Case Study 1: Conservation Model. (week 7)

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· Yolanda is a 55-year-old married African American mother of two adult children who has a history of breast cancer. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 2 years ago, after years of unexplained muscle aches and what she thought was arthritis. The diagnosis was a relief for her; she was able to read about it and learn how to care for herself. Over the past 2 months, Yolanda stopped taking all of her medicine, because she was seeing a new primary care provider and wanted to start her care at “ground zero.” In addition to her family responsibilities, she is completing her degree as an English major. At the time of her clinic appointment, she told the nurse practitioner that she was having the worst pain possible.

Using Levine’s conservation model, the nurse practitioner completes a comprehensive assessment in preparation for developing a plan of care. A thorough assessment of characteristics of the internal and external environments is performed, with assessment of the adequacy of the adaptive fit that Yolanda has achieved in response to the changing environmental conditions produced by this health challenge. Nursing care is planned using the conservation principles. Yolanda’s diagnosis of fibromyalgia was based on the cluster of presenting symptoms (pain, fatigue, and sleeplessness) and the exclusion of other illnesses.

The assessment of the internal environment (physiological and pathophysiological processes) was performed by a thorough physical examination and various laboratory and diagnostic tests. Yolanda’s tests results were within normal limits.

The external environment includes perceptual, operational, and conceptual factors. Perceptual factors are perceived through sensory input. Yolanda reported a history of unexplained fatigue and sensations of pain for years. She recently stopped her medications “to clean my body out.” However, she reported that the pain became unbearable and was making it difficult for her to sleep. She noted that when she sleeps at least 6 hours a night, her pain is less intense. With the current insomnia, her pain is very intense.

Operational factors are threats within the environment that the patient cannot perceive through the senses. Yolanda reported severe pain in response to both the cold weather and changes in barometric pressure.

The conceptual environment includes cultural and personal values about health care, the meaning of health and illness, knowledge about health care, education, language use, and spiritual beliefs. In response to breast cancer, Yolanda developed her spirituality through prayer and reading the Bible. She believes this is how she is getting through the painful moments of her current illness.

Conservation of energy focuses on the balance of energy input and output to prevent excessive fatigue. Yolanda complains of a fatigue that just “comes over me.” She has difficulty doing housework. A day of work usually means 1 day in bed because of extreme fatigue. Her hemoglobin level and hematocrit are normal; her oxygen saturation is also within normal limits. These normal physiological assessments are typical in patients with fibromyalgia.

Conservation of structural integrity involves maintaining the structure of the body to promote normal functioning. Fibromyalgia treatment focuses on reducing symptoms. Yolanda’s symptoms could not be traced to any physical or structural alteration, yet she reports severe pain and fatigue. It is important to acknowledge the reality of the symptoms and work with the patient to determine whether activities of daily living result in changes in the pattern of illness. In addition, Yolanda thinks she is going through menopause (a normal physiological change in body structure), and she is having trouble determining whether her symptoms are menopause or fibromyalgia.

With continued questioning, Yolanda revealed that she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome several years earlier. This condition presents further risks to structural integrity. She is not worried about constipation but is concerned about sudden diarrhea. She is afraid to go to school, fearing embarrassment because she might have an “accident.” Interventions to conserve structural integrity include interventions to promote normal bowel function and optimize Yolanda’s nutritional status.

Personal integrity involves the maintenance of one’s sense of personal worth and self-esteem. Yolanda reported that she “lost control” when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A dear friend convinced her to go to church and encouraged her to use prayer. When feeling sorry for herself, she would go into her bedroom and read her Bible, cry by herself, and pray. She believes that prayer and Bible reading helped her heal. She continues to pray and read her Bible to gain the strength she needs to live with her illness. She also believes that she needs to be able to laugh at aspects of her situation; humor helps her feel better. She actively seeks health information, as indicated by her quest to learn about her diagnosis of fibromyalgia. She is most upset about not being able to walk as she used to walk. One of her favorite pastimes was shopping for shoes at the mall, which now is difficult for her.

