dealing with. Finally, a SWOT analysis will be carried out to assess the extent to which Ryanair’s strategies are suitable to what is happening in its task environment. Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-fares, no-frills short-haul carrier. The organisation was founded in 1985 as a conventional airline but re-launched itself in 1990/1991 as a low-cost carrier, replicating American Southwest Airlines’ business model. Since then Ryanair has grown substantially and successfully. The company currently has 146 routes to 84 destinations in 16 countries, and carries more than 15 million customers annually. Ryanair aims to be Europe’s largest airline in 8 years (www.ryanair.com). 2 ANALYSIS OF THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT -------------------------------------- This is a crucial part of a strategic analysis because organisations do not exist in a vacuum, they are part of a complex world and many factors can influence operations, beneficially and unfavourably. However, these can be difficult to comprehend due to their complexity, diversity and fast changing nature. Necessarily a number of techniques have been developed to facilitate the process and to ‘†¦contribute to answering the key managerial question†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢of what ‘†¦opportunities and threats might arise in the future’ (Johnson & Scholes 2002). 2.1 PESTEL analysis This identifies the main micro-environmental influences by classifying them into six groups: Political, Economical, Socio-cultural, Technological, Environmental and Legal. By applying this framework to Ryanair it is possible to summarise the key forces in the general environment to present opportunities and threats to the organisation. Political = on May 1, 2003, it will mark one of the most important days in recent European history, the continent will see the biggest expansion of EU to date when ten states become new members. For Ryanair new markets will open which suits its growth plans. = Stansted airport, owned by BAA, is one of the most rapidly growing airports in Europe (www.baa.co.uk/... ...) ‘Low-cost airlines likely to resist higher fees to finance Stanstead’, The Financial Times Done, K. (19/12/03) ‘Stanstead outlines pounds 2bn scheme to double capacity’, The Financial Times Done, K. (20/12/03) ‘Challenge to airports operator’s monopoly remains even with its friends in high places’, The Financial Times Done, K. (29/01/04) ‘Ryanair’s dream run comes to an end’, The Financial Times Felsted, A. (04/11/03) ‘Can Michael O’Leary sustain Ryanair’s low-cost success?’, The Financial Times Gow, D. (16/02/04)’Ryanair plans zero frills and fares’, The Guardian Hotten, R. (13/03/04) ‘No-frills deal has impact on bmi’, The Times Insley, J. (18/01/04) ‘Happy New Year for second homes’, The Observer Insley, J. (08/02/04) ‘You can make it if you try’, The Observer Newman, C. (03/12/03) ‘Travellers face big rise in air passenger levy’, The Financial Times Pratley, N. (05/02/04) ‘Clipped Wings’, The Guardian Tait, N. (03/12/03) ‘Ryanair in court over wheelchair fee’, The Financial Times Tran, M. (03/02/04) ‘Ryanair’s airport subsidies’, The Guardian Wright, R. (01/12/03) ‘BA threat to sue if Stanstead gets runway’, The Financial Times

The Department of Psychology at State University Essay -- academic dis

The psychology department of State University is considered an academic discourse community. They have a stated purpose, requirements for membership, and exercise intercommunication techniques. Furthermore, they have shared common knowledge that they use to advance their discipline and attract new members. Eleanor Kutz, a leading expert in the field of language and literacy, argues that academic discourse communities differ from informal ones in the critical area of assumed shared knowledge. She states, â€Å"building on the assumed shared knowledge...affects how people participate in academic communities, including introductory ones† (Kutz 344). In other words, professors introduce basic concepts when students enter the community. These concepts are the foundation that will eventually give rise to greater functionality within the desired academic discipline. The purpose of the academic discourse community is to foster development of novice members and therefore, assurin g that the community has the resources to sustain itself. The purpose of my research stems from this concept of shared knowledge and how it relates to membership and survival. John Swales theorizes, â€Å"survival of the community depends on a reasonable ratio between novices and experts† (Swales 27). Building upon this notion, I aim to show how freshmen to professors are dependent upon one another and how this community achieves their purpose of shared common knowledge. I will do so by focusing on their modes of academic advancement, intercommunication techniques, and shared public goals. Additionally, my research also reveals insight on how a bachelor’s degree in psychology translates into employment. Methodology: Experiences, Observation, and Documen... ... feedback† (Swales 26). This function lends evidence to the idea that within any academic discourse community, there must be ways to pass on knowledge and feedback. This is the action that maintains life within the community. The exercise of passing on shared information allows the Department of Psychology to expand, stay relevant, attract new members, help the community, and function with unity to accomplish their stated purpose and goals. Works Cited Kutz, Eleanor. Exploring Literacy: A Guide to Reading, Writing, and Research. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004. Print. "Many Opportunities for Psychology Students at Akron." The University of Akron : Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. . Swales, John M. Genre Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings. Cambridge: Cambridge United Press, 1990. Print.

