War and Change in World Politics

War and Change in World Politics Ahmed AlAbdullatif A hegemon refers to the undisputedly strongest state in the international system. Hegemony has five main dimensions namely economic, political, military, institutional and ideological. The theory of hegemonic stability mostly approached from either neorealist or neoliberal direction. The theory of hegemonic stability is critical because it captures the tendency of the leading powers in the world using force to assert their dominance. Similarly, the world super powers also use their positions to create ideas, alliances, and institutions which allow for free participation of other states in a relatively open free participation. In his study, Gilpin argues that the fundamental nature of international relations is yet to change over the millennia. His study is based on history, sociological and economic studies which indicate various forces which have influenced the world order. According to Gilpin, the current economic unevenness is as a result of the differential growth of power in the international system (Gilpin 186). Any shift in the balance of either economic or military power leads to a subsequent weakening of the foundations of the already existing systems. The waning of these systems is primarily caused by those gaining power because they value the increasing benefits and the decreasing costs of changing the system (Gilpin 188). Continued alteration of the system through political, territorial, technological and economic hegemony leads to increased marginal costs of continuing change beyond the marginal benefits. The cost of maintaining the international status quo among the dominant powers has incre ased resulting in major discrepancies between the power they possess and their commitment (Gilpin 187). According to Gilpin, the hegemonic stability between the dominant powers and the rising powers is attained through alteration of the existing laws in the international system (Gilpin 187). Rising powers will always attempt to change the rules governing the international system, the national distribution of territory and the division of the spheres of influence. On the other hand, the dominant powers usually counter the challenge from the rising powers by exercising their hegemonic powers such as proposing changes in their policies in an attempt to restore equilibrium in the systems (Gilpin 187). Gilpins argument suggests that in case the dominant power fails to restore the order through changes in the policies meant to restore the previously existing equilibrium, the disequilibrium is usually resolved by war. Before resulting to war as the final means of restoring the desired equilibrium, the challenged powers have two main alternatives in terms of the actions they can take. The most preferred solution to the disequilibrium created by the rising power is an increase in the resources that are meant in maintaining their positions and commitment in the international system (Gilpin 188). Secondly, the dominant or the aggrieved power can also attempt to reduce its existing commitments as well as the associated costs but ensure that the reduction dies not in any way jeopardize their positions in the international system. These are two policies that should be analyzed separately and be followed in exclusion of the other. In generating new resources meant to meet the cost of dominance and also forestall decline, various methods such as an increase in domestic taxation are used (Gilpin 188). Another tool which is commonly used is through an exacting tribute from other states. These two courses act ions usually provoke resistance and rebellion because an increased taxes result in decreased productive investment as well as low living standards. The solution to this can be government employment of more indirect methods of resource generation in a bid to meet a fiscal crisis. Inflationary policies and the manipulation of terms of trade with other countries are common in such case. In hegemonic stability theory, it is important to consider the role played by the hegemon in generating order and cooperation. Neoliberal hegemon has a responsibility to rescue the financial system through opening global trade by sheer economic size as well as encouraging institutionalized cooperation in order to create a sustainable and open economy. According to Gilpin, the hegemons usually force the weaker states to join cooperative regimes in order to reduce uncertainty, decrease transaction costs and build consistency in terms of economic expectations. Cooperative hegemons usually try as much as possible to identify with the interests of its allies and adjust its bargaining position accordingly. Basically, as per Gilpins argument, the cost or the benefit calculation in foreign policy determination is based on a states objective to change the international system using methods that will give them an edge over others by putting their interests first (Gilpin 50). However, as much as a state would like to boosts its national interests over others, a cost is involved. For instance, a state must have adequate resources to meet this cost and also be in a position to pay them. However, if a state does not have adequate resources to meet these costs, it attempts to change the system. The system remains relatively stable if it is unchanged and also if individual states are profiting from it regardless of the obvious inequalities (Gilpin 51). Based on this outcome, political realists fail to argue that the objective of every state is to maximize its power within the international system. However, an opportunity cost to a society is compulsory in the acquisition of power. Consequently, if a given state is in the quest to acquire power, other desired goods are lost in the process. This has been advantageous in improving stability in the international system because most states forgo apparent opportunities to increase their influence as the costs are too high. Although change of the international system is mostly associated with the rising powers who feel disadvantaged