Analysis of Whole Foods Markets feedback loops

The industry in which Whole Foods Market operates is very competitive. It is a fact that this firm has managed this competition very well by creating a niche in the market and developing special products for this niche. However, it is important for the management to realize that success is a process that requires an understanding of the prevailing conditions and making relevant changes whenever this is necessary.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The environment has been very dynamic due to various changes brought about by various forces. The market is heavily affected by political, economic, social and technological forces which continue to change quite often. According to Kratschmer (2011), technology has changed various factors in the production process, their transportation and marketing strategies. There has also been a change in the political leadership in this country. The changing socioeconomic factors in the United States also have direct impact on the operations of this firm. For the firm to be successful, it must find a way through which it can respond to these forces in a way that would help it become stronger than its competitors in the market. This organization must be able to learn new better ways and identify opportunities in the market by having a system that would relay a feedback about various forces in the market. This paper involves analyzing Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops and organizational learning opportunities. This research study will focus on the reinforcing loop and balancing loop that play off within this firm to enhance its growth. Reinforcing Loop According to Spulber (2007), reinforcing loop mostly take place without the knowledge of the relevant stakeholders. This scholar says that there are some effects that have a compounding impact when they are allowed to take place. Reinforcing loop can have a positive or negative impact on a firm depending on its nature. This scholar says that this effect may start mildly that the management may not realize. It may come to their knowledge when it is too late or when the effect has created massive impact. At Whole Foods Market, this has been witnessed. The growth of market share of this firm may be considered as a reinforcing loop. Whole Foods Market was founded in 1980 by John Mackey. When he started this firm, Mackey did not have a lot of resources to fight the giant firms that had already developed in the market by that time. However, this entrepreneur knew what the market wanted and was determined to offer exactly that. According to Morecroft (2007), it is always more difficult to retain customers than it is to make them have their first purchase.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is because there are cases where a customer would be left with no choice but to make a purchase at the store because of limited choices. Other customers would also be interested in making their first purchase on the basis of their curiosity. However, retaining a customer requires a deep understanding of the market, and the ability of the concerned firm to convince the market that what it offers is the best. The growth of the market share can be attributed to the dedication that the management and employees of this firm had towards satisfying their customers. It was mentioned that a reinforcing loop has a compounding effect. It actually works in the same manner as interest and principal. As the rate of interest increases, so will the principal. The increased interest will be added to the principal who will in turn increase the interest. If this circle is not put to an end, the principal will massively increase. This is the same thing that has been happening with the market share of this firm. At first, Whole Foods Market did not have a solid customer base that it could consider loyal. However, the management did not focus on growing its market share. The management and all the employees focused on offering value to the customers whenever they visited their outlet. The management was keen to understand market needs and offer products which meet their needs. As they did this, a virtuous cycle was being created. A customer who got satisfied with the service of the firm would become a loyal customer of Whole Foods Market. Their loyalty would not stop with making regular purchase at this store. The customers would invite other customers to come and share the thrilling experience at this firm. One of the factors that attracted customers to this firm was their conviction towards delivering products that are healthy to consumers and their insistence on protecting the health of their patients. One customer would invite another, the invited customer would invite ano ther and the chain would continue. Although the management of this firm used advertising to market their brand and product offering in the market, one of the main factors that propelled this firm towards its current success was the evangelism that its customers involved in after making a purchase from its stores. This reinforcing loop effect has also enabled this firm expand rapidly in the European market. This is a confirmation to ABC Company that Whole Foods Market is a firm that is destined for more success in future.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Balancing Loop According to Dettmer (2007), balancing loop is always very important towards ensuring that a firm grows in the market. In an organization, growth is only common when the management can set a desired goal that should be achieved within a particular time. Sett ing a new stated- also referred to as the desired state- involves a number of activities. It always starts by understanding the current state of the organization. It is only possible to set a desired state when the current state is known. When this is done, it would then need the concerned authority to determine the desired state. This would mean that the management would create a gap between the current state and the desired state. When this is done, then there will be the movement from the current state to the desired state in a bid to eliminate the gap created. Several factors have happened within this organization that can trace their development through balancing loop. However, one of the striking factors has been goal setting and the behavior that always accompanies this. There has been a massive controversy over the health effects of genetically modified foods. A section of the market believes that genetically modified foods are very safe for consumption, while the other sect ion believes that such foods are very harmful in the long run. The management of Whole Foods Market has been concerned with this issue. In 2010, the management of this firm started a research into this issue with an aim of coming up with a finding that would help determine the right path that this firm should take. The report was finally compiled on March 2013. In this report, the team tasked with this function first defined the current state of this firm. The team realized that there are some states where Whole Foods Market was stocking genetically modified foods while in others it did not. It all depended on the laws of that particular state and the general perception of the public towards these foods. The next step was to determine the desired state. The team realized that the desired state was not to eliminate the genetically modified foods from their stores, but to label them as a way of alerting the customers that what they are buying is genetically modified. The management re alized that for this to be achieved, there had to be a change of attitude of employees towards genetically modified foods. Originally, the firm had created a culture where people within this firm believed that genetically modified food was not good.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This attitude had to change in order to achieve a change of behavior of the employees towards this type of food. To achieve this, the management launched an internal awareness campaign to help employees change their behavior towards genetically modified foods. The desired state was to change the behavior of the employees towards genetically modified foods in order to convince them that these foods could be sold to customers who considered them good for consumption. The only responsibility of this firm would be to inform its customers that they were genetically modified. This change of attitude of the employees has helped this firm achieve its goals in the market. References Dettmer, H. (2007). The logical thinking process: A systems approach to complex problem solving. Milwaukee: ASQ Quality Press. Kratschmer, P. (2011). Organizational Culture is Highly Resistant to Change. New York: GRIN Verlag. Morecroft, J. (2007). Strategic modeling and business dynamics: A feedback systems appr oach. Chichester: Wiley Sons. Spulber, D. (2007). Global Competitive Strategy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. This case study on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops was written and submitted by user Linda Robbins to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

