Suicide-related research is important to be conducted in the area of forensic psychology to determine the risks associated with suicidal behaviors in patients with mental disabilities. Thus, suicide-related research is significant to provide the grounds for developing the prevention strategies by specialists working in clinical settings (Stangor, 2013, p. 138). From this point, to identify the approaches and strategies that can be appropriate for the use by forensic psychology professionals to prevent suicides, it is necessary to review the relevant research in the field and analyze it with the focus on the factor of applicability.
In their research, Becker, Brown, Ochshorn, and Diamond studied the rates and causes of suicides among Florida Medicaid enrollees who also had the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The researchers focused on reviewing the Florida Medicaid files to study the demographic and diagnostic information related to persons who committed suicides in 2002 and on reviewing the information on hospitalization. As a result, according to the lists in the Florida Medicaid files, 261 persons committed suicides in 2002, and the researchers also focused on determining the participants of the control group to compare and support the results of the study (Becker, Brown, Ochshorn, & Diamond, 2009, p. 173). The collected demographic and diagnostic data were analyzed with the help of the logistic regression analyses to determine the factors that could be discussed as predictors of suicides in Florida Medicaid enrollees with the SSI.
As a result of the study, it was found that the involuntary psychiatric examination, use of physical health medications, participation in high mental health service, and mental health hospitalization are the main factors to predict suicides among the determined population (Becker et al., 2009, p. 176). The researchers proposed to decrease psychiatric examinations that are involuntary and reduce the number of psychiatric hospitalizations as well as to improve risk assessment strategies and approaches to providing physical health medications.
The results of the research by Becker et al. (2009) can be discussed as applicable to clinical forensic settings in terms of using proposed methods and strategies to contribute to reductions of suicide rates in a clinical forensic setting. In this context, a forensic psychology professional can refer to the methods of the research while planning the suicide-related research in any forensic field to support certain hypotheses. While referring to the practice, it is possible to apply the results of the study while concluding about the involuntary psychiatric hospitalization and involuntary psychiatric examinations of patients. A forensic psychology professional can focus on choosing the most effective risk assessment method and consider the impact of involuntary examination and involuntary hospitalization on the patients’ suicidal behaviors (Crighton & Towl, 2015, p. 54). The research by Becker et al. (2009) is important to accentuate the role of ineffective assessments on risks of suicides and further decisions to affect the behavior of impoverished and persons with mental disabilities. In this context, while working with impoverished and mentally ill persons, a forensic psychology professional should choose the most effective risk assessment strategies and make supported decisions on involuntary examination and involuntary hospitalization because of the possible risk of suicide in these patients.
From this point, the discussed research article provides important information on risks associated with suicidal behaviors among impoverished persons and persons with mental disabilities who can be exposed to voluntary psychiatric evaluation, involuntary psychiatric evaluation, and suicide risk evaluation.
References
Becker, M., Brown, L., Ochshorn, E., & Diamond, R. (2009). Risk for suicide among Medicaid beneficiaries. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 39(2), 172-181.
Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2015). Forensic psychology. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Stangor, C. (2013). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Yogurtland And Micromax: Marketing Strategy
Yogurtland strategy
Yogurtland is a chain of cafes and restaurants where people can buy frozen yogurt. Yogurtland operates in the United States of America mostly; however, it has several international branches which are a part of global franchise. The major features of the brand are self-service and a big number of different tastes. Yogurtland plans to expand even more in the future. Franchising is an effective model of business for this type of organization; nonetheless, it is necessary to consider what strategies are suitable for the company on an international market.
The core element of Yogurtland is its frozen yogurt. Even though many companies also sell it, Yogurtland is able to provide a variety of tastes and different menus which are attractive to the customers and relatively cheap, especially when compared to prices of the competitors (Delevingne, 2013). However, people across the globe have various preferences when it comes to a specific taste. What is popular in Los Angeles might be hated elsewhere. In order to maintain success, Yogurtland should adopt product localization, instead of product standardization, particularly in foreign countries (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). The taste of the products is vital for company’s success, as people will not purchase frozen yogurts they do not like.
Product localization (or product adaptation) refers to a strategy when the company changes the product according to the needs of a specific location. The features of the product remain the same, while there are some changes which are more traditional or habitual for customers abroad (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). For instance, Yogurtland has to provide different sets of tastes in the US and in the United Arab Emirates. The same concept should be applied in countries, where company will enter the market and expand its business (“The Global Marketplace”, 2014). Localization helps to understand preferences of people better and provide the product which is beneficial and popular among foreign customers.