by the hegemons, the net gains or the benefits the accrue from a change of system can determine whether the change comes from the rising power or the hegemon. The powerful countries can engage in a change of the international system in order to increase their future benefits. On the contrary, the rising powers can pursue a change of the system to decrease threatened losses. In addition, long-term benefits are an important consideration before making the changes because they are more beneficial compared to the short term gains. Also, the losers of the change also dread the fact that the long-term costs of the development will outweigh the short term benefits. Lastly, Gilpin asserts that once equilibrium has been reached between the costs and the benefits of change, the economic costs of maintaining the status quo tends to rise faster compared to the economic capacity needed t o support the status quo (Gilpin 156). Gilpins argument on the contribution of hegemony in war and order differs with that of Bulls. According to Bull, the international system is only referred to as stable if the changes made are gradual and peaceful. In addition, if an order has to be achieved, states have to follow various well-laid patterns which consequently provide stability to the system and at the same time create goals that are common for all the involved actors and reduce uncertainty. Also, Gilpins argument focuses on the lack of attainment of an equilibrium between the hegemons and the rising powers as the major cause of war. On the other hand, Bull argues that the practice of the laid out patterns institutionalizes the international society. Also, according to Bull, there is a difference between anarchy and order. Anarchical situations in the international order is mainly as a result of lack of higher authority of law making (Bull 135). However, the existence of anarchy in the international system is not neces sary an indicator of lack of order. On the other hand, the existence of order in the international system is not an indicator of the existence of hierarchy. According to Bull, there are five main institutions in the international society which are key to facilitating order. They include diplomacy, international law, the balance of power, war and the Great power managerial system. According to this classification, the Great Powers play a managerial role in the international society. Also, since their interests are system-wide, any incident in the system affects their interests. Therefore, it is critical for the hegemons to establish the order by managing their relations with one another as well as managing the relations between the small states within their sphere of influence (Bull 213). Hegemons, therefore, maintain good relations with one another by ensuring that they recognize the spheres of influence of each other and desist from interfering. The conventional approach to hegemony shows that the concept has been used to an indicator of power disequilibrium in the international system. According to Morgenthau, the primary factors on which hegemon lies include natural resources, military capacity and the level of preparedness, the economic capacity, morale and unity, technological innovation, quality of diplomacy and government. Morgenthaus argument allows the study of hegemony and how it contributes to war and order through a multidisciplinary approach. This implies that hegemony can either be viewed as an agential or as a structural phenomenon. Although the two scholars have a different approach on how hegemonic stability theory impact on war and order, Gilpins argument synthesizes various aspects of Bulls and Morgenthaus argument Work Cited Bull, Hedley. The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Gilpin, Robert. War and change in world politics. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1985. Morgenthau, Hans J. Politics among nations; the struggle for power and peace. New York: Knopf, 1967. Print.

Power of Women in The Grapes of Wrath :: Grapes Wrath essays

Power of Women in The Grapes of Wrath Women are known for as holding families together. When times get rough women are the foundation to the family and help keep things together. A woman poses different qualities that can help keep the family strong. These qualities can be categorized in the four archetypes of a woman. The idea of the woman Archetype is presented by Carl Jung. The first being Mother Nature, the very physical aspect and the second is the virgin, which represents the spiritual aspect of the archetype. The third is the young which who is the physical state while the fourth is the old witch possessing the spiritual side of the woman archetype. The four women in John Steinbecks, The Grapes of Wrath represent these four archetypes and take on responsibilities that in the end help the family succeeds in achieving their dreams. Ma Joad is a woman of strength and hope who is the backbone of the family. She represents the Mother Nature archetype while she posses the physical aspect of guiding the family and staying strong when the family needs her most. Steinbecks shows the importance of ma's character by the syntax usage to describe ma. " Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work...her ankles, and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor", Ma is described with these features to show her strength as a mother who has control and survives through hard situations (95). Her 'bare feet' being close to the earth shows how she takes on a 'Mother Nature' archetype to her character. She is one with the earth just as Mother Nature is. Mother Nature is one that gives birth, produces, sustains life and nurtures her family. All of these archetypes are expressed in ma's character. Even though she is a very strong woman she knows her role in the family. Ma knows when it is her time to help the family and when it is appropriate to step back and let the father run things. It is an unsaid statement but known by all in the family that "ma was powerful in the group" and they look to her for important decision making (133).

