Vampires And Zombies Monsters - 1658 Words

Vampires and zombies Monsters can refer to strange-looking creatures, such as Protoceratops, Godzilla, and Cyclops. Monsters can also be the unnatural beings that share something in common with humankinds, such as vampires, and zombies. In traditional folklores, they were both considered as creatures that will bring fatal illness and gave viruses and bacteria (Day 12). Along with the spread of vampire stories from Eastern Europe to America, vampires often show the potential for improvement (Butler 89). Zombies, however, were initially popularized in Haitain, but the story of zombies make them only gotten worse after it came to America, and today they are known as basically human garbage (Butler 92) It seems that vampires occupy the summit of the supernatural world, while zombies remain stuck at the bottom (Butler 90). But no matter how ultimately different forms that vampires and zombie present, it seems that the breakdown of society is unavoidable. The first record of vampiresâ€⠄¢ undead activity was in Sebia (Butler 77). The local inhabitants’ lives were uneasy, because they were confused about their identities and what they should follow (Butler 77). In this circumstance, vampire myth appeared to express the society’s anxiety by their irregularities, such as upsetting healthy sexuality and destroying normal patterns of reproduction (Butler 78). Places like back alleys and hidden recess provide opportunities for vampires to gain their powers and their exotic influenceShow MoreRelatedEssay On Vampires And Zombies820 Words   |  4 Pagesskeletons and zombies and vampires, and that’s not just on Halloween† were said by Michael Almereyda who is a film director of America. Similarly, the essays â€Å"Vampires Never Die,† and â€Å"Our Zombies, Ourselves: Why we can’t get the undead off our brains† from Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, and James Parker respectively point out about the zombies and vampires. Va mpires, and zombies are the creatures of the night. Vampires feed on human blood, while zombies feed on human brains. Vampires are depictedRead MoreVampires Never Die, By Guillermo Del Toro And Chuck Hogan1299 Words   |  6 Pagestext â€Å"Vampires Never Die,† by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, the authors main purpose is to tell the origin of vampires and how the perception of vampires has changed throughout history. Although the myth of an undead monster was created before the word â€Å"vampire† ever was, this text begins with a story told by John William Polidori that created the two main branches of vampire fiction known today. These branches include the vampire as a romantic hero and the vampire as an undead monster. MoreoverRead MoreMonsters Are The Stars Of Entertainment For The Horror Industry1553 Words   |  7 PagesMonsters have been the stars of entertainment for the horror industry. The word monster usually connotes something wrong or evil; a frea k of nature. Traditionally, monster narratives to depict the monster a hideous creature that may produce fear or panic. However; can this still apply to present day? Monsters have completely revolutionized. For example, Vampires have traditionally been categorized as evil, seductive and alluring creatures of the night. They moved through the night, hiding in shadowsRead MoreZombies, By Zombies And Vampires1380 Words   |  6 PagesTogether, zombies and vampires seems to occupy opposite extremes of the spectrum. Zombies demonstrate the greatest fears of humans, death, whereas vampires reflects human’s greatest desire, to love and to be loved. However, combined they find a happy medium, mankind’s view of an afterlife. To be reanimated as either a vampire or a zombie, one has to die. The thought of the dead coming back to life is unfamiliar territory for humans, and this unknown is a fear in itself. There are a lot of speculationsRead MoreZombies Are Boring : The Zombie Plague1134 Words   |  5 PagesZombies are boring. Despite the amount of creative freedom authors can exhibit in the fiction genre, there is a singular, consistent, specific, and defining depiction of what is known as â€Å"the zombie.† The very uttering of this science fiction buzz-word conjures elaborate and imaginative images of decomposing, slack-jawed, mindless creatures hungering for flesh. Their clothes are usually dirty and ragged, their teeth stained yellow and red, the remnants of their last meal on their lips, and a telltaleRead MoreThe Mystery Of The Vampire1129 Words   |  5 PagesVampires, zombies, ghosts, and demons are the four biggest genres of Western horror. While some horror movie tropes seem to come and go, like mummies, witches, cannibals, those four genres never seem to disappear. Every couple of months a new haunted house movie comes out, and since the start of AMC’s The Walking Dead, zombies have not even taken a break. Even considering how popular zombies are now, there is one type of creature that we will always be plagued with; the vampire. Just in the 21stRead MoreThe Folklore of the Undead Essay1296 Words   |  6 Pagesgood reason. Some people who claim to be Vampires or Vampire hunters are in fact only doing it to get attention, such as the Dogs Of War â€Å"vampire hunting group† who later admitted to being frauds.