In economic geographic analysis, the ‘firm’ usually is assumed, at least implicitly, as a coherent and unitary economic actor. The WritePass Journal

In economic geographic analysis, the ‘firm’ usually is assumed, at least implicitly, as a coherent and unitary economic actor. Introduction In economic geographic analysis, the ‘firm’ usually is assumed, at least implicitly, as a coherent and unitary economic actor. IntroductionConclusionRelated Introduction In economic geographic analysis the ‘firm’ has an ontological and epistemological privilege (Grabher, 2004). Since 1980s onwards the notion of firm as a ‘black box’ a coherent and unitary factor was challenged. There is an increase in investigation of the relation between firms. The concept of firm as a coherent and unitary economic actor was diminished by the concept of ‘projects’ (Grabher, 2002). This essay aims to discuss the centrality of ‘the firm’ in economic geography, and examine the concept of project that undercut the integrity of firm as a coherent and unitary actor by using the evidence from the recorded music industry. The firm in neoclassic economics is defined as â€Å"the theoretical in which production take place†. This does not take the activities of the real firms or corporate organization into accounts (Williamson 1999: 1089). While market is viewed as the most efficient ways of organizing economic activities, much of neoclassical economic geography simply perceive the firm as â€Å"black box† (Hodgson, 1989) which means that it converts inputs into outputs according to the demand and supply in the market. In the perfect markets, all firms in the industry have an equal opportunity to access to perfect information without the need of human or social interaction (Hirchman, 1982). The firm is considered as ‘self-contained and homogenous’ (Yeung, 2005). Grabher also suggests that in economic geography the ‘firm’ have been unproblematised as coherent and unitary actor. This was evidence in â€Å"geography of enterprise† approach in which primary concerned with a dominant firm, rather than industry or a regions of firm (Yeung, 2000 ).   Much economic geographic analysis was focused only with the role of motivation, location, and individual firm’s behaviour (Krumme, 1969). This was called as pseudo-concrete analysis (Sayer, 1982) because it does not take the complex organizational processes inside the representative firm into accounts. Therefore it reduces organisational structures of firm into simple dichotomies such as single-plant or multi-plant enterprises. However, single-plant firms are difference from multi-plant firms and separate plants within multi-plants firms are much more similar (Yeung, 2000). Hence, the notion of firm as a coherent unitary economic actor usually leads to misrepresentation of spatial organization of production. However, the concept of firm as a ‘black box’ a coherent unitary economic actor was challenged by the practice of project-based organizing. Project is defined as system of productions that constituted by different agents such as economic, social and cultural agents with specialize, difference and complementary skills. They aim to accomplish usually a complicate task in which the task requires cooperation of multidisciplinary skills that it more economically efficient to bring together on a temporary basis (Lorenzen and Frederiksen, 2005 ). In order to coordinate the division of labor, it focuses on the ‘relational proximity’ instead of ‘spatial proximity’ and represents particular forms of temporal and spatial actor-networks (Boggs and Rantisi, 2003). Project organizing diminishes the integrity of firm as a coherent and unitary actor because boundaries of project organization operate and cooperate across different firms (Gann and Salter, 2000). In many project-based businesses, project teams work closely with a variety of difference firms rather than their home base manager (Grabher, 2002). In addition, instead of assuming the firm as a single and coherent actor, projects focus on the role of individuals with in firms, specifically how individuals’ interest coincides with or differs from material interests of the firms (Boggs and Rantisi, 2003 ). Grabher (2001) also illustrates a number of paradoxes that challenge the key assumptions of organizing. Projects often have high complexity, high risk and high stake outcome; however, they could be unorganized and lack formal structure that could coordinate the complexities. Since projects depend on collective knowledge and diverse skills; nevertheless there is little time for individuals to clarify members’ abilities and skills. Furthermore, there is not enough time to develop trust and confidence among the members. However, Grabher (2001) argues that these paradoxes can be partly resolved by including the social context into projects. Networks, localities and institutions supply legitimation and trust that are preconditions for the ‘projectification’ of economic organisation. He further explains that reputation is essential for success in projects. Reputation in project organization is not about certificate; it is about how well we work with other people. In addition, the success of project also depends on inter-personal skills and co-operate attitude. Furthermore, location plays a crucial role in the success of the project.   Grabher (2001) explains that project collaboration often takes place in densely knit clusters. The co-location of project partners reduces transaction costs and increase face-to-face interaction. This also provides a local ‘communities of practice’ that serve as informal educational system for sharing knowledge. Moreover, rather than formal firm contractual networks, it is personal networks that provide the basic social infrastructure for learning. In addition, he argues that since projects are embedded in an institutional context of normative structures that manage complex tasks, it allows the emergence of ‘swift trust’. Swift trust is where actors are viewed from their role instead of their individual personality. For example, engineers are trusted because they are engineers and they believe that engineers are trained to apply their principles. As a result, expectations are more standardised and stable because it is defined in term of tasks than personalities (Grabher, 2001). Nevertheless, since project becomes more popular, it has the impact on the employment.   There will be more self-employ job and freelance labor in the future. There are some disadvantages such as short contact, job insecurity and uncertainty. Grabher (2002) argues that project does not entirely replace the firm, but there are interdependencies between projects and firms as well as the personal relations, localities and corporate networks from which these projects mobilize essential sources; this is called project ecology. He uses example of the project ecology of record music industry. The recorded music industry is characterized by high innovation and task complexity that requires cooperation from difference skills. Recorded music industry illustrates that projects are more likely organized on the market instead of inside the boundaries of firm. However, the localized cluster in the advertising village shares the same basic principles of social organization with the global communication group. In addition, both ‘the village’ and ‘the group’ represents high level of diversity of organizational forms which is crucial in working. In addition the periods of ‘idleness’ in project work mi ght be considered economic inefficient; however period of idleness is a part of the process that give a chance to rest and reflect. Furthermore, the evidence from recorded music industry shows that geographical clustering has a significant role in market organized-project (Lorenzen and Frederiksen, 2005). Recorded music ecologies are often clustered in the world’s major cities (Scott, 1999). This because clustering allows people to interact with each; it creates social trust and allows information to be shared and available to all local firms (Grabher, 2005). Conclusion To conclude, the notion of the firm as a ‘black box’ was challenge by organizational practices which are built instead around ‘projects’’. Project organizing undercuts the integrity of firm as a coherent and unitary actor because boundaries of project organization operate and cooperate across different firms. There are some paradoxes of project such as there are a lack the normative structures, there is no time to clarify member’s ability and develop confidence building. However these paradoxes could be overcome by including the social context into projects. The evidence from record music industry also illustrates that the projects are not completely replace the firm, but there are the interdependencies between projects and firms as well as the personal relations, localities and corporate networks.

