Theory and Philosophy of Nurse Practitioner Term Paper

Hunters in the Snow Essay

Kinship. I don't get it's meaning? I accept that companionship implies that you’re there for an individual regardless and in the event that they are out of luck, at that point you would successfully get them out. Trackers in the Snow doesn’t precisely characterize kinship. On the off chance that anything it characterizes disloyalty. All through this short story a portion of the characters do activities to their â€Å"friend.† Betrayal and faithfulness is somewhat the subject all through the story and it makes an individual consider who their genuine companions are. In Hunters in the Snow, Kenny, Tub, and Frank are completely expected to be companions, however through a couple arrangement of occasions make an individual miracle what precisely fellowship intends to them. Every single one of the characters has certain qualities that can lead them to double-cross them. Towards the finish of the story, the peruser begins to feel frustrated about Kenny after Tub and Frank leave him in the rear of the pickup while they go eat hotcakes, at that point Frank and Tub â€Å"accidentally† make an off-base turn so they couldn’t get Kenny to medical clinic in time in the wake of being shot. Absence of devotion additionally prompts disloyalty in this short story. Initially, Tub and Kenny were entirely old buddies, however towards the end, Kenny is nearly the outsider when Tub and Frank simply leave him in the rear of the truck injured while they stop and eat. Selling out and dedication is a key trademark that is depicted in Hunters in the Snow. In the wake of perusing this short story it truly makes on individual consider the attributes they search for in their companions. All through this short story it was entirely clear that every one of the three of the fundamental characters need qualities of being an old buddy, however they are largely truly adept at manipulating their â€Å"friends†.

Find Your Voice with The Insecure Writers Support Group

Find Your Voice with The Insecure Writers Support Group Does a blank page leave you feeling intimidated, queasy or ready to pull your hair out? If you said yes then chances are good that you are a writer. Now, provided that the image of a blank page didnt send you crawling back to the trenches ready to wave your white flag of surrender, give us a chance to make amends for the trauma we just put you through by directing your attention to an online media business that understands your plight, understands your stress levels, understands that blank-page phobia and ultimately understands how to get past all that to make you a more productive writer. Dont believe us? Then check out the Insecure Writers Support Group for yourself.From the moment you enter the support groups homepage youll be welcomed by the image of a bright hopeful beacon of light. Perhaps its calling you in the right direction or perhaps its just calling you to East Egg (for all your Hemingway-philes out there; even though were pretty sure its the former); either way, the imag e is a comfort for all those tired, weary writers looking for respite. Well, youve found it, so hang your hat and pour yourself a glass of Writers Tears whiskey if you need to and then let this community of writers welcome you with open arms. Think of it as group therapy meets motivational coaching.I just poured my first glass…tell me moreThe Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) is the brainchild of sci-fi writer Alex Cavanaugh, who discovered that there was a sea of doubting writers turning to the Internet to share their concerns, hang-ups and tales of book-writing woe; fortunately, for a lot of these writers, their self-doubts were met with positivity, reassurance and helpful advice from other writers (a benefit that wasnt lost on Alex). From this discovery, IWSG was born. Since its inception in 2011, IWSG has more than 3,000 Facebook members, 600+ newsletter subscribers and about 250 active bloggers.Whats great is that IWSG can benefit all writers, no matter where they might b e in their career. You could be a bestselling writer or you could just have discovered that youre a natural-born writer (lucky you!) and youll find writers on the site that can help you tackle your unique challenges. So, put away that bottle of Writers Tears and lets delve into the many facets of being a member of IWSG.Not just writer-friendly but also user-friendlyWere all about getting information quickly nowadays and we want a site thats able to provide us what we need when we need it. Okay, that might sound a bit greedy but lets be honest; no one has time to fall down the proverbial rabbit hole and spend precious time searching for the necessary information when that time could be better spent writing. Lets just say that IWSG understands this.At the top of the support groups homepage, simple, straightforward headers direct you to the topic that is most helpful to you based on your current stage in the writing process. Are you interested in self-publishing? Theres a tab for that. Ready to find an agent to shop your new book? Theres a tab for that. Need some writing tips to help you jump that writers block hurdle? Okay, you get the point (and, in case you didnt, there is also a tab for that). Theres a reason IWSG has received best writing websites awards from both Writers Digest and The Write Life. After all, this online support system brings together a common issue that a lot of writers face and provides a simple, easy-to-use platform to help you conquer those issues.A wellspring of writing resourcesOkay, lets get to