John Proctor Essay

The Crucible is an ingeniously written play by Arthur Miller. The story is based on a real life tragedy that arose from trumped up hysteria that gripped Salem, Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. At the same time that this play was being written, a certain American paranoia arose, McCarthyism. This created a perfect parallel between modern day and the story for Arthur Miller.  The second act starts in the Proctor household. This is the first introduction of the two characters together and already Miller has engaged the audience’s attention. Their marriage is very frosty and cold and this chilliness is portrayed to the audience by the way that the couple speak to each other, using short, harsh words to express their feelings, â€Å"Pray now for a fair summer/ Aye.† It is clear to the audience from these brief answers that Elizabeth is trying to avoid talking to her husband and is somewhat dismissive of him. Their tentative conversation is mainly derived from the affair that John and Abigail had had: the audience is well aware of this. The audience is also gripped by the way John is trying to forget the past, shown by his declaration of his only intent, ‘to please’ Elizabeth, whom coldly accepts. Salem is finally mentioned and on that note the tone is set to a standard civilised manner, but Elizabeth’s mention of Abigail later on again stirs up heat, â€Å"†¦the town’s gone wild†¦she speak of Abigail.† This rekindled heat shows the audience how eager Elizabeth is on dwelling on the past, frequently raising issues related to the affair, â€Å"I do not judge you,† the two colliding personas intensify drama in the scene effectively. Elizabeth’s provocation gives perfect cause for John to get angry and also is vital when Hale enters. Luckily for Elizabeth, Mary Warren walks in. John uses her arrival to divert his rage in a successful attempt to reduce apparent tension between his wife and himself. Mary then decides to recite a list of the accused in the trails in Salem, Miller’s endeavor to create even more drama pays off as when Elizabeth’s name is ‘somewhat mentioned’ in the court. At this point John becomes infuriated. Mary tries to calm everyone down and gives Elizabeth a doll that she had made during the proceedings in court. This in turn indirectly creates drama due to the fact that the audience is prefixed on the belief that it is a kind gesture, but it is later used against Elizabeth when she is being condemned, â€Å"‘Tis Hard proof†¦I find here a poppet†¦in the belly†¦a needle’s stuck.† John, after hearing his wife’s mention tells Mary Warren to ‘go to bed’ where she shows the power that she has to the crowd and to John by telling him that she ‘will not be ordered to bed anymore.’ The heated conversation between John and Mary reaches a crux. The conversation’s temper level is suddenly dropped and Mary goes to bed. Miller carves drama from every aspect of this conversation. The audience is obviously familiar with the charge for communicating with the ‘Devil,’ imminent death. In this sense it is obliviously clear that Miller has ventured to create suspense for the audience, what will happen next, how will Elizabeth react, will she die? Elizabeth is then forced to think pessimistically. She then starts to contemplate what will happen to her after this is resolved, indicating the worst possible outcomes. Miller has done this to show the audience what the character must be going through, letting them adopt Elizabeth’s persona, creating drama by indoctrinating their thoughts to fit the pessimistic way in which Elizabeth is thinking, â€Å"†¦the noose is up!† Hale’s entry into the scene is very peculiar. Miller’s intent when writing the stage direction, â€Å"Quite suddenly, as though from the air, a figure appears,† is so the person directing the play can have the entry very mysterious, so as to arouse suspicion about the character of Hale amongst the audience. His mysterious welcome and his reason for coming to the Proctor household, to determine ‘the Christian character of this house’, makes John very hostile towards him. John sees his invasion as a form of provocation and becomes aggressive towards him; â€Å"we are not used to visitors after dark.† Hale proceeds in explaining how the witch-hunt has intensified and that there are a numerous amount of people accused. So far Arthur miller has kept drama in this scene at an extraordinarily high and constant rate, keeping the audience at the edge of their seats, hardly dropping dramatic tension anywhere. Hale appears at a tense moment that startles Mr. and Mrs. Proctor, the audience knows this but Hale does not and so is not aware that he is unwelcome. The scene that follows is very intense and hilly with the dramatic tension constantly pulsing up and down. From the beginning the conversation between Hale and John Proctor is rather heated especially when issues of the church are concerned, â€Å"Powers of the dark.† It is clear to the audience that both Hale and Proctor are sceptical about the goings on Salem but do not want to show it. For example, when they are talking about the accused and Rebecca Nurse’s name gets mentioned Hale’s insecurity is shown when he says, † God forbid such a one be charged.† Miller also shocks the audience over the accusation of Goody Nurse showing them the power the girls have over adults and Salem, also displaying to them how the girls position has been uncontrollably elevated, Mary Warren: â€Å"I’ll not stand whipping any more!†

Rhetorical Analysis Of Minsdsight By Daniel J. Allport

Through his novel Minsdsight, Daniel J. Seigel, M.D., sheds light on the wonderfully rich sea within the minds of human beings. This sea is adorned with memories and dreams, thoughts and feelings, hopes and wishes, as well as sorrows, fears, and qualms. The turbulence caused by these sorrows, fears, and qualms have the power to create feelings of overwhelming sensations. In order to surmount this turbulence, Siegel has coined the term â€Å"mindsight† which is a â€Å"kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds† (ix). Siegel promotes mindsight by weaving the concepts of neuroplasticity and integration in Part I and Part II of his novel. Siegel provides enlightening guidance in his chapter through using clearly explained analogies, metaphors, diagrams, emerging neuroscience research, and spiritual wisdom. In Part I of this novel, the author primarily focuses on the structure and bountiful abilities of the brain, such as neuropl asticity, â€Å"the term used to describe the capacity for creating new neural connections and growing new neurons in response to experience† (5). These new neural connections make way for change, by not only strengthening the areas that one may be weak in, but by also learning how to make better and more conscious choices when faced with turbulence. In Part II, Siegel explores the real-world accounts of this turbulence and how patients are able to utilize mindsight to change how they focus their attention by finding a