7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam

7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam 7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam 7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam By Stephen Holliday Despite students’ wildest hope of avoiding the dreaded essay exam- one that requires either short or long essay answers rather than multiple choice answers- most find themselves taking such an exam, particularly for subjects like history, philosophy, literature, sociology, political science and others. This type of exam, however, can be successfully managed if you follow a few guidelines outlined here: 1. After the initial panic passes, read through all the questions before you begin to answer any of them, underlining key words and phrases that will help guide you in your answer. In many cases, instructors will incorporate key words and phrases from their lectures in the exam question, so make sure that you focus on these elements in your answer. 2. Based on your comfort level (or lack thereof) with particular questions, after you have reviewed all questions, decide approximately how much time you have for questions that are relatively easy for you to answer and, conversely, which questions will require more time to answer correctly and thoroughly. This is a very important step because it will help you organize your time and effort. 3. Think of each essay answer as a mini-essay in itself, and approach each answer with a shortened version of the process that you’ve been taught to use when writing full essays. If you are used to brainstorming or clustering when preparing to write an essay, go through the same, but greatly shortened, process for an essay answer. The time spent in some form of outlining will save time and effort as you answer the questions. 4. Given the time constraints of most essay exams, you can’t afford to write and re-write answers. From an instructor’s perspective, if a student’s answer contains a great deal of cross outs and perhaps whole paragraph deletions, the instructor will probably conclude that the student is not well prepared. It is critical, therefore, to outline the answer before you begin writing and to follow the outline as you write. Marginal notes of an outline or brainstorming process will probably impress the instructor. 5. The â€Å"rhetorical mode† for an answer may be determined by your instructor. For example, you may be asked to analyze, define, compare/contrast, evaluate, illustrate, or synthesize the subject of the question, and you need to focus on answering the question with an analysis, a definition and so on in order to respond to the question appropriately. 6. Just as you do when you draft an essay, try to begin the answer with one or two sentences that answer the question directly and succinctly. In other words, think of the first two sentences as a thesis statement of an essay, and after you’ve stated the answer’s â€Å"thesis,† support that thesis with specific examples in the body of the answer. 7. Lastly, one of the most important steps you can take is to proofread your answers and make any necessary corrections neatly and legibly. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesThe Six Spellings of "Long E"20 Classic Novels You Can Read in One Sitting