the good stuff: writing resources. After all, this is why you want to join this support group, right? All you have to do is click the tab Writing Tips and youll be directed to an exhausting list of resources and advice on a variety of subjects:1st 5 Pages Writing Workshop (for young adult writers)Advanced Fiction WritingThe Adventurous WriterAlmost a WriterThe Book DesignerCreativity Portal (for everything from greeting cards to screenplays)Dai ly Writing TipsFree Writing EventsFunds for WritersGrammar SlammerGoogle TrendsGrammarphobia (because grammar shouldnt be scary)Helping Writers Become AuthorsHorror Writers AssociationHow to Write a Book NowInternet ResourcesKidLit (for authors writing young adult works)Make a Living WritingMen with Pens (its the new men in tights but wordier)Moody WritingThe Novel FactoryOne Stop for WritersRomance UniversityScreenwritingWriting and IllustratingWriting and WellnessYA HighwayAnd this list is just scratching the surface of some of the writing resources youll find on their site, carefully curated by the administrative team at IWSG. All you have to do is click the links that apply to you (sounds pretty easy, right? Hint: it is).Among these resources, youll also find links to advice from specific writers. More than likely youll find a writer on this list that best aligns with your style or could help you navigate those choppy writing waters. So, instead of spending your time trying to h unt down the online writing resources you need to get started, IWSG did it for you.Need a sounding board for your writing stressors? Fuggedaboutit. The first Wednesday of every Monday its time to sound the alarm and post your innermost fears and concerns on your own blog and watch as the proverbial cheering squad appears to give you the pep talk you need to own that blank page (just dont forget to leave a little love for the other doubtful writers out there before you show that blank page whos boss).To self-publish or not to self-publish?At some point in a writers life, that will most certainly be the question. Perhaps your novel, short story or poetry is already ready to grace the world with its presence, but you are currently standing at a publishing fork in the road. If so, IWSG offers a section for Self-Publishing and also one for Publishers, Agents, Queries to help you choose the path that best suits your needs. Self-publishers will find extensive information on everything from book formatting to finding an editor or book printer.If you choose to turn to a publisher or agent to help you peddle your literary wares, IWSG offers an extensive list of both large and small publishers, as well as publishers that cater to your specific demographic or style such as romance novels or childrens stories. Youll even find samples of professional query letters to submit to publishers and agents to help get those creative juices flowing once more so that you can write a successful query for your manuscript.Know how to market yourselfYouve spent all of your time and energy into creating your potential bestseller but how the heck is anyone going to know to read it? All you have to do is go on Amazon or Goodreads and its easy to get lost amongst the 600,000 to 1 million new books published each year just in the US alone. How do you go from zero to one in a million? Simple: good marketing. Okay, maybe good marketing isnt that simple, but dont worry; IWSG has your back with r esources such as:Author Marketing ExpertsBiblioCrunch (for all those self-publishers out there)Book CoachingBook Marketing Book PromotionBoost Blog TrafficDigital Book WorldKiller Book MarketingPublishers WeeklySavvy Writers e-Books OnlineSelf-Publishing ReviewSocial Media ExaminerThe Book DesignerThe Non-Fiction ZoneThe Publicity HoundWhere Writers WinWrite to Sell Your BookWriters BoonAgain, IWSG is a one-stop online writing shop from which to snag some new and helpful industry tips for how to market everything from your personal blog to your first novel. Youll even find a link to online courses for social media and email marketing strategies (lets boost that blog traffic, yo!). Enjoy a plethora of expert tips and guidance to help make navigating the world of marketing a whole lot simpler.Hone your skillsDo you feel like your writing could use a little spruce or inspiration? When you hop onto the IWSG website youll find a laundry list of conferences, conventions, workshops and r etreats from all over the world that will help you dust off your writing chops and even soup them up a bit (its the Pimp My Ride of writing skills), no matter if your passion is to become the next Madeleine LEngle of young adult books or to write crime fiction à la James Ellroy.Still hungry for more?If so, all you Hungry, Hungry Caterpillars can sink your teeth into The Insecure Writers Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond. As you can glean from the title, the guide can help you with everything from brainstorming your next book idea to publishing and marketing it appropriately. Better yet? These comforting anecdotes and practical tips come from actual members of IWSG whove also been in your shoes.Even writers need a little support (or perhaps even a little schadenfreude on a bad day) and it seems like IWSG is ready to dish it out in spades, along with a generous helping of professional advice and tips of the trade learned by others who once sat down and pulled their hair ou t over a blank page. Its time to turn on your writing prowess and turn off that Netflix. We know that story wont write itself, but with the Insecure Writers Support Group, it certainly got a whole lot easier.

