Commodification vs. Commoditization

Commodification vs. Commoditization Commodification vs. Commoditization Commodification vs. Commoditization By Maeve Maddox When I first encountered the word commoditization, I thought it was just an ugly synonym for commodification. I’ve discovered that–in American business parlance– commoditization is not at all synonymous with commodification. The Oxford English Dictionary has separate entries for both nouns, but assigns commoditization the same definition as commodification: the action of turning something into, or treating something as, a (mere) commodity; commercialization of an activity, etc., that is not by nature commercial. American usage would agree with this as a definition of commodification, but commoditization receives a different definition in Merriam-Webster: commoditization: to render (a good or service) widely available and interchangeable with one provided by another company. In a business context, commoditization occurs when a manufacturer’s product or a provider’s service loses its initial uniqueness in the market. The Web abounds with articles about this phenomenon: Avoiding the Black Hole of Commoditization How Dow Corning Beat Commoditization By Embracing It How to Avoid The Commoditization Trap Software Commoditization vs. Customization 4 Ways Energy Utilities Companies can Beat Commoditization For the consumer, a commodity is merchandise, something to be purchased. For the businessman, a commodity is a product or service that a consumer feels is interchangeable with any other of the same type. Bottom line: Commodification is putting a price on things that shouldn’t have a price, things like friendship, knowledge, and beautiful women. Commoditization is what happens when a name brand is perceived as being no more desirable than the store brand. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Farther vs. FurtherThe Letter "Z" Will Be Removed from the English Alphabet20 Slang Terms for Law Enforcement Personnel

Linguistics Course Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Linguistics Course Work - Essay Example Hudson (2000) points out that the use of anaphora is also influenced by the nature of the topic and the context of the discussion. In this perspective, the use of anaphora can also be utilized as a means of determining the nature and purpose of the conversation or discourse In the example given, anaphoras are used through the repetitive use of the same words or reference to bind the discourse by local syntactic operation (Napoli, 2003). The most dominant anaphora used in the exchange is with the use of pronouns. The car is referred to as it by both the husband in the 1st and 3rd dialogue and by the wife in the 2nd dialogue. Other anaphora used in the discourse include the one in the 4th dialogue, "up at the crack of dawn, and not home till mid-evening", where VP-ellipsis is used by the wife. As was seen in the example, language is not just a simple exchange but also involves a system that is as rich in meaning and value as the conversation itself. John Langshaw Austin, the author of the Speech Act Theory, is one of the linguists that supported the study of the manner by which words are used to derive meaning of discourses. ... Akmajian (2001) says that through the use of syntactical features, the participants in a discourse are able to maintain the context of their conversation allowing the consistency of thoughts and ideas. Some examples of syntactical features that are commonly used are anaphoric, cataphoric and deictic elements. It can also be achieved through logical tense structures, presuppositions and implications connected to general world knowledge. Anaphors and Cohesion The use of anaphora may vary according to the familiarity of the speakers to the subject and too each other. Hudson (2000) points out that the use of anaphora is also influenced by the nature of the topic and the context of the discussion. In this perspective, the use of anaphora can also be utilized as a means of determining the nature and purpose of the conversation or discourse In the example given, anaphoras are used through the repetitive use of the same words or reference to bind the discourse by local syntactic operation (Napoli, 2003). The most dominant anaphora used in the exchange is with the use of pronouns. The car is referred to as it by both the husband in the 1st and 3rd dialogue and by the wife in the 2nd dialogue. Other anaphora used in the discourse include the one in the 4th dialogue, "up at the crack of dawn, and not home till mid-evening", where VP-ellipsis is used by the wife. Austin and Grice As was seen in the example, language is not just a simple exchange but also involves a system that is as rich in meaning and value as the conversation itself. John Langshaw Austin, the author of the Speech Act Theory, is one of the linguists that supported the study of the manner by which words are used to derive meaning of discourses. His assumptions were based