Social integrity acknowledges that the patient is a social being. Yolanda is a married mother of two grown children. She conceals many of her feelings from her children but does share with her husband, who is supportive. Among the ways that he cares for her are to take her places she needs to go (such as grocery shopping) and to make sure she gets to her health care appointments on time.

An initial plan of care for Yolanda includes interventions based on the four conservation principles:

• Conservation of energy: (1) Discuss strategies to balance rest and activity; (2) discuss strategies to help her achieve restful sleep; (3) discuss both nonpharmacological and pharmacological approaches to manage pain; and (4) assess her nutritional intake to ensure adequate energy stores.

• Conservation of structural integrity: (1) Discuss any needed modifications of activities to prevent injury; (2) assess diet to identify whether any foods exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms; (3) discuss the normal physiological process of menopause, including associated symptoms; and (4) consider additional laboratory work or referrals to evaluate hormone levels and assess whether additional treatment is indicated to relieve menopause symptoms.

• Conservation of personal integrity: (1) Validate the illness experience; (2) encourage continued use of prayer, Bible reading, and humor to help her feel better; and (3) discuss strategies to help her manage her anxiety related to the irritable bowel syndrome, including both nonpharmacological and pharmacological approaches.

• Conservation of social integrity: (1) Praise Yolanda for the strong family relationships that she has built and encourage her to continue to work together with her family to optimize her health; (2) with Yolanda’s permission, talk with her husband to answer his questions about her condition and discuss how they can continue to work together to improve her health; and (3) praise Yolanda for continuing to seek achievement of her goal of completing her English degree and discuss strategies to manage the irritable bowel syndrome and manage problems to help her feel more confident about going to school.

In Yolanda’s follow-up care, these outcomes suggest effective adaptation that is conserving wholeness and integrity:

• Feels rested, with 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep

• Reduction in pain and fatigue

Distinguishes symptoms of menopause from symptoms of fibromyalgia

Collaborates with health care providers to manage symptoms of menopause

Reports comfort as a result of prayer, Bible reading, and humor

Minimal adverse bowel symptoms and adequate nutritional intake

Healthy relationships with family and friends.

Attends school and participates in other social activities with minimal limitations.

This case study was developed from a fibromyalgia study (Schaefer, 2005). A fictitious name was used to protect privacy and anonymity.

Critical thinking activities

1. Are there any aspects of Yolanda’s care that you would add to the plan as you consider nursing care with the conservation principles?

2. Keep a reflective journal about a personal health or illness experience and apply the conservation model to that experience.

3. As you consider application of the conservation principles in question 2, what aspects of care are assessed that previously were not included in your plans of care?

5. Use the perspective of the conservation model to identify what may be missed in simulation experiences of nursing practice. What does it capture that other perspectives miss?

6. Suggest how you might begin to develop your style of nursing practice using the conservation model.

The Team Project Presentation

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The Team Presentation

Each Team is required to deliver an oral presentation in support of your project.  The presentation should be delivered in the form of an ‘Executive Summary’ and each team member must participate.

It should be in a PowerPoint (or equivalent option) format and include not more than fifteen (15) PowerPoint slides.  Each slide should be titled and contain between three to five (3-5) bullet points, with or without graphics (as you choose.)  The bullets should reflect the talking points around which you will deliver your presentation. 

The following slides titles are required all others are of your choosing:

  1. Your Names and the Course Information
  2. The Current Situation
  3. Recommendation
  4. Options Considered
  5. Goals and Objectives
  6. Assumptions
  7. Constraints
  8. Critical Success Factors
  9. The Estimated Cost(s) (Resource Requirements) for the Project
  10. The Expected Benefit(s) from the Project
  11. The Timeline

Each member of each team must deliver a five (5) minute presentation in support of your ‘Team’ business case.  This will require that you rehearse in advance to ensure that you are able to fit it into the allotted time frame.  Each of your bullet points should be supported with several key sentences.  The listeners should understand ‘what’ you plan to do and ‘why.’

As a team, combine each of the individual slide decks into a single team PowerPoint slide deck.  Be sure to arrange the slides in the order that the presentation should be delivered.

One member of the team must upload the competed team presentation to the ‘The Team Project Presentation (TEAM PROJECT)’ assignment drop box.