Importance of External Auditors - 1110 Words

The aim of this essay is to study the function of external auditors in order to analyze why it is important to be independent. The primary mission of external auditors is to review and evaluate all the financial records of a company or corporation. They provide an objective opinion on the organization’s financial statement and effectiveness of the accounting polices in order to help management to make decisions. If the independence of the external auditors is impaired, the public will doubt the quality of professional auditing services, and the consequence would be very serious, just like the bankruptcy of Enron led to the disorganization of Arthur Andersen, once a giant accounting company in the world. In order to maintain and increase†¦show more content†¦If the external auditors cannot maintain their independence in their service, the clients will lose their interests in the auditing service, and the external auditors will lose their source of revenue. The lack of independence for external auditors will lead to the neglect of auditing risks (William R.K., 2003), which are the main reasons for the failure of certified accountants and professional accounting organizations. The consequence of the external auditors deprived of independence would be very serious. And there are many cases, which aroused by the failure of external auditors and most are related to the lack of independence. One famous example is the bankruptcy of Enron and the role played by its external auditor, Arthur Andersen (Todd, S., 2003). Arthur Andersen was once one of the biggest accounting companies in the world, and was canceled for the involvement in the Enron bankruptcy scandal. Arthur Andersen supplied external auditing service to Enron since 1980s, internal auditing since 1990s. The long-term cooperation between Arthur Andersen and Enron blurred the lines between external auditor and the company under auditing. Many accountants of Enron were ex-employees of Arthur Andersen. The close relation between the Arthur Andersen and Enron led to theShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of External Auditor’s Independence Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesThe Importance of External Auditor’s Independence According to Gillespie, Lewis and Hamilton (2004:221) an audit is: â€Å"a scrutiny of the accounts by a qualified auditor who carries out checks on the figures so as to establish whether the accounts show a true and fair view of the results and the financial position of the entity.† According to Wikipedia (2011a), auditor independence refers to â€Å"an attitude of mind characterized by integrity and an objective approach to the audit process†. IndependentRead MoreWhy Is It Important for External Auditors to Be Independent? Relate Your Answer to the Primary Role of External Auditors. Give Examples of Specific Ways the Lack of Auditor Independence May Impact Adversely on an Audit.1648 Words   |  7 PagesLent Term: Individual Coursework Essay Topic: Why is it important for external auditors to be independent? Relate your answer to the primary role of external auditors. Give examples of specific ways the lack of auditor independence may impact adversely on an audit. In 2001, there was an event that had shaken the whole business world. The crash of Enron in US, followed by worldwide collapse of its auditor, Arthur Andersen. It was a greatest corporate failure uncovered in businessRead MoreWhy is it important for the external auditor to be independent?1495 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Why is it important for external auditor to be independent? Throughout the years, banks, shareholders, possible investors and creditors always relied on the financial statements produced by a company. Since the management of a company is producing these documents it has been assumed that the managers may act dishonestly so that their performance looks better. To monitor the company’s performance better the directors along with the shareholders employ external auditors to check all these financialRead MoreThe Role Of External Auditors On Public Financial Statements1446 Words   |  6 PagesExternal auditors play important roles in delivering credibility of public financial statements to stakeholders outside of the audited firms (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, 2008). Published financial statements can be used by stakeholders as a basis for evaluating the financial position of firms, analyzing the performance of management, or making investment decisions (International Organization of Securities Commissions, 2002). Published financial statements will also be usedRead MoreThe Importance Of Auditor Independence On An Audit1473 Words   |  6 Pages Why is it important for external auditors to be independent? Relate your answer to the primary role of external auditors. Give examples of specific ways the lack of auditor independence may impact adversely on an audit. Auditing is one of the most essential processes that has to be executed in the business world. It involves independent testing on the documents of a business to establish the financial statements are prepared without any material misstatements and maintained as the law requiresRead MoreIndependence of External Auditor1203 Words   |  5 PagesIndependence of external auditor By:- shubham kanchhal Auditor independence  refers to the independence  of the auditor  from parties that