Apart from that, product localization helps in adjusting the product in accordance with the legal requirements which exist in the country. For example, a specific component is banned in a group of countries, while it is legal elsewhere. In order to be eligible to sell the product, the company has to localize the product; otherwise, it will not be able to enter the market (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). In some instances, the name of the product might be associated with something negative and with localization, the company can modify the brand and its logo, avoiding many risks and potential failures (Jeyarathmm, 2008). There are also might be religious and ethical norms which can influence the popularity of the product, and localization considers unique features of the market to adapt and sell the products.
The company should also aim at multi-domestic strategy to sell and promote the products. A centralized system is not effective within the organization such as Yogurtland. It heavily relies on franchising and independent decisions which do not relate to the brand’s image (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). Multi-domestic strategy helps to create and sustain a decentralized system of business operations. International branches can operate on their own unless it contradicts the values of Yogurtland or its quality of service (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). For instance, this strategy helps to understand the local needs and target audience in the country. For a big business as Yogurtland, centralized structure will mean constant delays and lack of timely decisions. The branches can make their own decisions without the approval from the main office; hence, it will save time and increase independence within the company.
Micromax Strategy
Micromax Informatics is an Indian company which specializes in manufacturing cheap mobile phones. The company faces severe competition in India and the rest of Asia since there are lots of powerful brands, such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Samsung. Company plans to expand its business in Eastern and Central Europe. One of the first steps for Micromax is to enter the Russian market of mobile phones (Anwer, 2014). The major problem is serious competition and the domination of popular brands on the market; however, the current state of the company shows it is able to succeed in its niche market of low-budget electronics.
The company focuses on the production of cheap mobile phones, which is a very popular trend in India. The prices of modern smartphones can reach up to $1,000 or even more, depending on technical features (“Micromax: Cheap and best”, 2014). It is a significant sum of money, and not everyone can buy a gadget for this price. Instead of using expensive and luxurious phones, people tend to buy low-budget ones, which can be easily replaced and have almost the same high quality of flagman phones. Therefore, the main value of Micromax products is its cheapness and high quality in a segment of low-priced phones. For the company it is necessary to preserve this policy, as well as its price range. Price and quality are two primary reasons why people buy Micromax phones.
In order to expand, the company has to apply product standardization with the elements of adaptation. The phones should remain untouched in terms of technical characteristics as they are the same in every country (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). The size of a display is the same, shape of the phone remains the same. Hence, to maintain the low price of the phones and their availability, Micromax should use standardization. The same phones prove to be replaceable, cheap, and popular among people. Taking into account that for Russian customers expensive phones for $1,000 are too expensive, Micromax’s low-budget policy has to attract a lot of people. Additionally, the standardization saves resources for the company because the product is ready for the foreign market (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). However, standardization has to consider certain elements of adaptation.
For instance, the company has to consider that in Russia and Europe, people have to use phones with localized software, supporting their native language. Hence, the gadgets should include Russian and English languages for the interface; otherwise, people will not be able to use them. Micromax should also consider the names of the phones (“Micromax: Cheap and best”, 2014). Certain titles of the devices and different models should be easy to understand and memorize, such as iPhone X, instead of a long name. It can help to attract people and make the lines of the smartphones more interesting for the customers.
Apart from that, the company has to use a global strategy as its primary method to achieve success. The global strategy helps to support product standardization. The strategy also increases the activity of foreign branches within the context of entire organization (Carpenter & Dunung, 2012). A centralized structure maintains order and cooperation with the main office. The offices cannot make independent decisions without the approval from HQ. However, it helps to avoid mistakes and creates organic hierarchy which effectively functions. At the same time, the global strategy helps to develop a single system of values and principles which can reduce potential risks of foreign offices.
References
Anwer, J. (2014). Micromax to Foray into Russia, Sell Phones, Tablets (Hardware). Web.
Carpenter, M., & Dunung, S. (2012). International Business. Flatworld Knowledge.
Delevingne, L. (2013). A look inside why private equity loves ‘FroYo’. Web.
Jeyarathmm, M. (2008). Strategic Management. Mumbai, India: Himalaya Publishing House.