Week 4 Project 5/14

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First Steps on Becoming a Grassroots Lobbyist/Advocate for Health Care Policy

In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, you will imagine you are going to make a visit to your representative in Congress. There are two parts to this assignment.

Address the following topics:

  • Develop a one-page document that supports your position on the AHCA that you would leave with your representative or his or her aide when you make your visit.
    • This one-pager, also called a “leave behind,” should state your position clearly in bullet points and give your reasons why your position is preferred.
    • This “leave behind” should have 1 inch margins and utilize 14-point font throughout.
    • If you were making this visit in person, you would present your “leave behind” to the person with whom you speak during your visit.
    • Include a second page that describes your rationale for the position in your “leave behind” page supported by at least two journal articles.
  • Write a two-page brief to describe the scenario surrounding your legislative visit. Understanding the political affiliation of your representative, include answers to the following:
    • Was your member in support or in opposition to the AHCA?
    • State three points that you would cover in support or opposition to your representative’s position.
    • How does your nursing experience influence the advocacy position that you take on the AHCA?

You may find it necessary to search for answers to the questions outside of the assigned reading.

On a separate references page, cite all sources using APA format. Helpful APA guides and resources are available. Below are guides that are located in the library and can be accessed and downloaded via the South University Online Citation Resources: APA Style page. The American Psychological Association website also provides detailed guidance on formatting, citations, and references at APA Style.
• APA Citation Helper
• APA Citations Quick Sheet
• APA-Style Formatting Guidelines for a Written Essay
• Basic Essay Template

8. On the likely aftermath and long term effects of the coronavirus outbreak on business and society (Module 12)

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8. On the likely aftermath and long term effects of the coronavirus outbreak on business and society (Module 12)

This discussion board is devoted to the likely aftermath and long term consequences of the coronavirus for business and society. We will be posting some reading material related to this topic in Module 12. 

respond 1

 

Effects of the Coronavirus Outbreak on Business and Society

The coronavirus outbreak has not only led to a massive loss of life globally but also altered social and economic structures in a manner that will persist for a long time. As the pandemic continues devastating communities across the globe, wealth has emerged as the best defense against catastrophes. Wealthy individuals have invested in systems that allow them to work from home to minimize interactions and avoid contracting the virus (Bonacini et al., 2021). Less wealthy individuals cannot afford to stay at home because most of them rely on daily wages to meet their basic needs. Additionally, low-income earners might not avoid interactions because most of them live in places with crowded housing. Moreover, Covid-19 has increased the health burden on low-income earners while decreasing job opportunities. Therefore, the pandemic is likely to exacerbate the economic inequality in society because the rich are amassing more wealth while the poor are suffering from high unemployment.

Besides increasing inequality, the pandemic will transform working habits in the future owing to company responses to regulations aimed at curbing the virus’s spread. At the onset of Covid-19, governments established regulations to restrict people’s movement. These rules have changed business practices, promoting working from home and demonstrating the importance of technology in the corporate world. The change from working in offices to operating from home is likely to be permanent because most employers are beginning to question the purpose of a workplace. Over time, companies will establish effective policies to facilitate working from home, making it the new norm in business. Likewise, organizations will embrace technology more to serve customers who have shifted to online shopping to decrease physical interactions.

Reference

Bonacini, L., Gallo, G., & Scicchitano, S. (2021). Working from home and income inequality: Risks of a ‘new normal’ with COVID-19. Journal of Population Economics, 34(1), 303-360.

respond 2

 

ong Term Effects of COVID-19 on Business and Society

As we can and have seen, there have been and will continue to be long-term effects on how COVID-19 can and will impact business and society moving forward. Businesses will likely see a resurgence of possible re-closings. Depending on where you’re located in our country, many businesses that were able to re-open may have to close again due to sparks in new COVID-19 cases. While it seems more people are no becoming vaccinated, the likelihood of this is still very evident. Many companies have learned from initial closing that employee communication plans are extremely important and have since been developed. Best practices for closings and how to communicate those to employees are essential (PAYCHEX WORX, 2020).

