The Electoral College system has served the nation’s interests, or so they say, for the last 200 years. Yet there remain many misgivings about its core principle, especially the disproportionate power it gives to voters depending on their state. This piece of electoral framework also heavily disenfranchises voters from non-swing states like New York or Texas, both of which will be totally ignored by presidential candidates because they’re absolutely expected to vote Democrat and Republican, respectively.
Opponents of a change in the system argue that the constitution has been masterfully crafted by the founding fathers, especially with regards to the balance between federal and national government.
“In the Federalist Papers No. 39, James Madison argued that the Constitution was designed to be a mixture of federal (state-based) and national (population-based) government. The Congress would have two houses, one federal and the other national in character, while the President would be elected by a mixture of the two modes, giving some electoral power to the states and some to the people in general. Both the Congress and the President would be elected by mixed federal and national means.” (“Electoral College”, par.9)
This ideal is incompatible with reality because modern day American politics disregard most states and most voters in presidential elections. According to an editorial in the New York Times, “A few swing states take on oversized importance, leading the candidates to focus their attention, money and promises on a small slice of the electorate. We are hearing far more this year about the issue of storing harmful and hazardous waste at Yucca Mountain, an important one for Nevada’s 2.2 million residents, than about securing ports against terrorism, a vital concern for 19.2 million New Yorkers.” (New York Times, par. 4)
Small rural states under the current system also tend to have a lot more voting power than their bigger urban counterparts. As even an electoral college supporter would say, “..in 1988, for example, the combined voting age population (3,119,000) of the seven least populous jurisdiction of Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming carried the same voting strength in the Electoral College (21 Electoral votes) as the 9,614,000 persons of voting age in the State of Florida. Each Floridian’s potential vote, then, carried about one third the weight of a potential vote in the other States listed.” (Kimberling, par. 10)
Most arguments about preserving the system are idealistic and tend to promote an unwise presumption that the constitution the founding fathers wrote was perfect. The reasons brought against it, like its preservation of the two-party system, or the enhancement of minority interests and distribution of popular support fail to truly support it. For example, the Electoral College might entertain the minority interests of a few homogenous states, but fail to include a much larger minority from a bigger state.
The constitution already has the mechanism for federal rule, in the form of the United States Senate. There aren’t enough compelling reasons to keep even the selection of the executive branch tied into this system of popular control. If I had the chance to amend the constitution of the United States of America, I would abolish the Electoral College, and elect the president and vice-president with a nationwide popular vote.
R E F E R E N C E S
“Electoral College.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 13 May 2008. 14 May 2008.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College>
Kimberling, William C. “The Pro’s and Con’s of the Electoral College System.” Jackson
County, MO Election Board. 2003. 14 May 2008. < http://uselectionatlas.org/
INFORMATION/electcollege_procon.php>
New York Times. “MAKING VOTES COUNT; Abolish the Electoral College”. New
York Times. 29 August 2004. 14 May 2008. <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/full
page.html?res=9407E0D81E3EF93AA1575BC0A9629C8B63>
New Balance Athletic Shoe Co
Abstract
Swot analysis is a very important tool to measure the organization performance. This paper attempts to do a swot analysis for new balance company. The paper carry s the found strengths whereby in every strength there is an argument on how each strength may be fully utilized to maximize the company’s productivity.
Subsequently the paper takes into account each weakness and how it affects the organization, threats has also been examined and how to reduce their effects. The paper also contains the company external opportunities and how the benefit the company.
Finally the paper puts forward the strategies used by the company, to perform the way it performs. The company has been found to use innovation and creativity as its competitive strategy in its operation.
Introduction
New Balance Athletic Shoe Company is a privately owned company. Its headquarters are in Boston and Massachusetts. The company manufactures athletic shoes in various sizes. New balance is the fourth largest manufacturer of athletics shoes in the United States and fifth in the world.