(www.choronzon.com) There are also many conflicting ideas of what a vampire is, or on definitions of vampires. Vourdalak vampires, for instance, are always female, whereas, while females are more commonly vampires, it is by no means a rule in other folklore. (Vampire Grimoire) The Zmeu, on the other hand,Read MoreAliens : Aliens And Zombies865 Words   |  4 PagesAliens vs. Zombies Stories, books, and movies about aliens and zombies have been around for quite some time. However, many alien movies are misleading in saying that humans could ever defeat such an advanced species. Aliens are more of a threat to the human race than zombies. That is to say, the more likely of the two to wipe out humans would be aliens. This can be clearly seen when comparing the weaknesses, intelligence levels, and strategies of attack of the each of the monsters. It is importantRead MoreThe Article Monsters And The Moral Imagination 1041 Words   |  5 PagesIn the article â€Å"Monsters and the Moral Imagination,† Stephen Asma, a professor of Philosophy and Distinguished Scholar at Columbia College Chicago, argues that the existence of monsters have a purpose in our lives. It is not only to reveal our deepest fears, but to question our moral instincts. Being attacked by fictional monsters seems impractical, however, chaos and disasters do happen and exist in the real world. The creation of monsters is due to our reaction of our fears and the inability toRead MoreThe Dangers Of Aliens And Zombies880 Words   |  4 PagesStories, books, and movies about aliens and zombies have been around for quite some time. However, many alien movies are misleading in saying that humans could ever defeat such an advanced species. Aliens are more of a threat to the human race than zombies. That is to say, the more likely of the two to wipe out h umans would be aliens. This can be clearly seen when comparing the weaknesses, intelligence levels, and strategies of attack of the each of the monsters. It is important to know the weaknesses

Essay on Edgar Allan Poe Youth, Beauty, and Death

The relationship with Edgar Allan Poe and the woman in his life – his mother, adoptive mother, and wife, Virginia Clemm – were disastrous (DiLorenzo). Yet, they provided the inspiration for some of the best gothic pieces to date. Poe often combines the romantic, long lasting love in fairy tales and the hard truth of real life. Such elements are portrayed within â€Å"Annabel Lee† and â€Å"Ulalume†. His poems refrain from creating a false paradise, and instead represent an allegory of his tribulations – the death of young, beautiful women. For example, â€Å"Annabel Lee† is about the speaker of the poem remembering his long-lost love, Annabel Lee. Throughout the poem he references â€Å"in a kingdom by the sea† (Poe â€Å"Annabel Lee†) which portrays Poe’s†¦show more content†¦Finally, as night sets he begins to believe that the moon must be Astarte, and is directing him towards paradise. Unfortunately, the moon only directs him to the tomb of his deceased love, Ulalume, and it is revealed that that night is the one year anniversary of his lover’s death. Poe wrote â€Å"Ulalume† in the same year of his wife’s death, and again reveals the death of a young, beautiful woman. Again, the speaker is left mourning the death of his lover, â€Å"Then my heart it grew ashen and sober† (Poe â€Å"Ulalume†). The fact that the speaker never strays from the trail that he walks on can represent him being stuck in his mind, and his every thought is occupied by his lost love â€Å"But our thoughts they were palsied and sere-â€Å"(Poe â€Å"Ulalume†). After the death of Virginia Clemm, Poe seeped into a deep depression, and it could be thought that he knew this would occur and wrote about within his works. Edgar Allan Poe’s poems are often allegories for events in his life. A constant theme in most of his poems is constant memories and grief. In â€Å"Annabel Lee† everything reminds the speaker of his lost love â€Å"For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams/of the beautiful Annabel Lee† (Poe, â€Å"Annabel Lee†) – this causes the speaker to sleep by her tomb every night â€Å"And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side/ Of my darling-my darling-my life and my bride† (Poe, â€Å"Annabel Lee†). In â€Å"Ulalume† the speakerShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Edgar Allan Poe s The Cask Of Amontillado Essay1267 Words   |  6 PagesOctober 19, 2016 Poe’s Love and Death; One in the Same The significance of Edgar Allan Poe s style of writing, which commands the use of both death and love most frequently throughout his works, are what really made his literary works become so well known. The nature of death and on questions about the afterlife is usually Poe’s main focus in most of his literary works. A woman who has died at the height of her youth and beauty, leaving a lover behind to mourn. Death and Love, these two main themesRead MoreAnalysis Of Edgar Allan Poe s The Cask Of Amontillado 1200 Words   |  5 Pages2015 Life of Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe has become America’s first literary star. His tales or short stories are popular all over the world! Poe lived an unhappy life, when people came in contact with this â€Å"saddest strangest figure in American literary history† they were aware of some of his qualities (Fagin 1). Edgar Allan’s has a complex personality. Poe excelled at creating Gothic and Horror stories. Poe works with realism in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† (Buranelli 19). Poe writes about himselfRead MoreThe Death Of A Beautiful Woman By Edgar Allan Poe Essay2251 Words   |  10 Pagesseveral, if not all, works of Edgar Allan Poe, there is a not so subtle theme that is found. One of the death and beauty. How