PD-H-PE Assignment essays

PD-H-PE Assignment essays It origins/history- Homeopathy was developed during the 1790s by a Samuel Hahnemann, a German who was a physician. Hahnemann who while experimenting on himself with a anti-malarial drug, noticed that large doses of the drug caused the malaria-like symptoms while smaller doses cured the symptoms. Hahnemann then advanced his theory Similia similibus curentur, or let like be cured with like. He then developed an extensive system of medicine based on this concept and named it homeopathy, from the Greek words homois (the same) and pathos (suffering). How it works- There is no real scientific reason for homeopathy working although there are quite a number of theories, none have been scientifically proved. Functions/purpose of treatment- The purpose of homeopathy is to cure the patients who use it on physical, mental and emotional levels. It is also made for the purpose of using it on young children who benefit from not taking drugs and antibiotics instead. Popularity- Homeopathy is very popular with vets, because some drugs may be to strong for weak animals. At the turn of this century 15% of physicians were homeopathic physicians. Medical standing in the community- Homeopathys standing in the community is about 50-50. Some doctors and people believe it and some believe that it does not give any relief or cure to the patients. Those people believe that the patient is convinced that he or she is cured when it is merely an illusion. The providers of the service- Homeopaths are the providers of the homeopathic service, but some western doctors do practice homeopathy and western medical treatments. Cost of the treatment- Homeopathy can range from $135-$525 AUS. Dollars for a full session. Your personal opinion/view- My personal opinion and view is that homeopathy is a good treatment that works, as I myself have had it a few times. I believe it is stupi ...

Investment Decision Selection Hyundai Motors & Brazil Essay

Investment Decision Selection Hyundai Motors & Brazil - Essay Example In contrast, China, one of the fastest emerging economies in the world, tries to save its domestic industries from foreign competition by imposing operational restrictions to foreign businesses. However, today China is removing such operational regulations so as to attract more potential global investors. Balance of payments (BoP) is an accounting record that keeps all trade or monetary transactions between a nation and the rest of the world. Some economists opine that the concept of balance of payments would help to analyze the difference between a country’s total exports and total imports. It is considered that a country has positive balance if it maintains a surplus of exports over imports. According to the Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign trade, the country kept a positive balance in 2011 by maintaining exports of US$ 256 billion over its US$226 billion imports. Reports also indicate that this approximately 30 billion surplus achieved by the country is the highest since 2007 (EcoHouse). This positive balance of payments can be directly linked to international flow of goods, services, and capital. While analyzing the Brazilian offshoring sector, it seems that the country has a range of competitive advantages in the IT and software industries. He nce many foreign companies outsource their IT and software related projects to Brazil. In addition, the country has better human capital strengths. The Brazilian government provides industrialists with extensive subsidies for R&D activities because the government greatly enhances innovations. In short, it can be stated that the country’s domestic economic behavior is favorable for international trade, which in turn facilitates cross border flow of goods, services, and capital. As it is claimed, â€Å"international flow of goods and services and the international flow of capital constitute the sum total