The historical Background
The history of new balance can be traced back in 1906, which was known as new balance Arch Company. The company was founded by an English immigrant named William Riley. By then the company manufactured arch supports and also manufactured orthopedic shoes. In 1934, Riley entered into partnership with leading salesman Arthur hall who had found a ready market. By selling the shoes to policemen and other people whose jobs called for standing for long hours.
However, during these times the marketing was done through the world of mouth. There was no established system for marketing. During the 1930s, there were major developments in this company. New balance manufactured the first running spike. Partner Arthur hall sold the new balance company to his daughter and son in law Eleanor Paul and Paul Kidds in 1954. The continued to sell arch supports until 1961, when the manufactured the worlds first performance running shoes that were available in various widths to fit any client.
The shoes were called trackster, which became the mostly used choice of shoes for running by coaches and fitness director. This saw New Balance Company experience a substantial growth due to the growing reputation.
New Balance Company continued to experience rapid growth in 1975, Fleming won the New York City marathon in a pair of the new balance 320, and this played a major role in promoting the company’s public image. New Balance Company became a tough competitor in the athletic manufacturing shoes.
In 1978, Anne Davis wife joined the company and served as the vice president of administration she was very diligent on the operations of the company. She worked towards a superior work environment and organizational culture. This was a very important stage in the history of the company, due to her efforts the company was able to achieve a strong organizational culture and stable working conditions.
Despite the fact that new balance had always proudly manufactured their shoes in the US, In the 1980s the company expanded its operations to other markets in the Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, among other international destinations.
Swot Analysis
According to Murray (1998), each organization has its own Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities. However every organization should strive to use its Strengths and Opportunities to overcome the effects of threats and weaknesses. The following are the Strengths of the new balance Athletic shoe.
Sufficient Cash Flow: The Company has enjoyed a steady and a stable cash inflow which is mostly attributed to its established and well founded operations which has stood the test of time. This strength offers the company a competitive edge due to fact that most company’s collapse due to inadequacy in their cash flow.
As a result of having the adequate flow of money the company has been able to expand its scope of operations and also targeting more markets in the international arena.
Wide customer base: The Company has over the years enjoyed a great deal of customer loyalty all over the world. This is due to its consistence in production and its quality products. In addition, the company has been able to attract new customer in many countries across the world. This gives the company a competitive advantage in the sense that it is only through sales that an organization is able to reach the planned profitability.
Quality products: New balance Athletic Shoe Company produces high quality shoes that are comfortable and unique waved laces which are sold allover the world. The Quality products give the company a competitive advantage in that the company is in a position to attract and maintain the current customers due to the reliability of their product. The company is also able to fetch more profits from wide spread products as opposed to a single product.
Positive public image: The Company over the years has been able to build good reputation especially among its customers. A positive image has the ability to attract and maintain new customers. Which is desirable for every company as it offers grounds for improved relationships with the outside world. The public was fascinated by how the world sportsmen were able to win various competitions in the company trackster and 320s. For instance the case of Fleming really promoted the company’s name.
Among the market leaders in the world: New balance company is the fourth largest athletic manufacturing industry in the US and number five in the whole world. This gives the company a competitive advantage because it gives the notion to customers and potential customers that it has the quality products as compared to the competitors.
The company’s weaknesses
Discrimination: New Balance Company has shown a considerable amount of discrimination. This is especially to African countries by releasing few of its products to the African Countries. This is a weakness because this market may decide to back off and turn to the company’s competitors or local producers. However the company may still stop the discrimination to maintain African customers.
Old period of operations: The new balance company is more than a century old in the manufacture of athletics shoes. This has negative effects; young generation likes to associate themselves with the latest fashions in the market, which has made many youth turn away to new fashions in the market. The company should engage in serious re branding to give its product a new look.
Opportunities
Positive public image: The Company enjoys positive public image from the publics, which comes from sociological dimensions which gives the organization the chance to maximize its operations and exploit its resources as there is a ready market.