is the death of a young woman romanticized within selected works of Edgar Allan Poe? In such works as â€Å"Lenore†, â€Å"Ulalume†, popular â€Å"Annabel Lee†, â€Å"The Raven†, and short story â€Å"The Oval Painter† ,the â₠¬Å"death of a beautiful woman† theme is prevalent and strongly noted within context, word choice, and imagery. In the eyes of Edgar Allan poe, death, especially that of a woman,Read More The Somber and Dark Tone of The Fall of the House of Usher Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesThe Somber and Dark Tone of The Fall of the House of Usher The work of Edgar Allan Poe is notoriously morbid and terror-provoking. Poe’s â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher†, with its melancholically eerie tone, is undoubtedly a prime example of such writing. Much effort within the literary world has been devoted to the analysis and critique of Poe’s compositions. Among those to study and analyze Poe’s work is J.O. Bailey. Bailey’s argument concerning Poe’s underlying objective is valid and presentedRead MoreThe Destruction of the Feminine and Triumph of Society: Homosexuality In Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher†1446 Words   |  6 PagesIn Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† there is dense symbolism that surrounds the house that may lead the reader to infer many conclusions about Roderick himself. Perhaps the most interesting understanding comes in the femininity that is present in the story. Poe uses very specific descriptors in the story, many of which seem to indicate the gentle, soft, delicate features of woman. These substantiations seem to be interconnected in opposition to death, and by the end of the storyRead MoreRomanticism in American Literature2283 Words   |  10 PagesGetting to Know Thoreau Poe Within this paper will be an explanation of the ideals of Romantic writers in Early American Literature. We will also look at some aspects of Romanticism that were uniquely understood by the writers and artists in the United States. There will be a brief discussion of â€Å"bright† and â€Å"dark† Romantic writing and it is there that we will look at the lives, and one poem each, of Henry David Thoreau, a â€Å"bright† romantic writer and Edgar Allan Poe, a â€Å"dark† romantic writerRead MoreThe Role Of Women In Edgar Allan PoeS Life And Writings.1968 Words   |  8 PagesWomen in Edgar Allan Poe s Life and Writings Edgar Allan Poe is known for his dark tales of horror, twisted poems, and as the originator of detective fiction. While the opinions of his works are many and various, the impact and influence of his writings cannot be denied. In fact, one writer Poe inspired was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle has said that he feels Poe s stories were a model for all time (Hertzfeld 2012). Doyle was inspired by Poe s threeRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe / Emily Dickinson3782 Words   |  16 Pagesin this paper will be Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe. Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century. The romantic period saw an overflowing of emotions, with â€Å"lyrical ballads† maintaining that all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling. The romantic period in American literature, which included writers like Washington Irving, Emerson, Thoreau, Emily Dickson, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathanial Hawthorne, Walt Whitman, HermanRead More A Comparison of Love in Annabel Lee and La Belle Dame sans Merci2408 Words   |  10 PagesLove in Poe’s Annabel Lee and Keats’s La Belle Dame sans Merci  Ã‚     Ã‚   Poe’s â€Å"Annabel Lee and Keats’s La Belle Dame sans Merci depict the destructive effects that women exercise upon men. In both poems, women, by death and deception, harm their adoring lovers. In Annabel Lee, Annabel dies and leaves the speaker in isolation; in La Belle Dame Sans Merci, the fairy, La Belle Dame, captures the speaker’s heart, and then deserts him. The common theme of both poems, that love generates harmfulRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire By Tennessee Williams1401 Words   |  6 Pagesher name is French for white (OED). So, the color of white must carry great significance to Blanche as a character. In regards to how Blanche wishes to present herself to others, white is considered to be representative of virginity, pureness, and youth (OED). Blanche attempts to carry herself as a naà ¯ve youthful virginal lady, but in all honesty she is an intriguing and wise woman who has been around the block. The usage of white could also symbolize Blanche’s true nature, strength and weaknesses

Zara Supply Chain Free Essays

string(66) " lower than those offered by Zara \(Lexis Nexis Database, 2012\)\." Zara â€Å"Possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world† – Daniel Piette, Fashion Director of Louis Vuitton – LIM College Center of Graduate Studies Continuing Education Supply Chain Management (MNGM 605) Introduction Since globalization is an important asset to the world of fashion, significant developments have improved processes within the industry. It has been challenging for consumers to find clothing â€Å"Made in the USA† as transformations in the apparel business have caused changes in the supply chain distribution procedure. Accordingly, globalization has created new opportunities to improve production and distribution practices, which gave room for the growth of the â€Å"fast-fashion† concept. We will write a custom essay sample on Zara Supply Chain or