may have a financial interest in business being audited. Independence requires integrity  and an objective approach  for the audit process. This concept requires the auditor  to carry his work freely and in an objective manner. The purpose of an audit to enhance the credibilityRead MoreWhy Is It Important for External Auditors to Be Independent? Relate Your Answer to the Primary Role of External Auditors. Give Examples of Specific Ways the Lack of Auditor Independence May Impact Adversely on an Audit.1638 Words   |  7 PagesIndividual Coursework Essay Topic: Why is it important for external auditors to be independent? Relate your answer to the primary role of external auditors. Give examples of specific ways the lack of auditor independence may impact adversely on an audit. In 2001, there was an event that had shaken the whole business world. The crash of Enron in US, followed by worldwide collapse of its auditor, Arthur Andersen. It was a greatest corporate failure uncovered inRead MoreThe Responsibility of the External Auditor and the Management of the Entity Being Audited with Relation Fraud and Error.1575 Words   |  7 PagesThe responsibility of the external auditor and the management of the entity being audited with relation fraud and error. 1.Introduction Fraud is defined as something that is intended to deceive people and error is defined as something unintentionally done wrong, e.g. as a result of poor judgment or lack of care by Encarta English Dictionary. After the collapse of great companies like Enron, and World com to mention a few, it has raised eyebrows the involvement of auditors in these failed companiesRead MoreDoes skepticism by the auditor would enhance audit quality1435 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The importance off skepticism in performing audits has been recognized from the time the very first auditing standard was implemented (Fullerton and Durtschi, 2012). The recent financial crises and audit failures have caused the profession to reassess and emphasise the importance of skepticism during an audit engagement, ensuring that auditors increase their level of skepticism (Fullerton and Durtschi, 2012). Auditors are now asked to expand their skeptical perspective to the levelRead MoreAuditing as a profession as evolved drastically over decades and as time has passed auditing1000 Words   |  4 PagesInstitute of Internal Auditors define internal auditing as ‘†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisations operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governan ce processes.’ (Institute of Internal Auditors, 2013) Through this definition it can be explained why auditors can be seen as the ‘eyes

History of the Dallas Cowboys Essay example - 1539 Words

Clint Murchison, Jr. and Bedford Wynne were awarded a National Football League (NFL) expansion franchise on January 28, 1960, located in Dallas, TX. At the annual meeting, they purchased the team for $600,000 (Bohls 1). They were given the status of a â€Å"swing team† meaning that they would play every other team in the league their first season of play. They were displaced in the Western Division Standings. Murchison’s and Wynne’s next moved was to high their front office personnel which were: Tex Schramm (General Manager), Gil Brandt (Director of Player Personnel), and Tom Landry as Head Coach. In the beginning there were called the Dallas Steers, then after a couple of weeks the name was changed and there were called the Dallas Rangers.†¦show more content†¦In 1966, a tradition was born as the first Thanksgiving Day was played, with is a ritual now that the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving (Dallas Cowboys 3). The first game was played and won against t he Cleveland Browns (26-14). This win put Dallas in the driver’s seat for playoff positioning for the first time in franchise history. Dallas went on to finish the year with a record of 10-3-1, the Eastern Conference Championship, and first post-season action. They would eventually lose in the Playoff Bowl on January 9, 1967 to the Baltimore Colts (Fleming 1). In 1967, they Cowboys put together back-to-back winning seasons, and earned the Capitol Division title (Fleming 1). This season the Cowboys won their first playoff game, but eventually lost to the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won the NFL title game with a score of 21-17, which is now classically known as the â€Å"Ice Bowl† (Prinalgin 1). The next couple of season ended in disappointment as the Cowboys made the playoffs but were embarrassed in 1968 and 1969. There was a shining light in 1969 when quarterback Roger Staubach returned from his military assignment--he had been drafted in 1964. The quarterback initially had to split playing time with the incumbent quarterback Craig Morton (Fleming 2). In 1970, the Dallas Cowboys started off the season sluggish, with a record of 5-4 midway through the season. The Cowboys won the final five games, won the NFC East title andShow MoreRelatedCowboys842 Words   |  4 PagesThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). They are based in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas. The team currently plays their home games at Texas Stadium in Irving, but they are scheduled to move to a new stadium in nearby Arlington in 2009.[1] The Cowboys joined the NFL as a 1960 expansion team.