Role of the Government in the Prevention of Recession Essay

Role of the Government in the Prevention of Recession - Essay Example This wall was constructed in the 1640s by the Dutch. History has it that the West Indians from the West Indian Company bought the Manhattan land from their predecessors by paying them with goods worth $25. This took the Indians that lived in Manhattan then by surprise because to them land could not be privately owned. When they realized that the Dutch West Indian company had taken their land, they began to demand their land back. For this reason, the Dutch Indians constructed the wall to keep the Lenape Indians out. Lenape is the name used for the people that lived in Manhattan. The Dutch Indians made use of the African slaves, and the white colonists to construct the wall to a height of 12 foot by 1.1 km length, all along the length of the original fortifications (Gigante?s, 99). The Wall Street developed into a business location around the year 1685 when traders used to gather in distinct locations to purchase and sell bonds and shares. Over time, the trade developed, and there was the specialization of these merchants into dealers and auctioneers. The Wall Street also became a place where people hired slaves. Due to these continued trading activities on this street, the New York City Common Council declared Wall Street to be a slave market, where people could buy slaves or hire them. In the year 1792, the formation of the Buttonwood Agreement led to the formation of the New York Stock Exchange. Over the centuries, the Wall Street developed its own institutions and individual personality with very little interference from other societies, or none at all. Within these years, there has also been many changes on the wall street. At first, there was the development of the agricultural trade, and then came the industrial, and finally there was the financial development, in the 19th century. In 1888, the stock exchange started to be tracked. In the early years of the20th century, there was the construction of business buildings, which were skyscrapers. The 20th cen tury also saw the introduction of taxes on stocks transfers, though this was protested by stock clerks. The Wall Street is currently the centre of the largest stock exchange market in the world. In the 19th century, there was the development of a class of businessmen that were very wealthy. This extremely wealthy class used brutal and dishonorable ways to maintain their dominance in the major industries. This was referred to as the as the robber barons. For instance, they exploited the workers of industries such as the railroads, petroleum mad steel among others. These industries became monopolies due to exploitation by these robber barons (Gigante?s, 89). This period of domination by the robber barons lasted for a while, but people rebelled against their dominance; thus they were brought under control. For instance Cornelius Vanderbilt, subjugated the whole of the transport industry of the united states. He amassed a lot of wealth from his domination of the fleet of steamboats; the also owned and dominated the railroads. Cornelius Vanderbilt was said to be the richest man in the united states in the year 1877. Robber barons were also used to refer to the German lords who charged tolls on the roads that crossed their lands. Some also charged huge toll on the ships. The year 1929 brought about a turn in the economic history of the United States. During this time, the New York Stock Exchange experienced a financial crisis that had ever been experience. There were huge losses that were made during this time. This was also known as the â€Å"Black Tuesday†. It started in October 1929 and extended for a long time. This crash in the New York Stock Exchange lasted for ten years. This would lead to negative effects on the industrialization of most of