any similar topic only for you Order Now Fast-fashion can be defined as the quick production of â€Å"apparel with a low cost, chic look now dominating the retail world. Fast fashion is mass-produced, reasonable in price for most consumers, and easy to obtain, making it simple for anyone to look stylish† (Mhm, 2010, p. 55). Zara: Spanish Retailer Zara, the Spanish firm owned by Inditex (Industria de Diseno Textil), is the first company to control the fast fashion market in the United States after its success in Europe. In 2009 Zara went beyond Gap and became the world’s largest clothing retailer. In 1975, Zara established itself as a lingerie-clothing store in La Coruna, Spain, and in 1985 became part of Inditex. The company went public in 2001 and in 2012 was named Best Retail Brand in Spain by Interbrand, with 8% increase in brand value from 2011 to 2012 (Interbrand, 2012). Zara being the flagship brand of Inditex is accountable for Inditex’s global success as it reports for more than 60% of the company’s sales (Hoover’s Database, 2012). Globalization increased the challenges to coordinate shipment by road, rail, sea, and air and now it broadened to include the Internet. An American consultant in the fashion industry, Thomas Freese, explains, â€Å"Supply-chain management is an evolution of logistics. Logistics tends to be tactical, supply-chain management is strategic. Supply chains are becoming not only longer but also more enveloping† (Mhm, 2010, p. 57). Zara owns the majority of its stores (90%), and to expand overseas has adopted three different methods. Owning subsidiaries is the most expensive strategy and represents high risk if the firm decides to exit the market; however, it involves high levels of control. This strategy is used in European and South American countries. Joint ventures are a co-operative strategy where the manufacturing facilities and the know-how of the local company merge with the expertise of international firms in the market. This strategy is applied in large and competitive markets were purchasing property to arrange a retail outlet is a challenge and the assistance of local companies is needed. Finally, franchising is the strategy chosen for high-risk countries that are culturally distant or have low sales forecast such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Andorra, and Malaysia. Zara’s franchisees apply the same business model as its own subsidiaries concerning product, store location, interior design, logistic, and human resources. Also, they are responsible for investing in fixed assets and recruiting staff. Since Zara gained management control of the franchisees located in Japan, Germany, and Italy, such stores have been incorporated in the group of owned stores (Leong, et. l, 2009, p. 280). Zara utilizes a â€Å"store-centric business model†. Unlike other fashion companies, in which the design or sales functions tend to dominate others, Inditex places the retail function at the center of its corporate structure (Business Source Complete Database, 2008). Proof of this is that Zara’s store management function takes center stage, not only managing all the store st aff, but also making orders (and discussing them with designers and market specialists), providing feedback and making requests to the design team. Additionally, operations, wholesale, logistics and sourcing are all at their service. The Spanish retailer also relies its retail strategy on a dynamic assortment capability (Caro, 2009), which is a firm’s ability to revise its product assortment during the selling season. To do so, Zara keeps production volumes low at the beginning of the season and reacts quickly to orders and new trends during the period; after all, â€Å"we are in the fashion business – not clothing† says a Zara manager (Ferdows, 2003). This way, the store is always supplied with the most up-to-date designs, receiving new merchandise twice a week. The policy of avoiding markdowns during the selling season also plays a center role in Zara’s strategy (Caro, 2009). The items that are not sold for more than two weeks are usually transferred to another store in the same country, shipped back to Spain or to Lefties (Zara outlet). This allows the company to charge nearly 85% of the product’s full price, while the industry’s average product makes only 60% to 70% of its full price (Ferdows, 2003). Based on the information provided by Hoover’s Database (2012), Zara and Inditex’s (parent company) major competitors are HM (Hennes Mauritz), and The Gap Inc. This criterion is based on both their volume of sales and the industry that these companies belong to (clothing stores). Euromonitor Database (2012) also includes TJX Companies within Zara’s major competitors. Table 1 presents Zara’s basic data together with that of its competitors (Hoover’s Database, 2012). Tinsley and Ormsby (2010) agree on the idea that Zara does not seek to create tendencies or looks through fashion shows and other distribution channels. Zara is perceived as a fashion imitator and therefore, the goal of the company is to understand the trends and styles that are used, develop products based on this knowledge and deliver them to the consumer as quickly as possible. HM and Gap also operate with a comparable strategy. Zara is a chain of retail stores characterized by its low prices and quick response to fashion trends, which accounts for the company’s success (Hoover’s Database, 2012). The Gap Inc. has produced basic apparel for women, men and children since 1969 and in search of