Business Mission Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Mission - Term Paper Example so because it has proved that information and technology not only results in business establishments realizing higher profits but it also makes work easier for workers thus reducing ion operational cost greatly. Despite there being a need for provision of information and technology solutions, cost has become a de-motivating factor that results in many company’s especially small sized ones to opt not to seek the services of information and technology solution companies. This is so since normally the cost of both implementation and maintaining of information and technology infrastructure is usually high making no sense since it does not reduce the cost of operation. Therefore, the company’s primary goal is to provide affordable information and technology solutions to companies of any size at reasonable costs. This will be through taking advantage of advancement in technology that has resulted in the reduction of the implementation of information and technology solutions. For example, Total Solutions will optimise the use of cloud computing which will be instrumental in significantly reducing the cost of implementation since business establishment will not be required to purchase unnecessary hardware such as servers. The company will be backing up respective clients data remotely through cloud computing. The company’s stakeholders are private investors who were gotten as the business idea was pitched to them. The government is also a silent stakeholder in the fact that it has not invested in the company. However, it has provided the company with a soft loan since it realized the importance of providing information and technology so lutions at affordable cost. Thus, the mission statement for the company is providing affordable and quality total solutions for business establishment. In the short-range the corporation is expected to be among the top 100 midsized companies in the country. This is in tandem with its strategic plan where it will start off by

Macro Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Macro Economics - Essay Example INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THE ARTICLE: The article summarizes current situation of the economy of United States and comment on the different policies and initiatives taken by the government. Writer, with the help of this article, wants to explain the changing attitude of the consumers in the market of United States. The ongoing decreases in the income level have resulted in generation of feelings against the government of United States. There has been around 9.8 percent decline in the national income, for the period starting from recession till June 2011, which is highest in previous some decades (Pear). Although there have been slight improvement in the unemployment rate, the overall wage rate has been stagnant or decreasing. Different factors have been identified for this by the writer like increasing number of people looking for jobs, people are ready to work at low wages, and the wage rate per hour is not able to cover the increase in the overall cost because of inflation (Pear). Along with this the writer has presented the ideas of different economists and analysts, who are of the view that recession has not yet ended for the economy of United States of America. People are facing serious issues because of the lack of jobs and reduced wage rates. As a result the overall spending has also decreased. EVALULATION AND EXPLANATION OF THE ARTICLE: In the article, Pear has provided different statistics in order to prove the decline in the overall household income and take home wages. Article presents different reasons behind the decline of this wage rates and national income. One main reason is the growing unemployment rate, there are increasing number of people who are looking for jobs out there. Owing to the increase in the unemployment rate, people working in different organizations cannot demand for salary increase. Unemployed people are ready to work at low wage rates, which further put downward pressure on the average wage rates in United States. This change can be explained with the help of the concept of supply and demand in the labor market. It has been known through the concept of the Marginal Productivity, that there is an inverse relationship between the wage rate and the demand of the labor. On the other hand the supply of the labor is directly related with the wage rate. If the supply of the labor is more than the demand of the labor, a situation which results in unemployment, the overall wage rates in the economy decrease considerably (Mankiw, 376-388). The decreased wage rate and increasing unemployment level has direct impact on the consumption and spending of the consumers which in turn influence the total GDP and output of any economy. The total output or GDP consists of different components namely: private consumption, government spending, investments, and net exports i.e. exports minus the imports (Leamer, 44-45). GDP = C + I + X – M Private consumption is related to the level of earnings of the people. The disposa l income is the income earned by people after paying the taxes (Arnold, 209). The consumption is equal to disposal income plus savings. C = Yd + S Consumption function describes the direct relationship between private consumption and disposal income. Slope of the consumption function is known as the marginal propensity to consume, which explains the change in consumption because of the change in disposal income (Wessels, 139-141). C = a + bYd Where: a =

Accounting Information System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Accounting Information System - Essay Example As per the system, all the 30 transactions have been processed, starting from the Journal entries to adjustments, to trial balance, to profit and loss statement and finally the balance sheet, reflecting the effectiveness of the information processing system. The company has invested all the prize money in the business and constantly strives to enhance its products' sales. The money invested has been utilised towards purchase of different products to be resold to customers at a different price. The business has recorded a 25% gross profit margin on total sales, which is a sign that the company is using its investment in an effective way to generate profits. The resulting net loss of the company is due to the expenses incurred by the company on wages and rent. This tendency should be curbed to maintain a profit level for the company in future. However, this doesn't at all symbolise the ineffectiveness of business operations, as the company has recorded a sufficient level of sales and gross profit, but the operating expenses amounted to more than the gross profit. Therefore, the net loss of this period can easily be converted to profit by minimising and reducing the operating expenses and maintaining the current sales level.