The Female Reproductive System

Shakeeta Morgan For life to have an on-going process, there must be the process of creating new life. This process is called reproduction. Human beings reproduce in much the same way as other mammals. There is need for both male and female to be involved in the human reproductive process. The Female Reproductive System The female reproductive system consists of the fallopian tube, ovum,ovary, uterus, cervix and vagina. Ovary This is the name for the sex gland that is similar in function to the male testicle. They are two in number and are located on either side of the uterus (womb). Each ovary is coverd by a tough protective capsule and contains many follicles. A follicle-sound is an egg cell sourounded by one or more layers of follicle cells. It is estimated that about 400,000 eggs (ovum) are stored in eachovary at birth. However, only one egg becomes ripe each month, once puberty begins, and departs from the ovary and travels into the fallopian tubes (oviduct). They also manufacture the female hormones estrogen and progesterone which is instrumental in the onset of the menstrual cycle. Ovum(ova) egg cell A microscopic egg cell is released from one of the two ovaries at an average cycle of once every 28 days. When sperm cells encounter an ovum in the fallopian tube, they swarm around it like bees around honey. Once one sperm cell breaks through the outer membrane of the ovum by using hydrolitic enzymes, the egg immediately produces a wall that blocks a second sperm from entering. When fertilization of an ovum occurs, menstruation stops and no other ovum can be discharged until the fetus has left the uterus. Luteinizing hormone (LH)-sound This hormone is responsible for triggering the release of the ripe egg from the ovary. Corpus Luteum-sound After the ovum (egg) is released from the ovary, a small temporary gland forms in the ovary and begins to produce the hormone progesterone. Progesterone-sound Progesterone is secreted to help prepare the endometrium to receive a fertilized ovum. Once menstruation occurs, progesterone levels decrease and slowly rise again to form a new endometrium. Fallopian tube (oviduct)-sound The ovum is transported from the ovary to the uterus over a period of one to five days via the fallopian tube. They are two in number and lead directly to the uterus. As the egg travels down the tube, hair-like cillia move the egg toward the uterus by a swaying motion. If one fallopian tube becomes blocked and an egg attempts to travel down to the uterus through it, the egg will not be able to make contact with a sperm cell. Occasionally, an egg will implant on the fallopian tube wall. When this happens, the tube painfully ruptures as the egg matures into an embryo. The embryo is expelled from the body and the fertilization process must begin again. Fertilization (conception) Fertilization occurs when one sperm unites with an egg. This usually happens in the fallopian tubules of the female. Ovulation Ovulation is a period of time when a female becomes fertile and can conceive (when a sperm cell and an egg can unite). It usually occurs two weeks before the onset of the female menstrual cycle and lasts for one to five days; the amount of time it takes for an egg to travel down the fallopian tube. Blastula-sound The name for a zygote after the process of clevage, cell division. The blastula is a hollow ball of cells and travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. During this stage the growing egg implants itself into the endomertium. Zygote-sound The fertilized ovum that can divide into a group of human tissue cells and becomes an embryo is called thezygote. A zygote usualy forms in the fallopian tubules. Menstruation-sound Two weeks, on the average, after ovulation, if the egg is not fertilized, it dies and the blood rich cells of the membrane of the uterus and the microscopic unfertilized ovum pass through the uterus out through the vagina in a process called menstruation.. Uterus (womb)-sound The uterus is an thick, muscular organ in the reproductive system shaped like an upside down pear located within the abdomen of a female. It is the place where the membrane lining of the uterus endometrium becomes thicker as it amasses blood and nutrients to accommodate the embryo which will develop and grow into a fetus. It is also the origin of the bloody discharge that usually occurs monthly during the reproductive years of a female. The unique arrangement of hte When it is time for the fetus to be born, the uterus will contract to expel its contents. Cervix An opening at the top end of the vagina leading to the uterus is called the cervix. After an embryo has favorably been implanted in the uterus, the cervix is sealed off to stop infection and allow amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the fetus) to fill the uterus. During the first stage of labor, expulsion of the fetus from the uterus, the cervix dilates (increases in size) to form a passageway for the fetus into the vagina. Endometrium-sound This is the lining of the uterus that is prepared to receive the fertilized ovum. The rich endomerium is equipped with blood vessels which attach to the growing embryo and nourish it. Vagina-sound This tubular female sex organ serves many functions. It is the place where menstrual discharges pass out of the body. It also stretches to function as a birth canal when it is time for the fetus to be expelled from the uterus. It is the channel through which the sperm in the semen travel up toward the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. Although its muscular tissue is much thinner than the uterus, the walls are strong enough to contract to hold a penis or allow passage of a babys head.