expanding its target market and product categories has developed chic brands such as Banana Republic, Old Navy, amongst others. HM designs chic apparel for women, men and children; yet, the prices of its merchandise are lower than those offered by Zara (Lexis Nexis Database, 2012). You read "Zara Supply Chain" in category "Essay examples" Both, Zara and HM, have followed the same growing trend when introducing brand extensions such as Zara Home and HM Home (Hoover’s Databse, 2012). The Gap Inc. is ranked as one f the top global clothing vendors; however, Inditex as parent company of Zara has managed to operate more stores worldwide (Hoover’s, Database 2012). Inditex’s production system truly differentiates Zara from its competition. While Gap and H outsource most of their manufacturing, Zara produces 60% of its merchandise in-house. Its own factories, which primarily p roduce the most fashion-forward garments, are mainly located in Spain and Portugal. The others contractors are typically located in Asia and in other European countries. From Asia, Zara imports basic products and those for which the region has a clear cost or quality advantage. Zara obtains the majority of its fabric supply from another Inditex subsidiary (Ferdows, 2003). Over half of these fabrics are purchased undyed to allow faster response to mid-season color trends. While fabric supply, making and cutting, and the final finishing of garments are made in-house, Zara subcontracts the sewing stage to other specialized firms (Euromonitor, 2012). Finally the fabric is sent to local shops to be assembled. All products pass through Zara’s major distribution centers in La Coruna, Zaragoza and Barcelona before being shipped around the world. These distribution centers employ some of the most sophisticated and automated systems. Orders for each store are typically ready for shipment 8 hours after they have been received. Stores in Europe normally receive their orders in 24 hours, United States in 48 hours and Japan in 48 to 72 hours (Ferdows, 2003). Clearly, speed is a major concern. This combination of real-time information sharing and internalized production means that Zara can work with almost no stock and still have new designs in the stores twice a week, as opposed to the six weeks that it traditionally takes most competitors. Dan McCue states â€Å"changing retail and consumer behaviors are putting increased pressure on supply chains to deliver† (McCue, 2010). Zara certainly uses the Just in Time strategy when it comes to having fashion and trendy items available for the consumer. This business model indeed differentiates from that of Gap, H, and other major competitors (McCue, 2010). The three companies, Zara, H and Gap, target the same market and consumer base with the same product categories that differentiate amongst themselves by price, quality, availability, and style. Similarly, TJX targets consumers with middle to upper incomes that want to wear fashion items, but due to the economy downfall, are more conscious about the money they spend (Hoover’s Database, 2012). It is important to note that discounting and off-price retail clothing stores like TJ Maxx offer multi-brands generally in single markets as it allows them to build economies of scale that will generate profit, instead of bigger margins (Global Briefing, 2011). Both Zara and Gap sell private label products that are exclusively manufactured for both companies. Still, Inditex exerts a strong influence over almost the entire garment supply chain, which operates at a record-breaking speed. Zara is described as a vertically integrated retailer, directly controlling design, purchasing, production, distribution and retailing. Therefore, within Zara’s competitive advantages it is important to highlight the power to sell a high quality product that has a tight margin at a reasonable price. This also gives the company the expertise about the production process of a piece from beginning to end, which results in lower costs and superior efficiency, that is later on transformed into a differentiator within the market (Quadrik, 2010). Zara produces only a limited quantity of each design, providing small inventory and a constant renewal of its collections with new models and designs. Based on sales, stores report costumer’s feedback to designers who elaborate future garments. In this sense, Zara launches around 10,000 new designs per year, while the industry produces between 2,000 and 4,000. Constant change in designs makes the consumer perceive Zara as a store with the latest fashion (Tinsley, Ormsby, 2010). Similarly, TJX’s strategy has been that of managing tight inventories with high inventory turnover so as to attract more consumers to their stores (Hoover’s Database, 2012). According to Bovet, Zara introduces two to three new lines each week, with around eleven inventory turns a year, compared with rival H, which has seven or eight. He says he would be surprised if any retailer in the UK is higher than this, and believes many probably turn their inventory four to five times a year (Retail Week, 2001). Zara puts a lot of effort to locate its stores in the most up-market, high traffic and prestigious locations, even if prices are very expensive. These attributes are particularly important for Zara because it spends relatively little on advertising compared to its peers (Business Source Complete Database, 2008). Zara’s advertising strategy is that of zero advertising; alternatively, heir main communication channel is the store’s window. Again, this