A GAINST THE ODDS Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

A GAINST THE ODDS - Movie Review Example The NAACP plus the Urban League began the task of educating African-American in the performing and visual arts so as to respond to the racial stereotype of African-American in the 20s. Against the Odds: the Harlem Renaissance was both an art society and a compound political awakening to change. African-American historians narrate the efforts African-American political leaders made in order to convert Americas belief of the black populace from negative to positive. For instance, David Levering Lewis, the writer of When Harlem Was in Vogue, clarifies that the Harlem Renaissance was not on the subject of aesthetics, but it wanted to improve the lives of the African-Americans (Edwards 1). In conclusion, this film explores the rich and complex account of the Harlem Renaissance. Its production quality is brilliant. Lighting and sound in every scene is steady. Against the Odds: the Artists of the Harlem Renaissance, finally, would be an excellent addition to public and school library

Same sex schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Same sex schools - Essay Example Although same-sex schools have the advantage over co-ed schools in terms of academic excellence. Its disadvantages outweigh those advantages. For example in female same-sex schools, females don not have to struggle with their gender identities and thus can concentrate on their schooling. Girls no longer have to ask; "is my hair ok How does my makeup look Am I going to look like a geek if I answer another question Do I have to play sports to impress the girls" (Fidelman) In contrast, adolescents in co-ed schools are always flooded with these issues on their mind instead of concentrating on their academic lessons which should be the most essential task (Fidelman). However, the disadvantages of same-sex schools are far more plenty than its advantages. Schools should be a training ground to enable the students to be ready for the real world. In the real world, not only female dominate the world. In same-sex schools, emphasis is usually on female role model. The students' role models for best teachers are female, their role models for best athletes are female and the list goes on. Furthermore, single sex education is inconsistent with the goals of this nation's public school system to develop an educated population able to transcend barriers of race and gender in society" (Single sex education is an unwise policy).

Fast Food Nation Essay Example for Free

Fast Food Nation Essay In his essay, â€Å"Fast Food Nation† Eric Schlosser condemns the impact of fast food on human health and American economy. Schlosser detests the fast food chain because it causes thousands of independent business to come to an end. As a result, unemployment plays a major role among these small scale businessmen. In addition it creates social differences among the people due to food market being captured by fast food chain. In order to attain a monopoly and dominate the fast food industry, they employ low paid and unskilled work force which is a threat to the public and migrant farm workers. Every citizen has the right to know the ingredients being used in the food so they can avoid the deleterious effects of the fast food on their health. His assertion, â€Å"introduction of deadly pathogens† states the risk encountered by small children who are the future generation of the modern world ( 392). Addition of harmful chemicals to increase the taste and aroma of food leads to chronic diseases like cancer, stroke and heart diseases. Furthermore Schlosser’s fear about the fast food being a social problem and turning out to be a threat to the American economy is the pinnacle of this essay. Small scale farms and full-time farmers are in the risk of losing their livelihood with the emergence of the fast food industry. He also points out the inability of the Government to eliminate the lethal meat which paves its way into the fast food industry and pose health problems. Then he moves onto the consumers and asserts that, â€Å"Even the anticipation of consumer anger has prompted McDonald’s to demand changes from its suppliers,† – this reveals that the consumers should be provoked and created an awareness about the ins and outs of the food they are eating (396). The insight of the author about the fast food industry builds up in a gradual process and finally reiterates the need for the public to take immediate action and cease the use of fast food as their regular food and search for other healthy options like simple and healthy cooking which would help them retain a hale and a healthy life. Saying no to the fast food makes the fast food industry to rethink their formula of safe food and saves our precious life as well as the future generation. Let’s think about it.