Micromax: Cheap and best. (2014). Web.
The Global Marketplace. (2014). Web.
Synthesis Of Ideas From Essays By Tan And Rodriguez
It is commonplace that foreign students face numerous challenges whenever they take up a different language. In America, for example, all learning takes place in English, and foreign students are expected to adapt quickly. Consequently, theories exist concerning the suitability of this requirement, with scholars presenting their views for or against the same. As a result, this paper studies common views and divergent opinions on the topic as presented by Amy Tan and Richard Rodriguez concerning this topic.
Both authors agree on the fact that students experience drastic changes in their life, which often pushes them to adopt this choice. Foremost, resistance to change often limits the options available to a person in their new society. Inferiority complex habitually affects these people thereby curbing their creativity and participation levels in school and societal ventures. As a result, confidence levels remain diminished, making persons miserable. This is because they view themselves as unworthy misfits and outsiders in their environment.
They also note a lack of regret for their choice to adopt English. This is accurate since they both acknowledge that their present achievements would be impossible if they stuck to their native language. They do not cite any objections, logical arguments, or studies against the adoption of a new language. Both writers have become better persons after they accepted English as a medium of communication since it enabled them to earn recognition in society and live their lives comfortably, without any interference or inconvenience. It is noteworthy that these common areas do not imply the absence of a difference in opinion by the two writers. These variations dominate subsequent paragraphs.
Amy Tan
Tan argues that persons should not lose touch with their native language entirely. This is because it incorporates a different dimension to their conversations, most of which are overlooked when using English. Native speakers can convey passion, rhythm, imagery, and intent in a manner different from English speakers. This phenomenon mostly affects persons who have adopted English as a second language. This makes communication a nightmare for these persons during the communication process.
She also argues that the mother tongue affects the quality of English spoken by these persons. This is because of the glaring differences between the two languages. For example, sentence structures, logic, and flow of ideas vary between different languages. This implies that persons have to conceive ideas in their native language before translating them to English. This is a great inconvenience since the original meaning and intent of a person are often lost in the process. She further cites her experience with English exams during her school life, where she could not respond to a simple logical question but had to think extensively before providing a straightforward answer.
In addition, most students are discouraged from majoring in foreign languages by their teachers. This implies the need for dedication and commitment to studying the language by the student to achieve success. Sadly, most of them lack this attribute. A case of Asian students studying in America appears, mentioning the fact that most of them excel in sciences, math, and other subjects based on logic. She argues that most students score less in English as opposed to the other subjects. Consequently, their teachers encourage them to major in these other options instead of English.
Most importantly, Tan argues that striking a balance is integral for every person who intends to communicate successfully in a foreign setting. To achieve this, persons need to focus on the essence of the message they intend to convey. This is because a person’s message often disappears whenever one factors in structure and other complexities of language when relaying a message. Summarily, she argues against entire assimilation and advocates for the retention of cultural identity.
Richard Rodriguez
Richard argues for the complete assimilation of persons into their new cultures. This is because sacrifice constitutes an important aspect of the study process. This implies that a person gains a new identity only after giving up his or her previous identity. This implies that a person has a private and public individuality, which cannot co-exist. It so happens, because private individuality highlights a person’s distinctiveness from the multitudes. Persistence in this attitude is causes withdrawals since distinctions appear explicitly. As a result, public individuality is encouraged by this writer. This implies the extent of similarity between a person and the masses. He notes that greater similarity increases confidence levels in a person since he or she identifies better with the group. This implies better participation and expression of ideas, hence the usefulness of the individual.
He contends that sacrifices are an important part of the process. To support this, he cites a case of his family, which had to forego the family warmth and joyful conversations to become accomplished English speakers. While acknowledging the fact that Spanish still arouses certain emotions in him, he informs that his choice to become bi-lingual was the best he ever made since it afforded him countless opportunities in life. It also enabled him to appreciate his American citizenship and opened a new chapter to their family life.
In conclusion, it is impressive that both writers have common ground as regards several concepts of the topic. The most notable among these is the need for numerous sacrifices and the difficulty experienced by new students. It is noteworthy that these experiences may vary greatly, some changing the lifestyle of an entire family. This underlines the need for unconditional support and understanding when dealing with these persons. The support should come from all quarters, including parents, teachers, and fellow students.