emphasizes their store-centric business model. On the other hand, H marketing strategy consists of attracting consumers through the endorsement of celebrities and joint ventures with big name designers (Hoover’s Database, 2012). TJX Companies operates TJ Maxx and Marshalls, which represent two of the largest cut-price clothing retails stores in the U nited States, therefore, the approach of the company is to target those consumers that are looking for discounted prices (Euromonitor Database, 2012). The competitive advantage of this stores are the selling products 20% to 60% below the price of comparable items at other department stores (Hoover’s Database, 2012). Finally, what really differentiates Zara from its competitors is its emphasis on fashion, as opposed to value, which has successfully appealed to the growing middle class (Global Briefing, 2011). Zara derives its competitive advantage from an astute use of information and technology as all of its stores are electronically linked to the company’s headquarters in Spain (Retail Week, 2011). Conclusion In order to improve its supply chain management, Zara should further develop its online sales presence. Research indicates that online apparel retailing sales are expected to grow (Euromonitor, 2012). Zara has a strongly underdeveloped presence in Internet retailing, which accounts for less than 1% of Inditex’s total revenue, while global apparel internet sales made up about 5% of the industry’s total sale (Euromonitor, 2012). Therefore, the Internet could be a huge advantage for the company, as many countries still don’t have a Zara’s online store. As stated previously, overall, Zara has many advantages over its competitors, specially regarding logistics and supply chain. However, the need for new distribution centers may turn into an issue in the future, as Zara has to remain fast, efficient and effective while penetrating new markets and consolidating its presence in existing ones, such as the US and Asia. Table 1 [pic] References Caro, F. (2009, July 13). Felipe Caro. Retrieved from http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=CGrT_zqfj2U Duns, S. (2006, June 28). What is really new in supply chains?. The Bangkok Post, p. 1A. Euromonitor Database. (2012). Ferdows, K. , Lewis, M. Machuca, J. (2003). Zara. International Journal, 5(2), 62-66. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from Business Source Complete Database. Folpe, J. M. (2000). Zara has a made-to-order plan for success. Fortune, 142(5), 80. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from Business Source Complete Database. Gap Official Site. (2012). About Gap Inc. Retrieved on June 15, 2012 from http://www. gapinc. com/content/gapinc/html/aboutus. html Global Briefing. (2011). International Challenges and Opportunities for Clothing and Footwear Retailers. Retrieved on June 14th, 2012 from Euromonitor Database. HM Official Site. 2012). HM Life. Retrieved on June 15, 2012 from http://www. hm. com/us/life#comp_00000058bc Hoover’s Database. (2012). Inditex. (2012) Inditex, Industria de Diseno Textile in Retailing (World). Retrieved on June 13, 2012, from Euromonitor Database. Leong, C. , Ying, F. (2009). Internalization of the Spanish Fashion Brand Zara. The Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 13(2), 279-296. Retrieve June 14, 2012, from the ProQuest Central database. Mccue, D. (2010). A New Spin on Just in Time. World Trade: WT100, 23(12), 28-31. Mhm, B. (2010). Fast Fashion In A Flat World: Global Sourcing Strategies. The International Business Economics Research Journal, 9(6), 55-63. Retrieve June 14, 2012, from the ProQuest Central database. Quadri, K. (2010). What Are the Real Benefits of Vertical Integration in a Retail Supply Chain? Retrieved on June 13th, 2012 from: http://blog. technologyevaluation. com/blog/2010/04/15/what-are-the-real-benefits-of-vertical-integration-in-a-retail-supply-chain/ Retail Week. (2001). Supply chain: Zara streaks ahead. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from Business Source Complete Database. The â€Å"Inditex Way† Business Model. (2008). Black Book – Inditex: Best-in-Class Mass-Fashion Retailer, 35-43. How to cite Zara Supply Chain, Essay examples

Global Sourcing for Intercultural Challenges- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theGlobal Sourcing for Intercultural Challenges. Answer: Introduction Global purchasing or sourcing of raw materials and/or services from the international market beyond geo-political boundaries is one of the common strategies applied by large-scale organizations, in aim of optimizing the available resources. While global purchasing involves a monetary transaction, it is not the only way of sourcing. Global purchasing strategies are adopted by organizations in order to have control over their suppliers and reduce the Companys dependency on them (Monczka et al. 2015). Sourcing of raw materials or services from all over the world allows the Company to select the optimum supplier from a vast range of available options. This intensifies the competitiveness amongst the supplier companies as well as makes the finished product more competent in the international market. Taking into consideration the mentioned, the Case Study of the internationally established Swedish Company, the misunderstandings between the Company authorities and the Chinese manager of the subsidiary in Vietnam, is a key example of the challenges faced by a multi-cultural workforce (Binder, 2016). Though the Swedish Companys global