Leadership Styles and Motivational Theories for Small Businesses Coursework

Leadership Styles and Motivational Theories for Small Businesses - Coursework Example Motivational Theories for a Small Business Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs One of the best known motivational theories is known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. According to Abraham Maslow, human beings have some basic needs which occur according to the level of their importance. The lowest needs in the hierarchy of needs that must be met first include food, water, air, sleep, and sex. The next level after the first hierarchy involves needs such as safety and security, followed by other social needs such as self-esteem. The highest level in the hierarch has self-actualization needs (Hatten 2011, p. 415). Small business entrepreneurs should be aware that their workers will not always demand these needs in a similar manner and in the same order. There are instances whereby employees will be at different levels of needs in different instances. However, sometimes the needs may occur simultaneously. To cater to the varying employee needs, a variety of ways to motivate their behav ior are required. For instance, the use of money to motivate employees can pose challenges at the work place. In most small business environments, money is seen as providing basic physiological needs but not being important for the employee to achieve other needs in the hierarchy. ... ow’s theory helps entrepreneurs to learn that in the process of motivating their employees, they should recognize that people have needs that arise suddenly and continue to require attention until they are satisfied. Employees can have lower end needs that must be met before they concentrate on a higher level need. Employees must have good food, water and air before they begin to achieve social needs at the workplace. Socialization at the workplace cannot be attained when the lower end needs in the hierarchy, which are important, are not met (Miner 2007, p. 27). Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory Another important theory of motivation in the small businesses is known as Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. Small business entrepreneurs can benefit from this theory since it states that the factors that produce job satisfaction are not the same as those that motivate employees to excel. Herzberg referred to the factors that cause employees to feel good about thei r job as job hygiene factors. Job hygiene factors such as safe working conditions and reasonable pay should be met at the workplace. In addition, the presence of these factors leads to contentment among employees but may not motivate them to excel. True motivation at workplace may require factors such as recognition, advancement, or job enrichment (Hatten 2011, p. 415). The most important aspect to consider in motivating employees for the small businesses is to know what is important to them. For instance, if the entrepreneur avails a motivational reward that is not appropriate to the employees, it may look like a form of punishment (Miner 2007, p. 27). Leadership Style for a Small Business Many scholars and leadership experts argue that leadership is the driving force of any organization. This is because

Review paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Review paper - Essay Example Their shape varies from simple helical and icosahedral (polyhedral or near-spherical) forms, to more complex structures with tails or an envelope. Viruses infect cellular forms of life and are grouped into animal, plant and bacterial viruses. There always been a discussion whether viruses are living organisms. Some consider them non-living as they do not meet the criteria of the definition of life. For example, unlike most organisms, viruses do not have cells. However, viruses have genes and evolve by natural selection. The viruses mutate and compete. They have been described as organisms at the edge of life. The main feature of virus is that it usually destroys or modifies the cell it infects , thus exist as a potential agent that could afflict mankind and cause numerous dieseases as ranging from common cold, rabies, small pox, mumps, polio ,chicken pox , measles, rubella, hemorrhagic fevers to the Acquired Immuno Deficiency syndrome. Viral infections in human as well as animal hosts usually result in an immune response and disease. Often, a virus is completely eliminated by the immune system. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, but antiviral drugs have been developed to treat life-threatening infections. Vaccines th at produce lifelong immunity can prevent virus infections. The main area still now developed in antiviral therapy to stop the viral replication is targeted either on viral replication or the process of polyprotein clevage. Over a long period of known human history terrible epidemics involved humanity. The flu, smallpox, and plague killed millions of people. The epidemics of â€Å"Black Death† in the 14th century killed almost one third of Europe’s population. These terrible epidemics left traces in the genome of populations. There appeared a probability to resist diseases. Scientists find new surprising abilities of immunity to resist viral attacks. In this paper I would like to discuss some of the