Technology: With improved global technology the company can take advantage of the technology to maximize its production and enhance the employee performance.
More unexploited markets: There are more Markets that are yet to be exploited which requires the company to exploit the market, the company should extend its operations to increase its productivity.
Threats
Some of the threats facing the company include, Competition: The Company is facing a lot of competition from other international company for instance Nike and also local producers. In various places in the world, some little known brands have overtaken the new balance Company. This might affect the sales turnover of the company.
Poverty from target Customers: New balance Company targets all the nations of the world whereby some especially from African country and Asia. These countries are languishing in poverty this affects their purchasing power which in effect leads to minimized sales turn over.
Strengths
Strengths are the internal aspects of the company that gives it a competitive edge in the industry, while weaknesses are the internal factors that will make a company falls out in the industry. On the other hand, opportunities are the external factors that favor the company to become more productive. Threats are those external factors that will endanger the profitability of the company.
The company’s mission
To exhibit leadership that is responsible and also building international brands that will make those who wear proud.
Goals
To comply to well defined philosophies
To focus on function over fashion
To nurture strong retail partnerships
Support grassroots initiatives
Competitive Strategies
The competitive strategy that the company uses is Innovation and Creativity. The company has been very innovative in its creation of new brands and also in their innovative performance. The company aims to have brand that is competitive in the international market.
Problems
Financial problems
To be highly innovative and creative a company should be ready to invest heavily to achieve flexibility and to become adoptable to the market. So the company is faced with the challenge of finances.
Alternatives
Encourage more innovation; this is because even if it is expensive it has return on investments
Remain static: Due to the following variables the company can decide to remain static and not to be adoptive.
Resources available are also a problem because the raw materials are not readily available.
Production capacity: This calls for constant change of the production facilities; which is not difficult.
HR limitations: This is because the human power is needed if there is gong to be effective Innovation and creativity.
Competition also poses a major challenge in their capability to overtake the company in its innovation.
Suppliers: There are supplier problems since are not supplying adequate materials.
However I still recommend for constant innovation, this is due to changes in the environment which dictates constant changes in the company’s. Despite the fact that innovation is expensive, the company has to continue with it.
Implementation
This recommendation will properly work especially if it is introduced by a competent management team. Innovation as a major factor into an organization success.
References
H Kent Bowen Et al (2006), New Balance Athletic shoe Massachusetts.
Michael Murray (1998), Strategic management, New York, University press.
John wakiwns (1980), New Balance Foundation, Chicago.
The Role Of Non Profit Sector In The Society
There has been a mixed reaction by the public on the exact roles played by non profit organizations in the society in terms of the contribution they make to the general public and also to other organization alike. Virginia A. Hodgkinson and Michael W. Foley in their book “The Civil Society Reader” seeks to enhance and enliven this debate through a series of studies that cut through time, cultures, and disciplines. This is as result of the complexity of the meaning of engaged citizenship that oscillates between home and family life and the non-profit enterprises and government agencies. This debate is indeed intriguing and compelling not only in the US but across the globe. This is due to citizens’ encounter with diverse political realignment, religious, fundamentalism, economic development, environmental change and other civil alignments.
The question of what role non-profit organizations (NPOs) play is indeed contextual in that, it is likely to provoke various answers depending on a particular individual’s position in the society. For instance people working from those organizations will give very different responses from those who do not work with the organizations.
This paper therefore will seek to conduct an independent and extensive interview with the main target group being the workers of these organizations. The purpose of the interview will be to unearth the role(s) if any played by these non profit civil society organizations. These interviews will target as many workers as it is practical however for the purpose of quality only four selected of them will be discussed in this paper.