purchasing guidelines clearly mentioned the necessity to obtain supplies from a wide range of suppliers so that the same supplier supplies not more than 30% of a product, the subsidiary manager in Vietnam violated the guidelines as he was culturally systemized to trust and rely on only the individuals from the same ethnicity. Therefore, this study revolves around the importance of alignment of the business strategies with its multi-cultural workforce, distributed in different managerial and production levels to derive the desired results. Discussion According to (Achtenhagen, Melin Naldi, 2013)the case study in discussion reveals the obstacles in the path of formulating the correct strategizing tool for a Company, especially in relation to the inter-cultural backlashes and the organizations internal and external threats and possibilities. Breach in Communication Sourcing of supplies from a multicultural global market has multiple benefitslike availability of the best quality materials at reasonable price, chosen from an array of available options. However, working with a multi-cultural workforce has its own demerits and needs a proficient management system to overcome the challenges (Gomarasca, 2013). A multicultural workforce comprises of individuals from various geographical locations, ethnic backgrounds, languages, cultures and beliefs; therefore, having in-depth knowledge about how to communicate with individuals who share different culture, views and beliefs is important to develop a basic understanding amongst the participatory forces. The guidelines set up by the Swedish Company required to purchase supplies from a range of suppliers so that the dependence on each supplier can be kept under control. Having multiple sources of supply also enhances the competitiveness amongst the supplier companies and ensures the best quality product at the best price for the buyer Company (Inemek Matthyssens, 2013). However, a Chinese manager, who prefers to buy supplies from Chinese suppliers only, operates the subsidiary of the Swedish Company located in Vietnam. As a result of this, there was a miscommunication between the two participantsSwedish manager of the Company and Chinese manager of the subsidiary. As per the Chinese manager, he failed to evaluate the benefits of having diverse suppliers, whereas the Swedish manager failed to fathom the culture and tradition of loyalty and dependability shared by his Chinese partners. Intercultural miscommunication is one of the most prominent challenges faced by large-scale industries today (Sun, 2013). In order to conduct business with a new country, awareness and knowledge regarding their culture, language, belief system and values is essential to construct an effective communication system, which is a primary necessity in the smooth functioning of an organization. As more and more companies extend their reach beyond geographical boundaries, issues of miscommunication keep rising and pose a major threat for the organizations (Maitlis Christianson, 2014). Lack of flexibility in Company policies leads to exclusion of diverse needs and liabilities; it also limits the prospect of optimum utilization of diverse human resources. Training programmes and awareness programmes held with the motive of improving intercultural communication of an organization would help in sensitizing both the parties regarding the merits and demerits of their processes (Thorpe, 2013). Exchange of culture and ideas amongst the diverse processes is the strongest element of a multi-cultural workforce. Providing professional assistance to the Chinese subsidiary manager of Vietnam might help in clarifying the specific needs of the company as well as enhance their competence in international business market. Intercultural Behaviour Analysis The participants of the specific case, involves a Swedish Company having subsidiary companies all over the globe. Various operational managers are responsible for each of these subsidiaries located outside the country (Kortmann et al. 2014). The Company established a set of guidelines for global sourcing and purchasing which mentioned that supplies must be bought from a list of suppliers so that no one vendor supplies more than 30% of a product. This is a strategic tool taken up by the Company in order to hold strong governance over the supplier variable (Christensen, 2014). Purchasing goods and services from a wide range of suppliers not only controls Companys dependence on suppliers but also ensures the best quality product at a reasonable price. It increases competition amongst the supplier organizations and as a result, the quality of the finished good is more competent in the global market, especially in terms of price. On the other hand, the manager of the subsidiary company was a Chinese man, who had a different outlook and objectives towards his business, essentially based on the cultural beliefs, values and traditions. He was found to violate the Company guidelines repeatedly as he only purchased products from Chinese vendors and refused to involve with any other supplier from a different background. According to him, conducting business amongst the Chinese family not only ensures trust and loyalty amongst each other but also makes it cost-effective with the help of discounts, instalment payment and concessions (De Mooij, 2013). Thus, the basic difference in cultural understanding and perspective plays a big role in defining the actions and reactions of different participatory elements in a Company. Even though