Maintainanse of relationship Essay Example for Free

Maintainanse of relationship Essay The social exchange theory assumes relationships provide both rewards (e.g. sex, affection, intimacy) and costs (e.g. time, energy, money). Everyone tries to max reward for min costs. If a relationship is to continue, people expect the partner to reward them as much as they do. Therefore, the greater the rewards and lower the costs, the more attractive the relationship is. How to judge whether the rewards worth more than costs or vice versa depend on the Comparison Level (CL). CL is the overview of what to expect in the exchange from our past experience. If the person has a bad relationship before, he/she will expect little from the current partner; How satisfactory a person feels depends on the rewards (e.g. sex) and costs (e.g. argument) involved if they have another relationship with someone else (CL alt). The equity theory extends this view. It proposed that people strive for fairness between rewards costs. So, a person expects the same proportion of rewards to their costs; otherwise they will feel distress. This theory can account for individual differences as people have diff. view towards rewards and costs and so what is acceptable may not apply to others. For example, Argyle found that many women feel less satisfied when they are over-benefited in a relationship, whereas many males feel little dissatisfaction. Therefore, it becomes very useful in explaining extreme cases where some people in very unhappy relationship do not dissolve, yet those in mediocre marriages do- this is because the investment is high (e.g. children) and the alternatives are low (e.g. no money) and so people tend to stay (Rusbult). However, the claim that people constantly strive for rewards as motivation to maintain relationship has suggested people are selfish and self-centred in relationships. Yet it may be true to the Western individualistic cultures which emphasises on personal interests, but may not apply to non-western collectivistic cultures. This is because they emphasise on group values and so personal selfish concerns become socially undesirable. Therefore these theories are only relevant to Western cultures (Moghadamm et al). Another theory, the socio-biological theories, states that our behaviours are the result of evolution in order to max the chance of passing on the genes. This would mean all relationships are evolved to increase the survival of individuals and opportunities for successful reproduction. Buss suggested that women often seek older, successful men because these men can support them and their children; whereas men prefer younger women because they are likely to be more fertile than older ones. After successfully pass on the genes, we have to protect them so as to max the chance to pass on further. So we are evolved to form close families to protect our children as they shared genes with us. The closer the genes, the more we prepare to sacrifice to protect them. This is the kin-selection which suggests survival of an individuals genes is ensured by helping close relatives to survive. The claim for kin-selection is supported by Fellner Marshalls study who found that 80% of parents are willing to donate their kidneys to their children. This shows that people with the closest generic relationships (i.e. parents children) are willing to sacrifice to protect each other for their survival, thus support kin-selection. Therefore, this theory has made the specific nature of family worldwide- the enormous resources and energy devoted to children- explainable. This means it appears to gain validity. However, such validity is limited because it cannot explain other common relationships such as homosexuals and close friendships. If the claim that relationships are to reproduce successfully is true, it will not apply to homosexuals as they cannot pass on genes. Furthermore, Grajek found that women love their best friend more than their partners. This cannot be explained by this theory as friends outside relatives cannot help pass on genes and so should be as important as their partner. Grajeks contradictory findings have made this theory insufficient to explain most relationships.

Sheriffs Aims in Journeys End :: R.C. Sheriff Journeys End Literature War Essays

Sheriff's Aims in Journey's End What were Sheriff’s aims in writing Journey’s End and how successful was he in achieving those aims? Drama has been popular for ages because it is very entertaining. Another important feature of a drama is that they provide a message. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the most popular dramas in the world and is of a romance genre. It was written by the great writer, Shakespeare in 1595. ‘Journey's End’ is a play which portrays a picture of life in the First World War trenches. R C Sheriff’s main aim was to provide a moral message and to show an effective piece of drama. The drama also entertained the audience. Sheriff has been very successful in providing a moral message to the audience. He uses different ways to portray the message. One of the ways is that he uses the characters, how they feel being in trenches, with all the pressure and the bombarding. All the characters have the 'war fever', they don’t like living this way for too long, they are all frightened and would prefer being home with their families. We can see the fear clearly in the character of Hibbert when he says to Stanhope "Go on, then, shoot! You won't let me go to hospital. I swear I'll never go in those trenches again. Shoot! – and thank God -" One of Sheriff's main aims was to entertain the audience. He entertains the audience by recounting his experience in the trenches and the war. We also are educated as we are entertained. He also uses black humour, which is entertaining for the audience. The humour is used by the characters to forget about the real horrors of the war. Sheriff also uses sound effects in a very effective manner, most of the time it is silent, then suddenly you can hear the loud noises i.e. bombarding. Sheriff also uses complex characterization to make the play successful. The characters are different in every manner and this adds to the entertainment. The audience realizes that there is no glory in war and in reality; it is an evil which ultimately destroys every person. The play uses plenty of literary jargon, such as "dug-out, bit of line, minnies, boche, trench fever and topping etc." All the military terms used portray the effect of war and the sense of realism. The language used in the play is mostly formal, as in when they use "cheero, Righto, rugger etc". This is just the language used by the upper-class people of the time. They are also using formal language because the play is set in 1910.