Electronic Health Record

Abstract Electronic health records (EHR) is more and more being utilized in organizations offering healthcare to enhance the quality and safety of care. Understanding the advantages and disadvantaging of EHR is essential in the nursing profession as nurses would learn its strengths and weaknesses. This would help the nursing profession know how to deal with the weak areas of the system. The topic on advantages and disadvantages of EHR has been widely researched on with different researchers coming up with different opinions.Nurses ought to have knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of EHR systems for them to use systems efficiently. This would transform the operations of health systems and benefit patients with quality service. The advantage and disadvantage of Electronic Health Records Electronic health records are designed for offering national access to selected information amassed from data found in medical records created by various providers irrespective of whether prov iders are in a similar healthcare system or in the event of patients of accident in a different healthcare facility (Devine, Hansen, Wilson-Norton, et al 2010).EHR is essential to nurses because it increases their efficiency hence undertake their mandate to offer care to patients effectively. Recently most of the sectors have made heavy investments in computerization of their services. The nursing practice is impacted significantly by the use EHR systems. There are both positive and negative impacts in the use of EHR systems. Some researchers have associated EHR with increased efficiency and high quality of care while others cite negative effects like high start of cost and confidentiality of health information.Understanding the advantages of EHR encourages nurses to make greater use of them, while understanding their disadvantages enables nurses to determine areas in which they ought to take caution when using them. Advantages of Electronic Health Records EHR and organizational out comes These organizational outcomes of EHR are mostly comprised of increased revenue and cost containment, together with other less tangible benefits like enhanced regulatory and legal compliance, increased job satisfaction, and improved ability to undertake research. Various authors have made the ssertion that EHRs help care givers in capturing patient charges accurately and at the right time (Devine, Hansen, Wilson-Norton, et al, 2010). Use of EHR ensures elimination of billing errors together with erroneous coding; this in turn increases the cash flow of the provider and enhancement of revenue. Appointment reminders by EHR to patients increases visits by these patients hence increasing revenue. Majority of averted costs linked to EHRs result from efficiencies which result from storing the information of patients electronically (Fleming, Culler, McCorkle, et al. 2011).These comprise of increased test utilization, reduction in resources of staff used in management of patients, redu ction of cost of supplies required for maintenance of paper folders decrease in cost of transcription and costs linked to pulling of charts. Other less tangible benefits include that there is increased operational performance and compliance to legal and regulatory requirements is improved. Additionally, researchers who use EHR experience less malpractice claims. EHRs Clinical outcomes The majority of clinical outcomes been focused relate to care quality and safety of patient.Care quality is defined as doing the appropriate action to the right person at the right time and in the appropriate manner and obtaining optimal results. Similarly safety of the patient is defined as avoiding injuries to patients from care aimed at helping them. Most of the research on EHR is focused on efficiency, effectiveness and patient safety. Weinger, (2010) made the assertion that computerized alerts directed at physicians enhanced the use of prophylactic care for patients hospitalized with the condition of deep vein thrombosis.There was a 19 percent increase in use of anticoagulation prophylaxis when computer alerts are used. This meant that there was 41 percent reduction in the risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis ninety days following discharge. In addition, researchers have established that there is a relation between efficiency and EHRs in the delivery of healthcare. EHRs societal benefits Improved ability to conduct research is another less tangible benefit associated with EHR.When the data for patients is electronically stored, makes the data easily accessible hence more quantitative