Sadly, businesses must decide if furloughs or even permanent layoffs are necessary. Companies should be aware of the WARN Act which has federal, state and local mandates on how to go about this and it’s suggested that businesses should consult legal advice on how to proceed with this if necessary. Businesses must know how to contact unemployment agencies in the event that layoffs are immanent because workers are entitled to this benefit. Companies should also make their employees aware of possible support programs such as specialized trainings that displaced workers can get involved in to make them more marketable in the workforce.  

As you can see, there is a lot of burden on businesses to do the right thing as they should. While most of these things listed protect the worker, sadly, there isn’t much that is there to protect the business owner. As we’ve all seen since this pandemic began, many businesses have closed their doors because they simply no longer can stay afloat and pay employees and keep the businesses open. The destruction of small businesses in America has been one of the most horrific losses this country has seen in recent decades.

PAYCHEX WORX. (2020, September 9). Preparing Your Business for Long-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Retrieved from  https://www.paychex.com/articles/human-resources/preparing-business-for-effects-of-covid-19

marketing

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MARKETING ASSIGNMENT

INSTRUCTIONS:

The objective of the integrated semester is to help you extend your knowledge of how the 

finance, operations, management, and marketing disciplines work and how they integrate 

their functioning in the real world of business. This assignment is an assessment of how well 

you understand this integration. This assignment will be dealing with STARBUCKS and has 2 

parts.

Listed below you will find some WEAKNESSES and THREATS for Starbucks, read them 

carefully then proceed to answer the questions that follow: 

Starbuck Weakness:

1) Customers not willing to wait in long lines at stores during morning rush hour and 

lunch hour.

2) Coffee dominant business with a poor reputation for creativity around new product and 

companion product development.

3) Too dependent on word of mouth to create brand awareness.

Starbucks Threats: 

1) Better value offered by local coffee house shops and national companies like Dunkin 

Donuts and McDonalds McCafe.

2) Downturn in the economy can decrease customer traffic and spending.

• • • • •

PART I : MARKETING ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS 

1). Assume you are the Vice President of Marketing for Starbucks. Select 1 Weakness and 1 

Threat from the list provided above, and explain how you would recommend taking that 

selected weakness and turning it into a strength and the selected threat and turning it into an 

opportunity. 

Part 2:

Provide 2 explanations as follows:

2a) Explain how the weakness turned into a new strength would impact the 

disciplines of Marketing, Finance, Management and Operations.6

2b) Explain how the threat turned into a new opportunity would impact the 

disciplines of Marketing, Finance, Management and Operations.

3 page paper for IT Class due tomorrow (Information Technology)

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Due tomorrow 6/13  2 pm EST

Please be on time, Read instructions carefully, grad level work

APA style, please include references, ORIGINAL WORK

Please follow rubric

The company you work for is YieldMore 

Introduction:Quantitative risk assessment techniques are valuable tools for organizations. They provide management with solid numerical data regarding the value and potential loss of assets.This activity allows you to use quantitative risk assessment techniques for YieldMore.

Scenario:In order to help make better decisions regarding risk assessment data, senior management at YieldMore has requested quantitative information relatingto key information technology (IT) assets.Tasks:You, as an employee of YieldMore, have been given a task of providing quantitative risk assessment information to senior management.

Questions to answer in paper 1.Estimate the value of at least five key IT assets in the organization.2.Be sure you consider direct and indirect financial and business impact of the IT assets.3.Calculate the single loss expectancy (SLE) of the IT assets. (For this exercise, you will need to estimate this value.)4.Calculate the annual rate of occurrence (ARO) for risk associated with the IT assets. (For this exercise, you will need to estimate this value.)5.Calculate the annual loss expectancy (ALE) of the IT assets.6.Create a professional document to present your findings to senior management.Rubric:1.Did the teamcorrectly identify and estimate the value of at least five key IT assets in the organization?2.Did the teamcorrectly consider the direct and indirect financial and business impact of the IT assets?3.Did the teamcorrectlycalculate the single loss expectancy (SLE) of the IT assets and was their estimate reasonable? 4.Did the teamcorrectlycalculate the annual rate of occurrence (ARO) for risk associated with the IT assetsand was their estimate reasonable? 5.Did the teamcorrectlycalculate the annual loss expectancy (ALE) of the IT assets.6.Did the teamcreate a professional, well-developed report with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? 