[2] The teams national following might best be represented by its NFL record ofRead MoreA History of the ATT Stadium1730 Words   |  7 PagesThe Dallas Cowboys, America’s football team, one of the most well known professional football franchises in the sport’s history. The Cowboys own five super bowl titles, which were won in ’ 71, ’77, ’92, ’93 and ’95. They are also home to 19 renowned individuals who have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame including standout football stars Tony Dorsett, Emmit Smith, and Troy Aikman. Established in 1960, the Cowboys have been a dominating force on the field and still continue to produce to thisRead MoreTom Landry1138 Words   |  5 PagesNew York Giants (cemetery.state). He was not the only historical coach in the New York Giants program at the time. He coached alongside Vince Lombardi. â€Å"The tandem of Landry and Lombardi stands as the greatest assistant-coaching partnership in the history of the NFL† (Whittingham 84). In 1956, Landry decided to stop playing football, and hang it up for other opportunities. This would be coaching full time.†In 1956, [Landry] became the Giants’ full-time defensive coach.† (Moritz 270). During this timeRead MoreU.s. Olympic Committee, The Indianapolis Cowboys, And The Colonial Pga Tournament983 Words   |  4 Pagesinitiate, renew or terminate. The four options are NASCAR, U.S. Olympic Committee, the Dallas Cowboys, and The Colonial PGA Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas. Based on the strict criteria for the bank’s sports sponsorship â€Å"return on investment†, executives made their decision: (1) start a new relationship with NASCAR as its official bank, (2) renew the USOC sponsorship, (3) renew the sponsorship of Dallas Cowboys, and (4) exit after the 2006 Bank of America Colonial golf tournament sponsorship withoutRead MoreJerry Jones Leadership Papepr Essay2152 Words   |  9 PagesBackground Jerral Jerry Wayne Jones was born October 13, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. He is the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. As a co-captain of the 1964 National Championship Arkansas Razorbacks, Jones is one of a very small number of NFL owners who actually earned a significant level of success as football players. He is the only man in the history of the National Football League to play for a collegiate national championship football team and own a Super Bowl winner. A man ofRead MoreDallas, Texas State Of Texas Essay2424 Words   |  10 PagesBriefly Dallas Dallas is one of the largest and most developed cities in the state of Texas in the United States. Dallas is the 4th largest city in the United States because of its downtown location, and is also the city with the world s largest airport. Dallas, the largest city after Houston and San Antonio, is also one of the top ten cities in the United States. The city is located in the middle of a desert and is literally revived. Dallas, a Texas state, deserves more attention with its dynamicRead MoreMoving To Arlington Essay723 Words   |  3 PagesWestern side of Dallas and Eastern side of Fort Worth Metroplex. It is the seventh highly populated cities in Texas and fort-eighth in United States with a population density of about 360,000. Moving to Arlington TX is very convenient since it has a housing market which has been ranked fourth in the country in relation to affordability. With the presence of Six Flags over Texas, Texas Rangers Ballpark and the Six Flags theme park, the city has amazing entertainment infrastructure The History of ArlingtonRead MoreEssay On Sports Sport1691 Words   |  7 PagesAdam Jones to rob you of your first playoff win. He clearly doesnt have control of his locker room and to make things worse, he added controversial running back Joe Mixon. Throughout the roster you have multiple players with red flags in their history, and you have a coach that can barely lead his team. Weve seen the Bengals have some great teams over the years, and the only thing in common is its head coach. Management has hinted at looking in another direction depending on the results of thisRead MoreEssay about Is Cheerleading a Sport?636 Words   |  3 Pagesphysical prowess? Further into Fisher’s article, she attacks the Lakers Girls and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but what she doesn’t understand is that they only call themselves cheerleaders whereas they’re truly more along the lines of dance teams. These teams choose their girls based on their dance history and dance abilities alone; not your â€Å"typical† cheerleading rubric. For example, try watching the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders show and see how critical of body type and dance abilities they areRead MoreThe Governing Body And League Format For American Football1600 Words   |  7 Pagesdespite the NFL being two and half times more popular, showing that ‘America’s game’ is an incorrect reference as it does not reflect American society. Therefore it is no surprise that the NFL has significant cultural status within American society and history. The US is a symbol of the modern world, the new world order and football has grown and been shaped as a result of this. As a society the US is built on immigration, people leaving squalor in Europe where social mobility was next to impossible due

What Are the Changes Seen in Indian Value System over Years Free Essays