Analysis Of Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club - 1369 Words

A Perspective of the American Dream The Joy Luck Club Was written by 1989 by Amy Tan, a first generation American born in 1952 to immigrant parents. Tan was raised by her mother, who had left kids back in China, and a father, who was a Baptist minister. She grew up in California and attended high school in Switzerland. At the age of 15 her brother and father died of a brain tumor. Tan perceives the American dream in the way that an Asian immigrant would, which would be to pass down what we know so our kids won’t repeat the same mistake and will apply it to their lives. Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club tells the story of the hopes and dreams of immigrant mothers and their first generation daughters in America. June is the daughter of Suyuan, who†¦show more content†¦Then Ying-Ying had married a man who was ruthless, who married another woman and hurt her, she took the only thing that she could, their baby, and left him. Lena had been in an unstable relationship with Harold Livotny where he controlled it, but from her mother she learns that she has control and she breaks up with Harold and finds a new man. By the end June goes to China to meet her sisters and tell them of their moms passing and reconnect. The American Dream the perspective of an Asian immigrant is that of wanting their decedents to learn from their mistakes in order to not repeat them. The way that Tan conveys this is through her characters like Rose and her mother An-mei. Through their story Rose is dealing with her divorce and how her husband is getting the better deal, and An-mei recalls about what her mother had done for her. When An-mei does this she remembered that back in â€Å"China†¦ They could not speak up. They could not run away†¦ But not they can do something else† (p241) allowing her to teach Rose that she can do something instead of just letting it happen, something that was not done back then in China but now can happen. The lessons that the mothers teach their daughters help them so much even though they aren’t able to see it at first. Lena had been inShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club1250 Words   |  5 PagesThe Joy Luck Club is Amy Tan’s first novel that is a tribute to several generations and different cultural connections. Tan has written: â€Å"To my mother / and the memory of her other / You asked me once / what I would remember. / This, and much more.† The Joy Luck Club is set primarily in modern- day San Francisco’s popular Chinatown, but much of the book occu rs in flashbacks of the mothers’ lives in China. While and after reading this book, you can ask yourself many questions that could spark up anRead More The Complexity of Mother and Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club1316 Words   |  6 PagesThe Complexity of Mother and Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club   Ã‚  Ã‚   Since the beginning of time the mother and daughter relationship has been complex.   The book The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a great example of the mother and daughter relationship.   In the book Amy Tan writes about four women who migrate to America from China.   All of the women were in search of a better life since the lives they had in China were not what they wanted for themselves.   Even though all of the womenRead MoreAnalysis Of Two Kinds By Amy Tan1567 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the most complex relationships is that of a mother and daughter. Amy Tan is an author who writes about her life growing up as an Asian-American in Chinatown. Her novel The Joy Luck Club is a series of short stories about Chinese mothers and their assimilated daughters. One of these stories is â€Å"Two Kinds,† which looks into the life of Jing-Mei Woo and her struggle to gain a sense of self. Some key themes in The Joy Luck Club are the generational and intercultural di fferences among Chinese-AmericanRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article Your Mother Is Your Bones About The Joy Luck Club 1125 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Responses to the Novel Orville Schell wrote the article â€Å"Your Mother is in Your Bones† about The Joy Luck Club. Schell starts out by giving some historical background information on China, about those emigrating in order to escape Communism and how Asian immigrants didn’t fit in America as easily as Europeans did. He also talks about Chinatowns and other struggles immigrants faced. He talks about the strange phenomena where Chinese-Americans were bound to China by heritage, but they hadRead More Mother and Daughter Similarities in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club1955 Words   |  8 PagesMother and Daughter Similarities in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club â€Å"Here is how I came to love my mother.   How I saw her my own true nature.   What was beneath my skin.   Inside my bones.† (Tan 40)   Ã‚  Ã‚   The complexitities of any mother-daughter relationship go much deeper then just their physical features that resemble one another.   In Amy Tan’s novel The Joy Luck Club, the stories of eight Chinese women are told.   