Technological change is not additive; it is ecological. – apply the idea

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Each member of the group first needs to explain the idea in his/her own words, and then he/she will apply the idea to discuss the selected technology. Explanations demonstrate a very good understanding of the ideas. The presenters are able to apply the ideas to discuss the technology and no improvement required. Below is the idea.

The consequences of technological change are always vast, often unpredictable, and largely irreversible.

What happens if we place a drop of red dye into a beaker of clear water? Do we have clear water plus a spot of red dye? Obviously not. We have a new coloration to every molecule of water. That is what I (Postman) mean by ecological change. A new medium does not add something; it changes everything. That is why we must be cautious about technological innovation. 

Example: In the year 1500, after the printing press was invented, you did not have old Europe plus the printing press. You had a different Europe. After television, America was not America plus television. Television gave a new coloration to every political campaign, to every home, to every school, to every church, to every industry, and so on.

That is also why we must be suspicious of capitalists. Capitalists are by definition not only personal risk takers but, more to the point, cultural risk takers. The most creative and daring of them hope to exploit new technologies to the fullest and do not much care what traditions are overthrown in the process or whether or not a culture is prepared to function without such traditions. I say only that capitalists need to be carefully watched and disciplined. To be sure, they talk of family, marriage, piety, and honor but if allowed to exploit new technology to its fullest economic potential, they may undo the institutions that make such ideas possible. 

Example: It is clear by now that the people who have had the most radical effect on American politics in our time are not political ideologues or student protesters with long hair and copies of Karl Marx under their arms. The radicals who have changed the nature of politics in America are entrepreneurs in dark suits and grey ties who manage the large television industry in America. They did not mean to turn political discourse into a form of entertainment. They did not mean to make it impossible for an overweight person to run for high political office. They did not mean to reduce political campaigning to a 30-second TV commercial. All they were trying to do is to make television into a vast and unsleeping money machine. That they destroyed substantive political discourse in the process does not concern them.

   // YOUR CODE IN HERE

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SOMEWHERE:

LM 2 Assignment – Critical Reading

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Purpose:
To practice critical reading and demonstrate your ability to do it.

Skills:
This activity will assist you to read critically by

  • previewing the text
  • posing questions
  • annotating the text

Task:
Complete the following steps. 

Step 1. Log into Keiser’s e-Library Databases. Select EBSCO Database Platform.

Step 2. Locate the following article

Title: Prescription opioid medication misuse among university students

Authors: Harries, M. D., Lust, K., Christenson, G. A., Redden, S. A., & Grant, J. E.

3. Use the Citation Tools to obtain an APA citation for the article. Check it, and then paste it in Microsoft Word or into the submission area in Blackboard.

4. Read the first three paragraphs of the essay. Note: The abstract is not one of the first three paragraphs.

The first paragraph begins with “The misuse of prescription opioid medication is a growing health issue in the United States. In 2013, approximately 207 million opioid prescriptions were written, an increase from the 76 million opioid prescriptions written in 1991.”

The third paragraph ends with “Using this data, university student health centers may be better equipped to address opioid misuse on university campuses.”

5. With only the first three paragraphs, highlight key ideas, make notes, write questions, and so forth. You may complete Step 5 in one of two ways:

  • Print the article and annotate the first three paragraphs. Take a picture of the annotated pages and upload them here. OR,
  • Copy and paste the three paragraphs into MS Word. Annotate the first three paragraphs using the “Comment” function, highlighting the text, or inserting your own comments in bold text.

Submit either the picture(s) or the MS Word text here.

Criteria for Success:

  • Include an APA reference.
  • Demonstrate critical reading by making notes, highlighting, writing questions, making comments about your reactions, and so forth.
  • Submit it here. If your instructor feels this does not meet the quality for the assignment, he or she may require you to do it again.

busi 561 db forum 2 replies

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Can someone do a reply to this thread each THREAD 1000 WORDS A PIECE

 

Reply to the threads posted by 2 classmates who supported a different  balance, or used a different rationale than you did on at least 1 of  the issues under discussion. Identify the points of difference in your  analysis and explain how your application of the relevant law to the  facts of this situation led you to a different conclusion.