Jane Eyre and Control Dramas Essays -- Jane Eyre Essays

Jane Eyre and Control Dramas  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   There are particular powers that drive lives in their respective directions.   Some are internal, but the majority are external.   The external propellers are forces caused by the environment of an individual.   Environmental influences include but are not limited to   geographical and climatic forces.   In addition, there are societal forces such as the "control drama." Control dramas have been introduced by the best selling author James Redfield as a way to evaluate situations through behavioral classifications.   Jane Eyre is an excellent example of how control dramas affect the individual.   In order to fully understand why Jane acts as she does, it is paramount to analyze the control dramas that influence her choices and decisions (Redfield 142-43). Redfield suggests, "One of the first steps we must take to evolve consciously is to clear away our past attitudes, fears, misinformation, and behavior for controlling the flow of energy" (142-43).   A control drama is a situation that involves an individual want or drive to control power.   This will to power is exhibited through actions, reactions, conversations, and all other facets of everyday life.   The foundation of control dramas begin early in life and set the tone for further life choices.   In a conversation, for example, there is often a constant drive for each participant to feel as if he or she is in control.   The way that each person gains control defines the different levels of a control drama.   There are four basic types of power control that we purport:   two which are passive and the two that are active. The most active role one can assume is the "intimidator."   The intimidator vies for attention by use of extreme behavior.... ...Jane's environment, she fell in love with Mr. Rochester.   The reason for her feelings was not because he was good looking, especially kind, rich, or socially suitable, but because she felt no pressure to perform within a control drama.   Mr. Rochester and Jane did not have to act with activity or passivity to coerce the other to sacrifice any of their own personal control.   This unfettered relationship is finally successful because of their conscious effort to remain free of these dramas. Works Cited Brontà «, Charlotte.   Jane Eyre.   Ed.   Richard J. Dunn.   2nd ed.   Norton:   New York, 1987.   (5-398). Eagleton, Terry.   "Jane Eyre's power Struggles."   Jane Eyre.   Ed.   Richard J. Dunn.   2nd ed.   Norton:   New York, 1987.   (491-96). Redfield, James, and Carol Adrienne.   The Celestine Prophesy:   An Experimental Guide.   New York:   Time Warner Co., 1995.    Jane Eyre and Control Dramas Essays -- Jane Eyre Essays Jane Eyre and Control Dramas  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   There are particular powers that drive lives in their respective directions.   Some are internal, but the majority are external.   The external propellers are forces caused by the environment of an individual.   Environmental influences include but are not limited to   geographical and climatic forces.   In addition, there are societal forces such as the "control drama." Control dramas have been introduced by the best selling author James Redfield as a way to evaluate situations through behavioral classifications.   Jane Eyre is an excellent example of how control dramas affect the individual.   In order to fully understand why Jane acts as she does, it is paramount to analyze the control dramas that influence her choices and decisions (Redfield 142-43). Redfield suggests, "One of the first steps we must take to evolve consciously is to clear away our past attitudes, fears, misinformation, and behavior for controlling the flow of energy" (142-43).   A control drama is a situation that involves an individual want or drive to control power.   This will to power is exhibited through actions, reactions, conversations, and all other facets of everyday life.   The foundation of control dramas begin early in life and set the tone for further life choices.   In a conversation, for example, there is often a constant drive for each participant to feel as if he or she is in control.   The way that each person gains control defines the different levels of a control drama.   There are four basic types of power control that we purport:   two which are passive and the two that are active. The most active role one can assume is the "intimidator."   The intimidator vies for attention by use of extreme behavior.... ...Jane's environment, she fell in love with Mr. Rochester.   The reason for her feelings was not because he was good looking, especially kind, rich, or socially suitable, but because she felt no pressure to perform within a control drama.   Mr. Rochester and Jane did not have to act with activity or passivity to coerce the other to sacrifice any of their own personal control.   This unfettered relationship is finally successful because of their conscious effort to remain free of these dramas. Works Cited Brontà «, Charlotte.   Jane Eyre.   Ed.   Richard J. Dunn.   2nd ed.   Norton:   New York, 1987.   (5-398). Eagleton, Terry.   "Jane Eyre's power Struggles."   Jane Eyre.   Ed.   Richard J. Dunn.   2nd ed.   Norton:   New York, 1987.   (491-96). Redfield, James, and Carol Adrienne.   The Celestine Prophesy:   An Experimental Guide.   New York:   Time Warner Co., 1995.   