Together this group of women forms four sets of mother and daughter pairs. TheRead More Power of the Mother and Daughter Relationship Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club1482 Words   |  6 PagesPower of the Mother and Daughter Relationship Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club In the novel, The Joy Luck Club, the author, Amy Tan, intricately weaves together the roles and experiences of Chinese mothers with their American born daughters. During a time of war, the mothers flee from China to America, leaving behind a past filled with secrets that unravel as their daughters mature. While sharing their difficulties, these mothers must be able to teach Chinese beliefs and customs to their daughters inRead MoreThe Eight Heroes in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan703 Words   |  3 PagesIn the novel The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, four Chinese mother-daughter pairs, each with her own unique story, have deep connections with each other. At the beginning of the novel they each seem like ordinary women, but as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that these women are more than just mothers, daughters, or wives; they can also be considered heroes according to Joseph Campbell. Joseph Campbell says a hero is someone who undergoes a departure, where the person is confronted with a problemRead MoreCritical Analysis of Mother Tongue Essay907 Words   |  4 PagesBeverly Williamson English 111 September 21st, 2012 Critical Analysis Essay I have chosen â€Å"Mother Tongue† for the subject of my essay. I chose this essay because Amy Tan has a unique writing style which has tone that is clear and identifiable. Tan makes her arguments in a way that is easily understood. While her tone is sometimes humorous and captivating, it still clarifies some serious issues. These qualities among others leave Tan’s work to be desired by almost any reader because her tone andRead MoreAnalysis Of Amy Tan s The Joy Luck Club, Homer s Odyssey1480 Words   |  6 PagesElbert Hubbard once said â€Å"Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that. In Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, Homer’s The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles, and Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, hope and expectation illustrate the thin line between success and utter destruction in which hope and expectation are found. Characters such as Junior, and Penelope have begun to master the art of hope, while characters such as June have people aroundRead MoreMother Tongue1199 Words   |  5 PagesRhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Mother Tongue† written by Amy Tan â€Å"So easy to read†(p.4). Amy Tan ends her essay, â€Å"Mother Tongue† with this short and even grammatically wrong sentence. She tells us this mother’s brief review is a proof of success of her writing. Why does she think that easiness is an essence of her writing? She suggests answers to this question by her essay. In her essay, Amy Tan effectively convinces her readers that â€Å"broken English† is not an inferior language, but just

Scavenger Hunt - 1092 Words

University of Phoenix Material Center for Writing Excellence Scavenger Hunt For each of the questions below you should look at both the Center for Writing Excellence and the University of Phoenix Writing and Style Guidelines. Submit your responses to the following questions: (HINT: Refer to the Reference and Citation Examples documdented in the Tutorials and Guides section, as well as the Sample Paper and the Library link.) 1. If more than one author is listed, must all authors be listed in the citation? Yes 1. Is the author’s full name used in the References page entry? No 2. If no year is listed for an in-text citation, what should be listed? (n.d.) 3. What is the minimum information needed for an†¦show more content†¦| | |Fit to Window |Stretches your paper to fit the viewing area. Depending on your computer’s | | | |screen settings, this sometimes makes things easier to see. | | |Normal |Switches to the Normal view. | | |Print Layout |Switches to the Print Layout view. | |Insert |Page Break |Adds a page break to your paper at the point where your cursor is. | | |Page Number |Inserts a page number into your document (useful in the header). | | |Symbol |Adds symbols not available on your keyboard. Some useful examples are the em | | | |dash (—), the copyright mark ( ©), all of the accented letters you could ever | | | |want (Useful if your name is â€Å"Renà ©e†), and several fractions (â…ž). | |Format |Align Left |Left justifies the text of whichever paragraph your cursor is in. | |Show MoreRelatedScavenger Hunt922 Words   |  4 Pages16.   How many submissions are allowed for Exercises?   How many submissions are allowed for Post Tests? Two submissions are allowed for exercises and only one submission is allowed for post-tests. 17. How many points will you receive on the Scavenger Hunt if get all questions correct.   How many points will be deducted for each question missed? If all questions are correct, you receive 50 points. You lose 10 points for each incorrect answer. 18. Canvas contains practice exams and answers.   WhatRead MoreThe For The Cultural Scavenger Hunt1428 Words   |  6 PagesFor the cultural scavenger hunt, I was able to observe my doctor’s office, called Doctors Family Practice Center. It was interesting for me to notice the setting more in detail, and to observe people, pictures, and literature. Although I have been there a few times, it was helpful to notice small details. I was glad that I was able to do this project, because in the future I will observe healthcare settings more in detail. While at the doctor’s office, I noticed several pictures that were displayedRead MoreScavenger Hunt1421 Words   |  6 Pages1. ECPI is an accredited institution. Who is the accrediting body, and what does this mean for you as a student? Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, It means that our diplomas are real and can be used in the real world 2. What 4 academic programs or courses of study does ECPI offer? Technology, Business Criminal Justice, Health Science, and Culinary Arts 3. Who are the department heads for each program (for days and nights it’s the same Dept. HeadsRead MoreEssay on Scavenger Hunt1183 Words   |  5 Pagesquestion in your own words (do not copy and paste). Provide the page number on which the information is found. Save the document as first name, last initial_scavengerhunt. Example: CrystalE_Scavengerhunt. If you have questions, please ask. Scavenger Hunt Questions University 1. Who is the accrediting body for ECPI? ECPI University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Specifically, The Health Science/Medical AssistingRead MoreImplementing A Debt Education Program1310 Words   |  6 PagesCashCourse ® is that they offer scavenger hunts. Student life could promote the scavenger hunt and assist with the execution of the events. The goal is to help students become familiar with the program throughout each semester. Towards the last three months of each semester, we will have an event to test the student’s skills and knowledge they acquired through the activities. The Scavenger hunts consist of three online challenges. 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Strategic Management Hospitality Industry