Each reply must be supported by 3 scholarly sources other than the  textbook/course materials. Each source must be properly cited in current  APA format.

Review the Assignment Instructions for Discussion  Board Forums, noting especially requirements for word counts, scholarly  sources, and biblical worldview integration.

Submit your replies by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.

FIRST THREAD NEEDED TO BE REPLIED TO

 

Michael Hall              
            

Discussion Board 2

How should a for-profit corporation balance its business needs with the needs of its customers?

                In a for-profit business the main goal is typically  to make money selling a product and then, where possible and profitable,  expand into new markets and make even more money. To do this, an  organization must have customers.  Having said that there needs to be a  balance between the company’s needs and the customer’s needs.  Philippians 2:4 (English Standard Version) states, “let each of you look  not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Should they ignore their customers then the customers will likely jump  ship and move to another company that is willing to listen to them.  Companies must start thinking of customer value strategically by  recognizing that every point of interaction with the customer affect the  perception of value and the company’s ability to deliver superior value  (McFarlane, 2013).  Thinking this way should prompt companies to focus  on customer satisfaction first and then towards growth once the customer  base is established.  With the guidance of scripture and through faith  and prayer Christian business owners can expect this to grow their  business as well. Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) reminds us,  “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to  harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” While this scripture is  often applied to personal growth and advancement, I feel it is  applicable to business dealings as well.

Do companies whose mission is primarily to create products on  which lives depend have a greater responsibility to tip the balance  toward the consumer more than toward themselves?

Pharmaceutical companies are among the most  well-known companies that manufacture products that are vital to the  health and welfare of the human populace. Some pharmaceutical companies  even have patents on chemical formulas that make them the one and only  supplier for that specific drug.  This puts these companies in the  spotlight more often than other companies. This is very similar to how  credit bureaus and credit card companies are under more scrutiny when it  comes to protecting personal information versus those companies that do  not deal primarily with privacy act information. For this reason, I  believe that these drug companies have an ethical or moral obligation to  tip the balance toward the consumer instead of themselves. Knowing that  it is the sole manufacturer of a lifesaving medicine should lead a  moral business owner to provide it at a price that most people can  afford. This is often not the case however as has been recently seen  when Mylan, one of the sole providers of Epinephrine injectors, decided  to raise the price of the EpiPen 200% over just 2 years.  This enraged  people so much that racketeering charges were brought up against the  company. On September 21, 2016, the House Committee on Oversight and  Government Reform held hearings at which Mylan’s Chief Executive  defended her company’s price increases (Cohen, 2016). The price hikes  were defended by showing market research showing the market would bear  the price, and that a cheaper alternative was in production and would be  on the market soon.  While the company was within it rights to do this,  it left many people unable to purchase the pens even with insurance  covering part of the cost.  This could have led to both kids and adults  not having access to the lifesaving medicine.  I think we can all agree  that this is ethically wrong. Legally though, companies have a right to  charge whatever they want for the products that people are willing to  purchase or what the market may bear.  Perhaps this will change one day  in the future.

If you were running such a company, looking through the lens of a Biblical worldview, how would you respond? 

As a Christian and using a biblical world view  I would have some serious reservations about setting prices so high as  to keep them out of the reach of most individuals.  Paul reminds us in 1  Corinthians 10:23 (English Standard Version) that, “All things are  lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not  all things build up.” Even thought the Supreme Court of the United  States has upheld the right of companies to pay to maintain their  monopolies (Grouse, 2014), and thus charge higher prices due to the lack  of competition, does not mean that I would keep the price so high to  maximize profits. If presented with proof that the product I was  manufacturing was out of range of most people and was the only one  available to them I would do everything in my power to bring the price  down to a reasonable level without sacrificing at least a minimal  profit.  Even though I want to turn a profit and I do have employees to  pay and overhead costs to contend with I think 800%+ mark-up over  manufacturing price is obscene.