Case Analysis #2

Rongsheng Yuan MGMT250 Hector Martinez Case analysis#2 03/27/13 Amelia Rogers, the account director for Tassani Communication, worked with the Marketing director, Guy Johnson. Johnson informed her that Dave Burns, the creative director had phoned him to discuss the direction of the â€Å"Rust No More Muffler† project. The problem is if Amelia need to take up the situation with Jim Paglia, the COO of Tassani Communications. Rogers, Burns and Johnson worked on a variety of ideas for the â€Å"Rost No More† project. They met to review the work several times to make suggestions of feasibility of the project.Burns was satisfied with the sketch and believed that the work could be improved smoothly. However, Johnson’s boss had some queries about their ideas. Johnson asked Rogers and Burns to start working on another layout. There are four objectives that explain the reasons why Burns tried to phone Johnson several times even if he was not supposed to do so. First of all , Burns’ role was to give the creatives’ ideas to the clients and account management people. He need to communicate the creatives’ version in a convincing way. As a creative director, Burns should make the client to think the creatives’ more groundbreaking ideas.It was his task to talk with his clients in terms of their interests. In order to make his work successfully, he had to meet his client frequently to make sure all the requirements were included and meet. Burn was a responsible director who cared about the ideas of his clients and the quality of the project. Secondly, Burns was not able to accept clients’ opinions when they do not agree with him. However, Burn did not consider his stubbornness as a weakness even if he was aware of a fault. In his opinion, if he disagreed with someone, he was free to not agree and give out his thoughts.His point of view was true, but he often did not understand situations well. As Rogers mentioned in the cas e, Dave loved to be shared with backgrounds. Since Dave needed to learn the detailed instruction of the project, he would question If he was not informed. It was understandable that Burns should be informed of the requirements of assignments, but his phone calls were overwhelming to Johnson if he questioned too often. Thirdly, Amelia did not have industry-specific experience, and she did not have good relationship with colleagues in TC, so the project and the conflicts might be a huge challenge for her.Even the COO Paglia encouraged her to ask questions and was willing to help if she had any concerns. When Rogers, Burns and Johnson worked on the assignment, it was Rogers’ role to be the mediator of Burns and Johnson. According to the case, the colleagues of TC demonstrated that Rogers provided best products by creating conflicts. She only cared about the relationship with her clients and did manage to get achievements. However, she did not get along with her colleagues well d ue to her arrogant manners.Since Amelia lacked the industry-specific experience and good relationship with colleagues, she got frustrated with the assignment naturally. The fourth objective is that Johnson’s boss doubted their layout. During the development of their project, Rogers, Burns and Johnson met to review the layout twice. They design a postcard with an illustration of a muffler, but they got a lukewarm reception from Johnson’s boss. As a result, John advised Rogers to get a illustrated sample of the layout. According to the case, Johnson’s boss seemed to be unsatisfied with their idea or give any suggestions to them.Burns might be concerned about the ideas and quality of their assignment, so he phoned Johnson twice to make sure what his boss needed. To solve all of these potential problems, there are four alternative solutions make sense to me. Firstly, I believed that Amelia should ask Paglia for help due to her lack of experience. Since Burns was a s tubborn person who was overwhelming when he disagreed with others, Paglia, as his superior, could ask him not to phone Johnson frequently. However, it was Burns role to talk with clients about their assignment.Burns did not do anything wrong but was eager to know Johnson’s opinions. As a result, Amelia showed that she was not capable of handling the problems herself. Meanwhile, Burns might care her to worsen their relationship by contacting COO directly. The second solution is to talk with Burns face to face. According to Amelia, she would explain backgrounds to Burns when doing their project. Burns might understand this situation if Amelia’s explanation were convincing. However, in the case, Burns did not pick up her calls, which implied that he might not want to communicate with her.Even if Amelia had the chance to talk to him, his strong opinions would not be changed easily. The third solution is to ask Johnson’s boss for direct advice about their layout. The ir problem was from Johnson’s boss because of his unconvincing attitude. Their project would move forward successfully once they got the clear instruction from the boss. However, employees of TC were not expected to communicate directly with clients unless they meet tactical issue. However, Johnson was frustrated with their layout. He did not get good feedbacks from his boss.As for Burns, he would stop making phone calls to Johnson once they had the detailed requirements from the boss. The fourth solution is to have a group meeting to discuss their plan of the assignment. As they reviewed the layout, they should also speak out their point of view. Since Burns had many questions about their project, Johnson should explain their background and requirement to him clearly. Meanwhile, Johnson was also unfamiliar with his boss’ idea, so he needed to indicate that he did not want to further discuss the project after the meeting.As for Burns, he should think alone about his id eas toward the assignment before group meeting. However, this solution would only solve their internal conflict but would not help their assignment move on because they lacked the detailed instruction of the layout. We can choose the best solution by compute the total scores of the solutions that meet the objetives. Problem | Objectives| | Solutions| | | Burns phoned Johnson twice to talk about the project but Johnson refused Burns phoned Johnson twice to talk about the project but Johnson refused | 1.Burns’ task to talk with clients. | | 1. ask Paglia for help| | | | 2. Burns insisted on talking with Johnson. | | 2. talk to Burns| | | | 3. Rogers lacked of experience| | 3. Talk to Johnson’s boss| | | | 4. Johnson’s boss was not convinced | | 4. group meeting| | | Objectives | Objective 1| Objective 2| Objective 3| Objective 4| Total | Rank in importance| | | | | | Solution1| 3| 4| 3| 1| 11| Solution2| 1| 3| 2| 1| 7| Solution3| 3| 4| 1| 5| 13| Solution4| 4| 3| 2 | 1| 9| From the table, to talk with Johnson’s boss is the best solution which meet most of the objectives.