The selected civil society company/ organization for this paper is, Health Distribution Management Association (HDMA) a trade organization that represents Pharmaceutical and Related Health Care Product Distributors through America. The size of this organization in terms of the geographical appeal it commands is fundamental in the study and hence the generalization of the roles played by non-profit organizations in the society. For instance this is an organization that caters for the welfare of all pharmaceutical and related health care product distributors all over America and therefore it stands a better position in terms of service provision to its members (society)
HDMA as quoted above is an example of non profit organization in the US that ensures that its member’s interests are catered for fully. These interests includes: the management of distribution channels, the war on counterfeits, bargaining for better terms of business, sustaining a good public figure of the pharmaceutical distributors, and also the general coordination of the entire pharmaceutical industry. HDMA is a large body with a large number of employees who mostly include professionals who offer the much needed expertise in the quest for the fulfillment of the above mentioned roles. The following HDMA staff members will be interviewed; Lisa Gallagher – director, member relations, Anita Duca – senior director, regulatory affairs, Brian Cherico – regulatory affairs and Kim Earie – vice president, member relations and meetings.
Out of the four named senior employees of HDMA Lisa Gallagher, the director member relation was very detailed in her views on the role of her organization in the society and the contribution it is making to society. She began her views from a layman’s point of view of the meaning of civil society to the complex, blurred, and negotiated relationship between civil society and the non profit organizations in the US. From her views the civil society is like an arena of unforced, collective actions that surrounds shared interests, purposes and values. Civil society when compared with the state, very little difference can be noted as practically they (civil society and state) are all comprised of the same institutional forms which only vary in their degree of formality and powers.
For instance civil societies are normally characterized by organizations such as; non governmental organizations, registered charities, women groups, community organization, professional organization, self help groups, business organizations, trade unions and many more others (what is civil society? Center for civil society, London school of economics, 2004)
From her views about on non profit organizations it was noted that many non profit civil society organization have been formed and continue to be formed by people whose agendas are diverse. For instance community groups and trade unions are the most active civil society organization that commands huge membership. The core business of these organizations is always to safeguard the civil rights of the members. However from her views as the organizations grow big by day, under the management of the few appointed professionals they tend to digress from their core business. This she noted was as a result of political, socio-economic and religious alignments that affect the organization in their quest for fair and better representation of the members civil rights.
However she was upbeat in the positive contribution her organization (HDMA) and others alike make to the civilians and the society at large. From the definition part of the civil society it is clear that common interests dictate the formation of institutions e.g. HBDA. These institutions/ organizations play a vital role in the perpetuation of democracy. It should therefore be noted that the political element of many of these organization is what enables the society to get informed about matters that concerns them as citizens of a given country. This awareness puts the society in a better position in terms of making informed voting decisions, participating in politics and therefore making the government more accountable in its practices. Again these organizations help to build social trust and shared values which are transferred into the political arena and therefore help to make the society remain firm, as an understanding is built on interconnection of interests within the society (Robert D.Putman, 1993)
She summed up her arguments on democracy and non profit organizations by clarifying that civil society have always and continue to hold and disseminate political powers in democracy building and awareness despite them being low key players. It is from these views that make these organizations to be promoting nationality and nationalism in a more democratic way (Pollock, 2001).
Anita Duca, senior director regulatory affairs contributed her views on the role of her organization (HDMA) in the American society. She seemed a bit more informed in her approach to the matter and she had a different idea which seemed to be weightier and covering the other smaller roles her organization played. Globalization she defined as, the provision of contact between the local society, and the rest of the world (Mann, Michael 1984). This she supported by saying that the society get financial and ideological support from HBDA and other non profit organizations alike to grow and expand both horizontally and vertically (united nations partners in civil society).
Globalization can be viewed as a social phenomenon that helps to incorporate liberal ideas into the society and therefore make the society more informed and in touch with the issues, which concerns it. Here globalization seems to bring out a clear distinction between non profit organizations and other politically derived institutions of the state. She quoted her institution efforts in helping to bring together the key markets players of the pharmaceutical and health related products distributors industry. This helps these distributors to gain national and global platform in the expanding the pharmaceuticals distribution net work. Although these distributors pay for the services rendered by HDMA, its role on globalization remains paramount in the society.