analysis can be undertaken for identification of evidence-based best practices with ease. In addition, public health researchers use electronic clinical data more actively which have been amassed from a huge population hence coming up with research that benefits the society (Mitka, 2011). Clinical data availability is limited but this form of data will increase. Probable EHRs disad vantagesIrrespective of the findings regarding the advantages of various functionalities of EHRs, some probable drawbacks on EHR have been identified by researchers. These comprise of financial concerns, temporal loss in productivity linked with adoption of EHR, change in workflow, security and confidentiality concerns and several unintentional consequences. Financial concerns comprise of costs of adoption and implementation, cost of maintenance, revenue loss due to temporal low productivity, and revenue declination. These factors act as deterrent for physicians together with hospitals in adopting and implementing an EHR.The purchase and installation of software and hardware, conversion of paper files to electronic forms and training of end-users are major costs. Irrespective of the associated costs, EHR technology has become common recently, as the cost has gone down significantly. The cost of maintenance for EHR can as well be high; there ought to be replacement of hardware and up grading of software regularly. Other costs include fees for support, vendor software maintenance, external contractors’ payments and information systems staff payment.The majority of EHR financial benefits are not linked with the provider, but to the payers of third party in form of averted errors, and enhanced efficiencies; these translate into reduced payment of claims (DesRoches, Campbell, Vogeli, et al. 2010). Poor alignment of incentives for healthcare organizations and towering direct costs are an obstacle. Another probable disadvantage is the risk of violating the privacy of patients. Some of these concerns have been relieved by having policy makers take actions to ensure that patient data privacy is maintained (DesRoches, Campbell, Vogeli, et al. 2010). Recent legislation enforces stringent requirements which prevent unauthorized entities from accessing the data. Topic availability The topic on advantages and disadvantages of EHR is widely available both online and on printed sources. Searching the topic online a wide range of information was obtained. Google search engine had considerable information on the topic. In the search the keywords used were ‘Electronic Health Records’ and ‘EHR. ’ With these keywords, the information obtained was on general knowledge on electronic health records.On adding advantages and disadvantages to the EHR, more refined results on the positive and negative impacts of EHR were obtained. On adding ‘EHR effect on nursing’ the results obtained showed how EHR has positively and negatively affected the functionality of the healthcare system and nursing profession. Nursing and medical journals were mostly used to get this information. In the search, online libraries like EBCOHOST and Apollo library were used. When conducting the search only peer reviewed materials were chosen by selecting that option and the sources selected were not older than five years.For this case sources were chosen to be from 2010 up to 2013. On EBSCOHOST, with the above mentioned criteria and keywords the search results were 485. Apollo online library had search results of 502. This indicates that the topic is widely researched and there is adequate information online to be used for research and practical nursing practice. This search criterion was also used on Google scholar and relevant information was obtained. Information availability On conducting search online with various search engines, information was accessible in various formats.The information obtained showed articles written by researchers regarding the advantages and disadvantages of electronic health records. While some articles presented challenges, others presented benefits of the EHR system. Files were found in PDF PowerPoint and Word document formats. The obtained results on this topic could be used for a wide range of reasons. Some on the information touched on how professionals could use this information in their w ork. For instance, the information on the benefits of using EHRs could help nurses determine how well they can use the EHR systems to enhance efficiency in their operations.Professionals can also get the information of some of the negative impacts of electronic health records. As nurses get to understand this information, it can form basis for their research to unearth what has not yet been found. Some sections of information were useful for patients who want to know about the efficiency and privacy of the system. The administration would find the information useful because it shows ways in which the hospital will benefit as well as how it will be affected negatively by the EHR system.For instance, the administration of the health care facilities will ensure increase in efficiency in the provision of services and billing process would be improved (Otto & Nevo, 