Question: Discuss about the Strategic Management for Hospitality Industry. Answer: Introduction: Strategic management in hospitality industry requires creating and implementing the goals which are focused on this particular industry to improve the status of an organization. The strategies are created by the management board on behalf of the owners after considering the available resources in the organization. While creating the strategies for an organization, the management has to keep in mind the competitors strategies. Strategic management provides the ways of using the available resources efficiently to ensure low cost and an efficient production process for the company. Strategic management is an inconstant process where any change in the environment where the organization is operating will result in a change in the strategies of the organization. Strategic management works on the business model of an organization to create competitive advantage in the industry. In the year 2005, the Langham Hospitality Group acquired the property in Queensland, New Zealand, where the hotel stands now. It had focused on the Victorian grand tradition and elegance while refurbishing the rooms. The company faces competition from strong Internet brands like Wotif.com and others. There are also traditional hotels present in the same area, but the excellence in providing service is what keeps the organization ahead of its competitors. Customer satisfaction, one of the main requirements in this industry is properly adjusted in every strategic management sessions in The Langham Auckland. The fundamental purpose of the hotel is to provide accommodation to the clients. It also provides other services like a fitness center, restaurant, spa, entertainment, conference facilities, and spa. This report shows the internal and external situations of the organization. It points out the scopes of improvement with proper measurements. It incorporates the strategies which can he lp the organization in improving the quality of their services (Langham, 2016). Internal audit: To understand the internal situation of The Langham Auckland a SWOT analysis is required which will reveal the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the hospitality industry. SWOT analysis: Strengths Excellent service Experienced employees Heritage of Victorian grand tradition Variety of products and services Huge investment capacity Reputation Wifi enabled buildings More than four hundred rooms Weaknesses Old strategies for the market Lack of new skillful employees Rising labor cost and another cost of production Low-profit margins.' Lack of sales channels Huge maintenance cost Less appealing to the young generation Government intervention Low-level security Opportunities Rapid growth in the tourism sector Increasing demand for hotels due to sports events Destination preference of European tourists changed for New Zealand Increased rate of travel for business Unavailability of top quality hotels Technological improvements Diversity in related services Vintage decorations and other added values to the services being provided Extending booking options Free use of social media Threats Harmful contents being posted in social media Increasing number of cheap hotels Young generation avoiding vintage decorations Old strategies to encounter present day issues Poaching staffs Increasing competition Change in government policies Emerging online hotel industry PESTEL analysis: PESTEL analysis is used by the strategic management officials to analyze the external market environment. As stated by Yksel, (2012), it highlights the factors which affect the organization. The factors are broadly incorporated under the categories Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal. The Langham Auckland is currently operating in Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland, 2016). The following PESTEL analysis will show the environment where the hotel is operating. Political: As stated by Becken et al., (2013), the political scenario of New Zealand is more or less stable. It gives the hospitality industry in the country an extra boost. The corruption level in the politics of the country is low due to transparency and the small size of the country. , Kate Simcock, the Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner said, despite being one of the first countries in the world to ratify the agreement, the New Zealand Government doesnt yet have a plan for how it will curb climate emissions domestically. This puts the otherwise stable political country New Zealand in a tough situation. The regulation and taxation policies by the government have the potential to make the business environment-friendly to The Langham Auckland. Economic: The country has steered out of the depression which was caused by the Global Financial Crisis of 2007. The country is facing boom now, which means the scope of the hotel in the industry is high. According to Yusof and Amalina, (2014), the impact of globalization has been positive on the countrys economy. It brings more tourists from the international market. The labor cost or the wage is reasonable in the country, and it holds promise for more employment in the future as the economy move towards the boom. The factors of production in this country come at a reasonable price. Due to the global operations of the organization, it has a great parameter of comparing input prices of New Zealand. Social: Population growth in New Zealand is increasing at a constant rate. The political leaders with the help of the citizen have reduced gender and ethnic diversity. This promises a better workplace environment in the country. Health situation is improving rapidly in the country with an increasing literacy rate. This phenomenon incorporates all the cultures present in the country. As stated by Campbell and Ma, (2015), the digital disparity in the society is yet to overcome the high hurdles. More literacy rate, especially in the tribal areas, will ensure more skilled labors. According to the tourism and travel board of the country, there has been a significant increase in city tours. It presents an enormous scope for The Langham Auckland in New Zealands market. This will increase social welfare and reduce economic disparity in the country. Technological: As stated by Tse, (2014), the research and development activity in the country has increased since the nation came out of the Global