References

Cohen, S.S. (2016). Soaring prescription drug prices. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 17(3), 115-117.

Grouse, L. (2014). Cost-effective medicine vs. the medical-industrial complex. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 6(9), 203-206.

McFarlane, D.A. (2013). The strategic importance of customer value. Atlantic Marketing Journal, 2(1), 62-75.

SECOND THREAD TO REPLY TO 

 

BUSI561: Intellectual Property Rights Discussion Board Forum 2

Jennifer Augustin

Liberty University

 

Corporate Balance of Business and Consumer Needs 

It  is essential for companies to constantly be progressing and continue  process improvement, those that remain stagnant, may succumb to an ever  changing world.  Customer relationship management (CRM)  is a strategy used in which customer and corporate needs are balanced.   By evaluating and addressing any deficiencies in the five dimensions of  service between expectations and reality by both the customer and  internal components, a company’s service quality could be improved  dramatically (Wang, 2008).  The five dimensions include:

tangibles  – the appearance of the physical facilities, personnel and  communication channels; reliability – the ability to provide accurate  and dependable service; responsiveness – willingness to assist customers  at a speedy and efficient manner; assurance – features that convey  trust and confidence; and empathy – readiness to provide each customer  with individualized attention and personalized service (Wang, 2008, p.  6).  

In turn, corporate profits have a higher likelihood to increase, as well as, customer satisfaction.  

Creator v. Consumer in the Creation and Management of Intellectual Property

Finding  the balance between pleasing the customer, while still turning a profit  is a constant struggle for companies.  Ethical practices and Christian  application may be put to the wayside in order to please the  stakeholders.  In the instance with intellectual property (IP) laws,  they may be used to protect other companies from “stealing” ideas and  create a stronghold in the marketplace, but one could argue that is can  dampen innovation. 

Romans  12:17-21 17 gives the example of fair business practices, and to do  what is right, not just by the stakeholders, but consumers as well.  

Do  not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the  eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live  at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave  room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will  repay,” says the LORD. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed  him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you  will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but  overcome evil with good.

Profit and Return on Investment for Company Owners/Shareholders

While  some may say unconventional, the free patent release approach have been  explored by companies in hopes of encouraging innovation (Ziegler, Gassmann, & Friesike, 2014).  

From  an IP strategy perspective, opening up the innovation process means  also to consider using IP, and especially patents, as a means to  exchange and share knowledge. Extant literature on open innovation  emphasizes that IP should be considered as an enabler of open innovation  instead of a disabler (Ziegler, Gassmann, & Friesike, 2014, p. 19) 

With  the patent release, it encourages economic growth, but also social  responsibility.  Companies that are acknowledged for their IP sharing  are viewed more positively and greater chance to enhance their corporate  reputation among other firms and the general public (Ziegler, Gassmann, & Friesike, 2014).  

Social Responsibility of Protecting Lives 

IP  laws protect from infringement on trademarks, patents and copyrights.   Though the intent behind is to protect those that have created or  developed a unique product or idea, the vagueness of all that is  protected is under scrutiny, some claiming too difficult to innovate  with the fear a product or idea is too similar to competitors (Kubasek, Browne, Barkacs, Herron, & Dhooge, 2016).   

Mylan  found itself in hot water when it raised the price of life saving  EpiPen by 400%.  The makers cited material cost increase and investment  on operational research were the contributing factors.  A public outcry  was heard around the country.  Mylan has essential monopolized the  epinephrine distribution device market.  While nearly impossible to put a  price on a life, some families were forced to choose between the life  saving device or putting food on the table.  A drug company such as  Mylan, must find the balance of still pleasing shareholders, but also  providing medical devices that are affordable for individuals.  The  price hike has even garnered the attention of Congress, raising the  question of the ethical and lawful acts of pharmaceutical pricing (Lyon, 2016).