2013). Understanding these benefits would encourage healthcare administrators to make decisions on whether to adopt EHR syst ems. Personal views In the nursing practice, this technology of electronic health records poses some challenges that need to be addressed before it is adopted. The major concern of this topic is the security issue, whereby the confidentiality of the information stored in these systems is under question (Weinger, 2010).It is felt that unauthorized people may get access to this information and use it maliciously. Patients wouldn’t be willing to use this system unless they are assured that their information is secure. In addition, some nurses may have inadequate skills in using the system and can easily make errors that can put patients in danger. Therefore, the nurses should be adequately trained on the use of EHR systems. Failure to do so may put patients at risk and lower the quality of the care provided which would be contrary to the intentions of EHR. Though there are cons to using the system, the pros outweigh them. ConclusionThis paper has discussed the topic on advantage s and disadvantages related with adoption of EHR. EHR is widely believed to ensure that there is improved efficiency in provision of healthcare, cost is contained and that accuracy is maintained by reducing medical errors. Through adoption of EHR, it will be easy to conduct research as medical data of the required population would be readily available. Some of the drawbacks associated with use of EHR are financial concerns, temporal loss in productivity linked with adoption of EHR, change in workflow, security and confidentiality concerns and several unintentional consequences.Despite having many unintentional consequences of EHR on balancing the benefits with the drawbacks, EHRs are beneficial specifically at social level. Information on this topic is readily available and can be used as a basis for deciding whether to adopt the system or not. References DesRoches, C. M. , Campbell, E. G. , Vogeli, C. , et al. (2010). Electronic health records’ limited successes suggest more targeted uses. Health Aff (Millwood) 29(4), 639–646. Devine E. B. , Hansen R. N. , Wilson-Norton J. L, et al. (2010). The impact of computerized provider order entry on medication errors in a multispecialty group practice.J Am Med Inform Assoc. 17(1):78–84. Fleming NS, Culler SD, McCorkle R, et al. (2011). The financial and nonfinancial costs of implementing electronic health records in primary care practices. Health Aff (Millwood) 30(3), 481–489. Mitka, M. (2011). Electronic health records, The Journal of the American Medical Association, 305(14), p1402 Otto, P. & Nevo, D. (2013). Electronic health records, Journal of enterprise informationmanagement, 26(1/2), 165-182 Weinger, M. B. (2010). Electronic health records, The New England journal of medicine, 363(24), 2372-2374 Electronic Health Record Abstract Electronic health records (EHR) is more and more being utilized in organizations offering healthcare to enhance the quality and safety of care. Understanding the advantages and disadvantaging of EHR is essential in the nursing profession as nurses would learn its strengths and weaknesses. This would help the nursing profession know how to deal with the weak areas of the system. The topic on advantages and disadvantages of EHR has been widely researched on with different researchers coming up with different opinions.Nurses ought to have knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of EHR systems for them to use systems efficiently. This would transform the operations of health systems and benefit patients with quality service. The advantage and disadvantage of Electronic Health Records Electronic health records are designed for offering national access to selected information amassed from data found in medical records created by various providers irrespective of whether prov iders are in a similar healthcare system or in the event of patients of accident in a different healthcare facility (Devine, Hansen, Wilson-Norton, et al 2010).EHR is essential to nurses because it increases their efficiency hence undertake their mandate to offer care to patients effectively. Recently most of the sectors have made heavy investments in computerization of their services. The nursing practice is impacted significantly by the use EHR systems. There are both positive and negative impacts in the use of EHR systems. Some researchers have associated EHR with increased efficiency and high quality of care while others cite negative effects like high start of cost and confidentiality of health information.Understanding the advantages of EHR encourages nurses to make greater use of them, while understanding their disadvantages enables nurses to determine areas in which they ought to take caution when using them. Advantages of Electronic Health Records EHR and organizational out comes These organizational outcomes of EHR are mostly comprised of increased revenue and cost containment, together with other less tangible benefits like enhanced regulatory and legal compliance, increased job satisfaction, and improved ability to undertake research. Various authors have