What are the Changes seen in indian value system over years? In: History, Politics Society [Edit categories] | View 20 Lacs + Tenderswww. TenderTiger. com India’s National Tender Portal Call 09824051600 / 09374530073 Ads [Improve] Yes, indian value system has been changed over the years. We will write a custom essay sample on What Are the Changes Seen in Indian Value System over Years or any similar topic only for you Order Now Indians have laid high stress on values like peaceful co-existence,spirituality, deference to elders,recourse to nature, artistic expression, seeking prosperity, strong family ties, respecting even the tools of ur trade, joyousness and hospitality. But these days Cultural ethics,traditions have lost their charm and they have just remained as a day of leisure. Westernization has grappled indians in every way. Yes, indian value system has been changed over the years. Indians have laid high stress on values like peaceful co-existence,spirituality, deference to elders,recourse to nature, artistic expression, seeking prosperity, strong family ties, respecting even the tools of ur trade, joyousness and hospitality. But these days Cultural ethics,traditions have lost their charm and they have just remained as a day of leisure.Westernization has grappled indians in every way. Yes, indian value system has been changed over the years. Indians have laid high stress on values like peaceful co-existence,spirituality, deference to elders,recourse to nature, artistic expression, seeking prosperity, strong family ties, respecting even the tools of ur trade, joyousness and hospitality. But these days Cultural ethics,traditions have lost their charm and they have just remained as a day of leisure. Westernization has grappled indians in every way. How to cite What Are the Changes Seen in Indian Value System over Years, Papers

The strategic alliance

Introduction and background of strategic alliance A global perspective is necessary for businesses since it assists in the process of identifying the prevailing threats and opportunities in the contemporary marketing arena. In spite of the fact that it is necessary to safeguard a business against global competition, it is vital to note that firms should seek ways and means of penetrating into international marketplace.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The strategic alliance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, Barnes and Nobles bookstore entered into strategic alliance with Starbucks way back in 1993. The rationale behind the partnership was to put in place in-house coffee shops, an alliance that would benefit both parties. As a matter of fact, there are myriad of opportunities that are usually created when businesses penetrate into the global market. At this point, it is often of great importance for a f irm to choose the most appropriate entry mode. While there are a host of entry modes that can be chosen by a business organization, it is worth noting that both economic merits and demerits of the chosen alternative should be assessed thoroughly. One of the most viable ways through which a firm can integrate its activities in the international platform is by creating strategic alliances. The term strategic alliance has been approached and described from different perspectives by various economic scholars. According to Inkpen (2003, p.84), whenever there is a formal agreement between two or more like minded firms to collaborate for the purpose of attaining common goals and objectives, it is referred to as a global strategic alliance. This kind of partnership is mostly common among international firms that are aiming at winning the market share by customer value creation or through competitive advantage. For instance, the Beijing University Founder Group and Advanced Micro Devices (AM D) of China formed a strategic alliance in a bid to improve its market share. AMD deals with computer sale to the founder group. The university is deemed to benefit from subsidized pricing. In yet another definition of strategic alliance, Beverland and Bretherton (2001, p.89) posit that it may also refer to myriad of well established economic partnership between potential and actual competitors in the marketplace. This paper offers a succinct discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of strategic alliance as an entry mode into international market using specific key illustrations of firms that have adopted this mode. There are various reasons why firms would opt to ally with other business entities. In the case of an alliance, the partnering firms are in a vantage position to shoulder the burden of costs that are both fixed and varied alongside the incoming risks during the process of developing new products or services. In addition, alliances allow the integration of complemen tary assets and skills which may not be easily developed by either of the firm.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Furthermore, better technological standards for any given firm in an industry may be improved through a alliance. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that firms forming an alliance should be extra cautious since such partnerships may end up being a liability to a business organization. It is also worth noting that joint ventures, licensing of technology as well as a collaborative effort may all be considered under strategic alliance. In the case of a collaborative effort, two firms often come together to form an alliance by pulling their efforts together for the sake of common benefit to both partners. When the production or service methods of a firm is licensed by another firm, it results into a form of strategic alliance called licensing technology. However, when two or more firms agree on a common platform of producing goods and services, it leads into a strategic alliance referred to as a joint venture. The latter form of strategic alliance is definitely the most common entry mode into a global marketplace. Needless to say, strategic alliances in the modern business world has gained prominence in the sense that a synergetic effect of solving common challenges, pooling resources together as well the sharing costs and risks are indeed necessary for positive and sustained business growth. Furthermore, it is also evident that most international businesses are also developing dynamic strategies and perspective on how to manage their establishments. This has been accelerated by the fast rate at which the practice of strategic alliance is taking shape. For example, PaperExchange.com deals with the manufacture of paper related products and is located in Boston, United States of America. The firm has grown by leaps and bounds from 12 employees in 1998 up to more than two hundred and fifty members today (Reeves et al. 2002, p.14). The company has subsidiary locations in over 80 countries across the world. It does not own or sell any products by itself but provides an e-commerce marketplace where buyers and sellers can reach out to each other. Some of the products handled by the industry include tissue paper, fine paper, newsprint, paperboard and containerboard. Buyers and sellers are able to negotiate pricing of products directly through this site. As part of its expansion plans, there are a total of four industries through which PaperExchange.com shares a strategic alliance. These include internet providers who deal with electronic commerce, quality certifications and assurance, transportation logistics and suppliers, consumers and manufacturers of paper products.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The strategic alliance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Under t he e-commerce segment, it has formed their strategic alliances with the following firms: Noosh, Inc., Impresse, Inc., and VerticalNet, Inc. There are other five alliances within the paper product segment namely Port Townsend, Inc., Bowater, Inc., Staples, Inc., Asia Pulp and Paper Company , Ltd and International Paper, Inc (Reeves et al. 2002, p.15). While the concept of strategic alliance is highly welcome and readily embraced by most modern firms, it should be approached with caution bearing in mind that there are underlying advantages and disadvantages which may be reaped by a firm. Advantages and drawbacks of strategic alliance One of the most outstanding benefit or merit of strategic alliance is that it provides a state-of-the-art globalization of businesses. As a matter of fact, several factors such as well enhanced systems of transport and communication as well as the development of international network (internet) has been of great importance to firms opting for strategic al liance. For instance, Weyerhaeuer, Georgia-Pacific and international Paper have also formed a strong strategic alliance to pursue their business interests. They are all forest product companies located in the U.S. running a business to business global marketing platform since year 2000. Most countries do embrace the concept of strategic alliance but based on the legal provisions that have already been put in place. In addition, the goals and needs of the partnering firms is usually a major determinant prior to the formation of a strategic alliance. The following are some of the inherent advantages of strategic alliance: Gaining capabilities In most cases, a business enterprise may not have all the human expertise, technology, skills, knowledge and competences it requires at its disposal. As a result, the need to share unique and the much needed capabilities is often of great essence to any firm wishing to expand to international market. On the other hand, a firm may find it necessar y to share its outstanding capabilities so that it can gain in terms of economic well being. It is imperative to note that no single firm can secure all the much needed capabilities that it may require. Therefore, a strategic alliance provides an ambient environment through which partnering firms can meet set goals and objectives. The newly acquired competences from the strategic alliance plan can also be used by a firm for long term gains towards meeting the needs of consumers and remaining relevant in the market.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A case example is the Apple which also entered into a formidable strategic alliance with ATT, Phillips, Motorola, and Sonny sometimes back as part of a strategy to sell its computing technology to the mobile telephony firms and improve on market share. Improved accessibility to target markets When a single firm decides to introduce a new product or service into the market, it may not be an easy task. The situation gets even trickier when a global market has to be accessed. It is worth noting that cost related advantages may not be in favour of a firm which undertakes such developments single handedly. Some of the obstacles that the management of a firm may face include operating complexity, untenable government regulations as well as stiff market completion (Shenkar Luo 2004, p.259). In addition, lack of proper assessment