Patent  design of the product is what prevents other companies from replicating  ideas in the autoinjector epinephrine market place.  The usage of an  unexposed needle and simple procedural design, allows users for quick  and relatively easy administering.  In contrast, EpiPens main (former)  competitor, the Twinject, is a little more complex in administering the  drug.  The exposed needle and two cap design may take away valuable  seconds in a life threating situation (Guerlain,  Hugine, & Wang, 2010).  In a study conducted with 48 individuals of  various ages, genders and background knowledge, were given 1 hour to  read the instructions for 4 epinephrine autoinjection devices, 2 were  prototypes, 1 EpiPen and 1 Twinject.  One of the prototypes provided a  voice prompt system as to what to do in an anaphylaxis situation, with  step by step instructions given, the success rate was far greater than  any of the other 3.  If a patent was to be provided for this type of  instruction, it may limit the effectiveness of other lifesaving  devices.   

Finding the Balance Between Pleasing Stakeholders but Garnering a Consumer Following to Continuing Existence of the Company

Various  studies conducted have concluded it is far less expensive and labor  intensive to maintain positive customer relationships, vice seeking new  customers.  The use of the 80-20 rule 

recognizes that approximately 80% of profits come from 20% of the top customers (Kotler & Keller, 2016).  The  thought process of a consumer was studied and was able to conclude that  even if a product was more expensive, a previous positive experience  will increase the likelihood of a repeat purchase (Yoon, 2009).   Positive brand recognition may influence a buyer’s choice to initially  go with a product, but an overall satisfactory experience will encourage  a customer loyalty. 

An  example of garnering a vast group of loyal customers is the outdoor  equipment and apparel company, Patagonia.  Patagonia prides itself on  ethical practices that cause no undo harm on the environment, while  still creating a product that is of high quality and yet still  fashionable.  While sticking to its core ethics, the approach appeals to  both stakeholders and customers.  The progressive movement to protect  the environment and still hear out the needs of the customer have led to  a large profit margin and continuous growth (Patagonia’s Mission Statement, n.d.).   

Biblical Integration Importance While Running a Company

Matthew  11:28-30 28 shows the compassion in which a company should show,  especially if the company produces lifesaving devices.  Though a company  relies on profits, that should not be the only motivating factor.  

Come  to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in  heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and  my burden is light (NIV).

Relevant Law for Protecting Intellectual Property of the Company

In  conjunction with 18 U.S. Code § 1832, 15 U.S.C. § 1125, and 17 U.S.C.  §101, offers protection of intellectual property of trade secrets,  copyrights and trademarks to ideas, concepts and products.  

Needs of Patients, Practitioners, And Society

The author, Pray, investigated  the effects of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), more specifically  the potential of an infringement with developing countries.  Growth and  innovation may be limited if ideas and research may not be shared  (2005).  The enticement of highly skilled workers could happen if there  is substantial economic growth, as well as, the likelihood of further  funding for research.  IPRs may affect the way idea sharing or research  is conducted, but given the opportunity, advancements and economic  growth can occur, especially in developing nations. 

 

References

Guerlain,  S., Hugine, A., & Wang, L. (2010). A comparison of 4 epinephrine  autoinjector delivery systems: Usability and patient preference. PMC,  172-177. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2009.11.023

Kotler, P. T., & Keller, K. L. (2016).  Marketing management  [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from 

            https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780133856606/ 

Kubasek,  N. K., Browne, M. N., Barkacs, L., Herron, D., & Dhooge, L. (2016).  Biblical Worldview Edition of Dynamic Business Law. N. J. Kippenhan  (Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.

Lyon, J. (2016). Significant increases in EpiPen price. Jama, 316(14), 1439-1439. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14178

Patagonia’s Mission Statement. (n.d.).  Retrieved June 22, 2018, from             http://www.patagonia.com/company-info.html

Wang,  M. (2008). Measuring e-CRM service quality in the library context: A  preliminary study. The Electronic Library, 26(6), 896-911.  doi:10.1108/02640470810921655

Yoon,  H. J., Thompson, S. S., & Parsa, H. G. (2009). Bayesian approach to  assess consumers’ brand selection process and identification of brand  attributes in a service context. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 28(1), 33-41.  doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2008.03.003

Ziegler, N., Gassmann, O., & Friesike, S. (2014). Why do firms give away their patents for free? World Patent Information, 37(June 2014), 19-25. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wpi.2013.12.002