Financial Crisis. The Multi-National Corporations operating in the markets of New Zealand has contributed significantly in this regard. The government has also taken significant steps to increase the research and development activity in the country. The impact of emerging technologies might hold a rough patch for The Langham Auckland, but the technology transfer by the Langham Hospitality Group can help the grand hotel in adopting the market challenges present in the economy. Environmental: According to Brunton et al., (2015), the climate change issues are considered as a threat in the country. New rules and regulations in the country are created to protect the environment. Those businesses are getting a license which will follow the emission regulations. This will decrease the impact on the environmental health of New Zealand. According to Rachet, (2014), the general health will get better due to this giving the organizations operating in the country a healthy workers domain. The pollution control board gives guidelines to the organizations production process and products and services. The Langham Hospitality Group has spent a lot of environmental issues which put the organization in an advantageous position the industry. Legal: The consumer law in the country helps The Langham Auckland to create its ethical guidelines. The employee law creates a better working environment for the employees. Both of these together help the staffs to serve better. As stated by Bargiela and Nickerson, (2014), the health and safety law is there to ensure a better service. The regulatory board of the hospitality industry determines the service quality of the organizations. It also determines the degree of competition in the market. The legal environment in New Zealand is favorable for the grand hotels like The Langham Auckland. Gap analysis of The Langham Auckland: According to Williamson et al., (2012), the purpose of a Gap analysis is to see the difference between the things an organization has achieved using some resources and the things that it should have achieved using the same resources. It shows the gap between actual performance and potential performance of a country. If the actual performance is lower than the possible performance, it will show the inefficiency in the organization's production process. The gaps considered in the case of The Langham Auckland are given as follows: Gap 1: It shows the general incompatibility between the organizations management and its clients. It happens for not understanding the real expectations of the visitors. According to Buhalis and Crotts, (2013), due to wrong interpretation of clients expectation, this gap gets created. The customers complaints and failure in understanding them by various levels of organizational management are responsible for this gap. Gap 2: As stated by Choudhury and McIntosh, (2013), this gap gets created in the process of realization. The Langham Auckland, even knowing the clients demands failing to satisfy them creates this gap. The proper reasons behind this kind of gap are as follows: Bad service design: Unclear service design Bad and faulty service design New service developed unsystematically Lacking the standard that clients want: Failure in defining the level of service according to clients wish Procedural management lacking the focus on the demands of clients Goals of service quality not being met by the management Lacking good quality service ambiance: Failure in creating values according to the needs of the clients Failure of the service ambiance to meet the demands of the clients Lack of innovation in creating the ambiance Gap 3: According to Lam, Ho and Law, (2015), this kind of gap arises when the available resources are not enough to meet the clients demands. The management over sighting the needs of the clients causes this gap. The reasons can be pointed out as: Oversight by the Human Resource: Creation of bad reputation Friction in the clients and managements interests Weak method of evaluating customers' preferences Deficiency in high quality teamwork Inadequate interaction between the management and customers: Clients failing to recognize their role and engagement in the service process Clients creating negative reputation among themselves Difficulties with servicing representatives: Frictions regarding objects and accomplishments Quality and consistency controlling problems Frictions regarding administration and authorities Poorly accorded presentation and demand: Failing to modify the demanding limits Weak selection of clients Disproportionately relying upon the price while adjusting the demand Gap 4: Miscommunication between the management and the staffs due to various reasons might result in earning a bad name in the industry. The reason behind this gap are: Lack of creating an integrated communication system: Customizing every outer transmission independently Not keeping interactive marketing in the plan of communication Lacking a developed program of internal marketing Ineffective administration of clients anticipations: Failing to manage client anticipations through all communication forms Clients are not instructed sufficiently Absurd agreements in marketing pursuits for personal benefits Low horizontal communication level: Miscommunication between people handling campaigns and people handling the operation Inadequate communication between people accountable for retail and people engaged in operations A same organizations different branches having different beliefs According to Hall and Rusher, (2013), any one of these four gaps or all of them might occur in the organization, which will lead to the 5th gap (Gap 5) which is also known as the "gap of clients." It results in creating a difference between the expectations of the customers and the service they were provided. From the Gap analysis done above for The Langham Auckland, several options can be developed to make a strategic change in the organization, the major one being concerned with miscommunication. Creating a better communication system for the organization: Miscommunication is the 4th gap. According to Mok, Sparks and Kadampully, (2013), it has more potential of ruining an organization. The first three gaps are easier to overcome than the gap of miscommunication. Hence, it is a must for the organization to create a better communication system. The desired outcomes of creating a better communication are as follows: Better customer service: A better communication process has the potential of