of the marketplace, direct financial losses and reduced opportunity costs may also befall a single firm entering a foreign market. It is against this background t hat when an appropriate strategic alliance is chosen, it would assist in minimizing some of the risks and challenges. For example, accessibility to the market can be improved when a firm opts to license a service or product in the name of the alliance partner as part and parcel of broadening the market for the given product (Pansiri 2005, p.1109). Financial risk sharing The financial risks associated with running an international enterprise can be reduced if strategic alliance is adopted. For instance, firms will usually end up sharing any risks associated with financial losses incurred in a strategic alliance partnership. Hence, no single firm will fully shoulder the burden of such risks in case of an eventuality (Harper 2001, p.30). Eradicating the political obstacle Strict legal regulations coupled with inhospitable political environment might indeed hinder the marketing success of a new product being introduced into a new market. The best solution for this hindrance is the forma tion of strategic alliance which will take care of new products of a foreign firm which will be introduced through a partnering firm already located in a foreign country. Attaining competitive advantage and synergy both competitive advantage and synergy will be readily generated in a strategic alliance business setting. Through joint efforts, each firm in an alliance will be in a position to gain these two elements in a much easier way. For instance, it is quite cumbersome to create a distinct image of a new brand in the market and also convince consumers on the same. The process may be time consuming and costly. Hence, a firm with a well known brand in the market may be used to usher in a new product into the market. For instance, Microsoft and Nokia entered a strategic alliance whereby more advanced and market compliant products are to be manufactured. This will indeed boost their competitive advantage and synergy in the market. Drawbacks of strategic alliance Inability to overcom e cultural and language barriers There are myriad of cultural setbacks that a foreign firm may find it difficult to address while expanding its business portfolio. For example, the alliance between International Business Machine (IBM) and i-flex solutions faced a lot of cultural setbacks as the firms attempted to penetrate new markets. Handing operating practices that are diverse or conflicting in nature Two or more partnering firms may not have common practices and therefore it may take long to harmonize individual operations. Cost disadvantages, lack of trust and harmony There are myriad of coordination costs incurred an also consumes time before trust within the alliance is built and also during the process of communication. Lack of formidable trust between partners especially when cooperating in competitively sensitive businesses is a serious setback in most strategic alliances which may also lead to lack of harmony in company cultures and egos Conflicting standards of ethics, c orporate values, strategies and objectives Since organizations forming a strategic alliance are usually from diverse backgrounds in terms of objectives or products and services being offered, it is definite that conflicts are likely to arise from time to time Over-reliance One or both of the partnering firms in strategic alliance may develop dependency syndrome on the much needed capabilities over a long period of time. Conclusion In summing up, it is imperative to reiterate that strategic alliance is one of the most dominant and viable entry mode into a global marketplace. As already discussed, merits such as gained capabilities, low operating costs, minimized risks and easy access to the market are usually accrued by firms engaging in strategic alliance. In addition, the essay has addressed some case studies firms that have partnered in strategic alliance. A case example is Apple Computers with Sony Mobile. Finally, it is also worth noting that any form of strategic alliance shoul d be approached with caution since it may lead to liabilities if not properly checked. References Beverland, M Bretherton, P 2001, ‘The uncertain search for opportunities: determinants of strategic alliances, Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 88-89. Harper, P 2001, ‘Four steps to making strategic alliances work for your firm’, Journal for Quality Participation, vol. 24 no. 4, pp. 28-37. Inkpen, AC 2003, Strategic Alliances, in A. Rugman and T.Brewer, The Oxford Handbook of international Business: Oxford University Press, Oxford. Pansiri, J 2005, ‘The influence of managers characteristics and perceptions in strategic alliance practice’. Management Decision, no. 43 vol. 9, pp. 1097-1113. Reeves, BJ et al.2002, ‘The Paper Industry: Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures, and Electronic Commerce Are Reshaping Our Business Models’ Southern Business Review pp. 9-17. Shenkar, O Luo, Y 2004, International Bu siness, Wiley, New York. Woodcock, PC, Beamish, DW Makino, SM 1994, ‘Ownership-based Entery Mode Strategies and International Performance’, Journal of international Business Studies, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 253-273. This essay on The strategic alliance was written and submitted by user Brayan Conley to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.