the relevance of geographical borders is constantly diminishing, the intercultural boundaries are deeply internalized and systemized into the lives of the individuals (del Pino et al. 2013). Breaching the intercultural blockage and establishing a harmoniously synchronised multicultural framework is a mammoth task and requires vast understanding of the diversity of cultures. A Companys intercultural competency is defined by three essential factors, the behaviour of the participants, the cognition of the participants and the emotions of the participants. Identification of the intercultural differences, diagnosis of the caused breach and taking appropriate steps to resolve the differences are the three essential steps towards cultural adaptation. Intercultural Communication Strategies Communicating with employees from a different culture requires primarily understanding the employees language and perspectives. The cultural upbringing of each participant is different from the other and this diversity, if properly utilized, can result in high productivity (Smith et al. 2013). In order to enhance the productivity of an organization, a motivating work culture needs to be promoted for the employees of the Company. Emphasizing on employee satisfaction and morale is as important as the emphasis on customer needs and preferences. The various ways by which the intercultural communication can be improved in a business organization are as follows: Breaking Stereotypes: Every culture has its own distinguishing features that are unique and definitive. However, assuming ones culture to be the universal culture for all, leads to unnecessary miscommunications and misunderstandings within the organization. Assumptions regarding other perspectives and setting up expectations accordingly could bring about a huge downfall for both the sides (Coghlan Brannick, 2014). Mutual respect for all cultures and their practices is absolutely necessary to maintain a healthy, professional relationship. In this case, awareness about Chinese customs and beliefs could have saved the Swedish manager from taking decisions that would adversely affect the Company in the long run. On the other hand, a little bit more awareness and training could have helped the Chinese manager to break the stereotypes of his culture and take a more competitive, multicultural stand by involving vendors from other cultural backgrounds. Not only would it adhere to the guidel ines provided by the company, but also help him emerge as a competent provider and supplier. Inclusivity: The approach of an organization should be inclusive of employees from all kinds of backgrounds. The employees belonging to different countries and cultures should not feel alienated from the Company, rather feel like a part of it (Barak, 2016). It is the communication managers responsibility to maintain an ethical work culture in business, inclusive of individuals from all sectors of life. Empathy: The ability to empathize with other individuals from different culture is an important step towards multi-cultural adaptation. It is the first step towards understanding the language and the culture (Keith Simmers, 2013). Identifying the key words of a language in a conversation helps in communication between two individuals without the use of oral language. Having a vivid understanding of the new culture and further comparing it with own culture would help to figure out the exact differences between the two cultures. The magnitude of the difference can be reduced with increasing empathy and urgency to know more. Flexibility: Having a flexible mindset helps in enhancing intercultural relationships within an organization. Having basic ideas about the different cultures involved can improve interpersonal communications amongst people from different cultures; this in turn helps in establishing an environment suitable for individuals across cultures, geographical locations and traditional barriers. Recognition of Diversity: Recognizing the existing differences in cultures and appreciating them equally helps in bridging the increasing inter-personal distance amongst different cultures in an organization. It portrays a more tolerant and respectful attitude towards all the employees, irrespective of race, culture, class and the likes. By recognizing various different cultures within an organization, employees from different backgrounds feel incorporated in the system, yet have their own unique identity. This way the organization comes off as a culturally competent organization in international business scenario. Conclusion To conclude, a productive workforce consists of a work environment that promotes diversity and balances the pressure of time and cost. In this case-scenario, lack of adequate cultural communication along with faulty company strategies that do not align with the different organizational processes, created a stringent miscommunication between the active participants. On one hand, it is absolutely essential to have an appropriate business strategy, exclusively dedicated to resolve the threat of supplier dependency; on the other hand, it is also necessary to formulate the strategy or align in accordance with the existing multicultural workforce. Intercultural miscommunication is a prominent challenge in todays business organizations, as more companies extend beyond geographical boundaries. With free flow of trade and employment, there is a concoction of ideas, practices, languages and customs. 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