removing Gap 1, Gap 2, and Gap 3 alone, which are related to serving the customers. As stated by Thill, Bove and Chatterjee, (2013), with better communication system within the staffs of The Langham Auckland the differences between the services promised and provided will decrease. As all the employees of the organization will have a clear picture of what they are providing the clients, they will be able to put their effort in the right way. Communication with the clients will also get better because of this improvement in communication. The issues which were created by miscommunication between the management and clients will reduce due to this measurement, creating a better place for the clients. Clear recognition of the directions from administrators among the employees: According to Kernbach, Eppler and Bresciani, (2015), with a clear communication system the direction coming from the authorities will be thoroughly carried by the staff members. The plans created by the upper managements will properly executed by all employees with the help of a better communication system. The betterment of communication is needed in both ways. There are several issues that can be observed by the staff members which are not noticeable for the senior management. With a clear communication system which works both ways, these issues can be addressed properly. This will add to the value of the service being provided by The Langham Auckland. To achieve a better communication system and implementing the required changes the management has to take some actions. This will require some resources which will allow the actions to improve the communication in The Langham Auckland. Required actions: The organization has to use multiple channels for communication. Using only one channel might result in failure in successfully reaching a message as different employees respond to different channels. According to Argenti, (2015), the management has to determine which person requires which channel of communication. The message has to be delivered in a consistent way; otherwise it will get distorted on the way to the receiver of the message. Thus, the need for consistent communications is very important. The organization has to make sure that every employee of The Langham Auckland goes through a training process where identifying different situations and reporting them is being discussed thoroughly. Creating a regular horizontal communication chain is required. It will make the staffs familiar with the dos and donts in the communication system. According to Poulston and Jenkins, (2013), a feedback process is required with the communication system. Feedbacks will help the organization' s communication process get more accurate and efficient. Required resources: Developing communication strategies: Developing communication strategies will help the organization reach its communication goals. Using better technologies: the existing technology being used for communication can either be updated or replaced by new technology to get a better quality of communication. The Human Resource Management can include more skilled personnel who can improve the quality of the communication process prevailing in The Langham Auckland. Regular training with improving technologies is required in order to ensure a better handling of the communication system. The resources needed for creating a better communication in the organization; the organization has to hire personnel who are specialized in this domain. According to Markey and Knudsen, (2014), this will ensure high quality of information mobility. Milestones: Activity Week 1-2 Week 3-4 Week 5-6 Week 7-8 Week 9-10 Identifying the effective communication processes Choosing the appropriate communication process for The Langham Auckland Selecting personnel fitting the chosen communication process Acquiring required technology using the resources available Installing the communication system Regular training for a specific period to create top quality information mobility Table 1: Gantt-chart for creating a better communication system. Source: As created by the author. The figure above shows the milestones that the organization has to cover in order to create a better communication system in The Langham Auckland. Success measurements: To measure the success of implementing better communication system, this following table has to be followed by The Langham Auckland (Lacey, 2013). Goals Measure of success Dialogue creation Clear business communication between the sender and the receiver of the message. Teamwork and communication Effective communication is achieved by the team. No one is lagging behind. Credibility of the information The information gathered by internal and external communication are trustworthy and reflects positivity. Quick delivery of emergency information In the cases of urgency, messages are delivered and received quickly as required. Table 2: Measures of success for The Langham Aucklands better communication. Source: As created by the author. Conclusion: The Langham Auckland is dealing with that part of the industry which has been revolutionized by the internet facilities. The services provided by the restaurant are no more unique as the competition in the market is rising rapidly. The quality of the services is differentiating The Langham Auckland from its rivals. There are several places where the hotel can add more value to the services provided to the customer. The report shows that The Langham Auckland can improve the five gaps in order to improve the quality of their services. The gap which demands priority is communication. The communication process of the hotel can be changed into a better and updated process. It will make the workers more efficient and ease conversations with the customers. It will take The Langham Auckland ten weeks to complete the whole transformation process. This transformation in the system also requires training for the employees to get used to. The technology which will be adopted by the hotel can come from the research and development wing of The Langham hospitality group. Using social media properly to address the young generation will also increase the market demand for the services provided by The Langham Auckland. References: Argenti, P. A. (2015). Corporate communication. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Bargiela-Chiappini, F., Nickerson, C. R. (2014). Writing business: Genres, media and discourses. Routledge. 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