made the ssertion that EHRs help care givers in capturing patient charges accurately and at the right time (Devine, Hansen, Wilson-Norton, et al, 2010). Use of EHR ensures elimination of billing errors together with erroneous coding; this in turn increases the cash flow of the provider and enhancement of revenue. Appointment reminders by EHR to patients increases visits by these patients hence increasing revenue. Majority of averted costs linked to EHRs result from efficiencies which result from storing the information of patients electronically (Fleming, Culler, McCorkle, et al. 2011).These comprise of increased test utilization, reduction in resources of staff used in management of patients, redu ction of cost of supplies required for maintenance of paper folders decrease in cost of transcription and costs linked to pulling of charts. Other less tangible benefits include that there is increased operational performance and compliance to legal and regulatory requirements is improved. Additionally, researchers who use EHR experience less malpractice claims. EHRs Clinical outcomes The majority of clinical outcomes been focused relate to care quality and safety of patient.Care quality is defined as doing the appropriate action to the right person at the right time and in the appropriate manner and obtaining optimal results. Similarly safety of the patient is defined as avoiding injuries to patients from care aimed at helping them. Most of the research on EHR is focused on efficiency, effectiveness and patient safety. Weinger, (2010) made the assertion that computerized alerts directed at physicians enhanced the use of prophylactic care for patients hospitalized with the condition of deep vein thrombosis.There was a 19 percent increase in use of anticoagulation prophylaxis when computer alerts are used. This meant that there was 41 percent reduction in the risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis ninety days following discharge. In addition, researchers have established that there is a relation between efficiency and EHRs in the delivery of healthcare. EHRs societal benefits Improved ability to conduct research is another less tangible benefit associated with EHR.When the data for patients is electronically stored, makes the data easily accessible hence more quantitative analysis can be undertaken for identification of evidence-based best practices with ease. In addition, public health researchers use electronic clinical data more actively which have been amassed from a huge population hence coming up with research that benefits the society (Mitka, 2011). Clinical data availability is limited but this form of data will increase. Probable EHRs disad vantagesIrrespective of the findings regarding the advantages of various functionalities of EHRs, some probable drawbacks on EHR have been identified by researchers. These comprise of financial concerns, temporal loss in productivity linked with adoption of EHR, change in workflow, security and confidentiality concerns and several unintentional consequences. Financial concerns comprise of costs of adoption and implementation, cost of maintenance, revenue loss due to temporal low productivity, and revenue declination. These factors act as deterrent for physicians together with hospitals in adopting and implementing an EHR.The purchase and installation of software and hardware, conversion of paper files to electronic forms and training of end-users are major costs. Irrespective of the associated costs, EHR technology has become common recently, as the cost has gone down significantly. The cost of maintenance for EHR can as well be high; there ought to be replacement of hardware and up grading of software regularly. Other costs include fees for support, vendor software maintenance, external contractors’ payments and information systems staff payment.The majority of EHR financial benefits are not linked with the provider, but to the payers of third party in form of averted errors, and enhanced efficiencies; these translate into reduced payment of claims (DesRoches, Campbell, Vogeli, et al. 2010). Poor alignment of incentives for healthcare organizations and towering direct costs are an obstacle. Another probable disadvantage is the risk of violating the privacy of patients. Some of these concerns have been relieved by having policy makers take actions to ensure that patient data privacy is maintained (DesRoches, Campbell, Vogeli, et al. 2010). Recent legislation enforces stringent requirements which prevent unauthorized entities from accessing the data. Topic availability The topic on advantages and disadvantages of EHR is widely available both online and on printed sources. Searching the topic online a wide range of information was obtained. Google search engine had considerable information on the topic. In the search the keywords used were ‘Electronic Health Records’ and ‘EHR. ’ With these keywords, the information obtained was on general knowledge on electronic health records.On adding advantages and disadvantages to the EHR, more refined results on the positive and negative impacts of EHR were obtained. On adding ‘EHR effect on nursing’ the results obtained