Kim Earie, the vice president, member relations and meetings, a position in the organization that deals with the general coordination between members and the organization. In his views collected during a general meeting of the members it was deduced that HDMA plays the role of fighting against social exclusion. He was much categorical by giving out various dimensions of social exclusion that the contemporary society faces. This he quoted examples of the impacts of capitalism as a system of governance that has many benefits at the expense of smaller important issues facing the civil society. The role here when stated in simple terms, is giving all the members of the society a platform to express themselves socially in a world of cut throat competition. HDMA for instance gives this opportunity to various members who represent the whole civil society in the US. The society through HDMA makes it known to the government its socials needs, and its current feelings towards the government activities (role of NPO in combating social exclusion)
This one-on-one interview with the vice president of HDMA on members’ relations and meetings was regarded as most reliable as it was conducted during one of the organizations general meeting that brings together all its members, the members present also supported this view. They indeed confirmed that they represented the local communities, of their company’s place of operation and therefore HDMA through them made sure that those communities renamed socially active and informed.
Brian Cherico had a more far reaching idea on HDMA and other non-profit organizations roles in the society. He seemed tied to the history of civil society as put forth by numerous scholars like Karl max, Hegel, Gramsci and others. He referred to NPOs as the key terrain of strategic action to construct alternatives in social and political aspects of the society. NPOs are therefore the vehicles for challenging the existing values and indicating new ones in the counter – hegemonic struggle against capitalism (Edwards, 2004). However he added that this role is not only reserved for NPOs but also the other social organizations and even political parties alike (Alagappa 2004). He generalized his views and incorporated the role of defending the society against the state and market, and therefore formulating democratic measures to put the state under scrutiny. He clarified on the issue of fighting capitalism, as not meaning waging wars against its perpetuation but putting in place measures and practices to neutralize some of its practices that seem to sideline the trivial but important issues of the local societies.
These interviews all taken and conducted on a anonymous basis in order to do away with the fear of getting victimized for giving out company secrets, this led to sincere responses from the respondents. Further, they were conducted from a personal point approach with assurances made prior that the views will not be taken as the general views on HDMA but just an individual views on HDMA and other NPOs in general. Hence, they gave a clear picture on the real roles played by HDMA and other NPOs alike in the society.
In a quick overview of the respondents’ views, it is clear that NPOs do play far many roles in the society which range from social, political, economic and also religious in nature. When summoned up HDMA roles in the society are all linked to the general principles of civil society as stipulated in “The Civil Society Reader” by Virginia Hedgkinson and Michael Foley. It should also be noted that NPOs have quite a number of shortcomings that sometimes taint their good reputation in the society.
Work cited:
I) the Civil Society Reader, by Virginia Hedgkinson and Michael Foley, ISBN-13: 978-1584652786
ii) What is civil society? Center for civil society, London school of economics, 2004, available at;
http://www.ise.ac.ak/collections/CCS/what_as_civil_society.htm, accessed on Octobers 8, 2008
iii) Robert D.Putman, Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy; 1993; Princeton.
iv) Pollock, Graham. ‘Civil society Theory and Euro-Nationalism’, Studies In Social & Political Thought, Issue 4, March 2001, pp. 31-56 2001
v) United Nations partners in civil society, available at;
http://www.un.org/partners/civil_society/home.htm, accessed on Octobers 8, 2008
vi) Role of NPO in combating social exclusion, available at;
http://go.worldbank.org/RY11L5XTQ0, accessed on Octobers 8, 2008.
vii) Edwards, Michael, Civil society. Cambridge, England: Polity Press, 2004. ISBN 0-7456-3133-9.
Viii) Alagappa, Muthiah, Civil society and Political Change in Asia. Stand ford University Press, 2004. ISBN 0-8047-5097-1
2004
ix) Mann, Michael; 1984; The Autonomous Power of The State: Its Origins, Mechanisms and Results; European Journal of Sociology 25: pp185-213