showed how EHR has positively and negatively affected the functionality of the healthcare system and nursing profession. Nursing and medical journals were mostly used to get this information. In the search, online libraries like EBCOHOST and Apollo library were used. When conducting the search only peer reviewed materials were chosen by selecting that option and the sources selected were not older than five years.For this case sources were chosen to be from 2010 up to 2013. On EBSCOHOST, with the above mentioned criteria and keywords the search results were 485. Apollo online library had search results of 502. This indicates that the topic is widely researched and there is adequate information online to be used for research and practical nursing practice. This search criterion was also used on Google scholar and relevant information was obtained. Information availability On conducting search online with various search engines, information was accessible in various formats.The information obtained showed articles written by researchers regarding the advantages and disadvantages of electronic health records. While some articles presented challenges, others presented benefits of the EHR system. Files were found in PDF PowerPoint and Word document formats. The obtained results on this topic could be used for a wide range of reasons. Some on the information touched on how professionals could use this information in their w ork. For instance, the information on the benefits of using EHRs could help nurses determine how well they can use the EHR systems to enhance efficiency in their operations.Professionals can also get the information of some of the negative impacts of electronic health records. As nurses get to understand this information, it can form basis for their research to unearth what has not yet been found. Some sections of information were useful for patients who want to know about the efficiency and privacy of the system. The administration would find the information useful because it shows ways in which the hospital will benefit as well as how it will be affected negatively by the EHR system.For instance, the administration of the health care facilities will ensure increase in efficiency in the provision of services and billing process would be improved (Otto & Nevo, 2013). Understanding these benefits would encourage healthcare administrators to make decisions on whether to adopt EHR syst ems. Personal views In the nursing practice, this technology of electronic health records poses some challenges that need to be addressed before it is adopted. The major concern of this topic is the security issue, whereby the confidentiality of the information stored in these systems is under question (Weinger, 2010).It is felt that unauthorized people may get access to this information and use it maliciously. Patients wouldn’t be willing to use this system unless they are assured that their information is secure. In addition, some nurses may have inadequate skills in using the system and can easily make errors that can put patients in danger. Therefore, the nurses should be adequately trained on the use of EHR systems. Failure to do so may put patients at risk and lower the quality of the care provided which would be contrary to the intentions of EHR. Though there are cons to using the system, the pros outweigh them. ConclusionThis paper has discussed the topic on advantage s and disadvantages related with adoption of EHR. EHR is widely believed to ensure that there is improved efficiency in provision of healthcare, cost is contained and that accuracy is maintained by reducing medical errors. Through adoption of EHR, it will be easy to conduct research as medical data of the required population would be readily available. Some of the drawbacks associated with use of EHR are financial concerns, temporal loss in productivity linked with adoption of EHR, change in workflow, security and confidentiality concerns and several unintentional consequences.Despite having many unintentional consequences of EHR on balancing the benefits with the drawbacks, EHRs are beneficial specifically at social level. Information on this topic is readily available and can be used as a basis for deciding whether to adopt the system or not. References DesRoches, C. M. , Campbell, E. G. , Vogeli, C. , et al. (2010). Electronic health records’ limited successes suggest more targeted uses. Health Aff (Millwood) 29(4), 639–646. Devine E. B. , Hansen R. N. , Wilson-Norton J. L, et al. (2010). The impact of computerized provider order entry on medication errors in a multispecialty group practice.J Am Med Inform Assoc. 17(1):78–84. Fleming NS, Culler SD, McCorkle R, et al. (2011). The financial and nonfinancial costs of implementing electronic health records in primary care practices. Health Aff (Millwood) 30(3), 481–489. Mitka, M. (2011). Electronic health records, The Journal of the American Medical Association, 305(14), p1402 Otto, P. & Nevo, D. (2013). Electronic health records, Journal of enterprise informationmanagement, 26(1/2), 165-182 Weinger, M. B. (2010). Electronic health records, The New England journal of medicine, 363(24), 2372-2374