Effects of Technology in Society

Technology has automated many of the critical processes in the industry as well the household. The electronic gadgets that have entered the homes of the common man have saved him the daily household work. Our world is ever changing an advancing in the realm of science and technology. Our dreams become cornerstones for the future. These days it seems hard to escape the presence of technology. Many of us depend on it to get us through the day, to do our job, to get around, and to find certain things. While technology has brought us such a long way, could it in fact be hindering us in other ways? What happens when these same technologies we so depend on fail? Could most forms of technology just be interruptions, ways of moving us further away from each other? Could Technology cause a form of isolation? We are faced with these questions every day, whether we realize it or not. Think of the days when there were no computers and no modern means of transport. Human life was highly restricted due to the unavailability of technological applications. Daily life involved a lot of physical activity. The life of the common man of those times was not as luxurious as that of the modern times, but he was more active. Daily exercise was integrated in the routine physical activities. It was contrary to the lifestyle of today, which carries no time slot for rigorous exercise and carries laze and inactivity. Think of the days when there were no online messengers, no emails and no cell phones. Indeed the cellular technology created the miracle of enabling communication over the wireless media. The communication facilities provided by the Internet worked wonders in speeding long-distance communication but also deprived mankind of the warmth of personal contact. Emails replaced handwritten letters and communication lost its personal touch. With the means of communication available a few clicks away, the tendency of taking pains to reach the loved ones has vanished. Times have witnessed this industry evolve from mechanical scooters to automated aircrafts. Animals were the only modes of transportation in day pass. Technology was the driving force behind the creation and design of the modern-day automobiles. Bicycles evolved into scooters and sports bikes. The idea of having four-wheeled modes of transportation gave rise to the creation of cars. Modes of air and water came up, thanks to technology. Machines have automated many of the crucial industrial processes. Machines are now taking up many of the mundane jobs that were once executed by human workers. One of the most important breakthroughs for technology was the agricultural system. The agricultural system was the basis for the technology of the future. The agricultural system brought on the need for transportation, workers and even, battles over land. The need for transportation brought vehicles into the market. The need for employees brought mechanical robots into society. Battles over land brought on the need for sophisticated weapons. The agricultural system brought on a revolution. The invention of the television can bring media and other forms of entertainment into your house with video and audio combined. Before 1950, newspapers and radio were the only ways to bring media or entertainment into the house. Mass production and other job opportunities brought many people from the suburbs and farms into the city. We can now have forms of electricity directed into our houses for heating and light. Humans are more reliant on technology than ever before. All of these technological advances sound great; however, there is a negative effect to all this technology. Technology can serve to actually harm humans rather than help them. Competition between companies or even cities can sometimes make lives for humans even worse. Take for example when a city builds better and more roads to attract tourists. This actually creates more traffic, not less. Technology also changes our sense of common purpose. New inventions such as the personal computer and machines can change our lifestyles. Even things we take for granted such as the automobile have negative effects on technology. The oil needed for a car to run needs to be imported and sometimes accidents such as the Exxon Valdez incident spills many gallons of oil into the ocean. All of these examples show how technology has negative effects on society. First, competition can lead to a negative effect of technology. When a company in the U.  S. produces shoes and a company in Great Britain produces shoes as well, they must fight for their market share. Let’s say the company in Great Britain purchases more machines that will reduce the amount of workers needed and improve output, and then they can reduce the price of their product. If the company in New York doesn't follow in their footsteps then they could be forced out of business. In this case the company is forced into buying the machines just so they can stay in business. This has a negative effect on the employees who will be replaced by the new machines. When a city wants to attract tourists by building better roads to lessen traffic there is a mistake because this will only create more traffic since there will be more people wanting to travel these roads. McManus says the inability to see the future is responsible for the negative effects of new technologies. He also states better roads cause more traffic congestion, not less. By creating better roads, more people will want to travel these roads (A-1). If New York City built a new sophisticated highway to attract more tourists then more New Yorkers will want to travel these roads as well. Many New Yorkers who previously used mass transit to travel to work will now want to use a car to travel to work. In effect there will be more traffic and more pollution. There will be other side effects as well. Real estate values of areas near the highway could go down. Competition can help a community in one aspect however it can hurt it as well. Competition can directly stimulate the economy; however, long term effects such as pollution and the loss of jobs could explain why the City of New York doesn't complete a project like this. Second, technology can change our sense of common purpose. For millions of years, mankind has been used to doing everything for themselves. For a long time peoples' main concerns were survival. To survive means to go out into the woods or forests and shoot animals for the food which the family needs to eat for the day. People of modern society never think about hunting for food or clothes. Now, it is all brought to people instantly through a new standard of survival. The new standard for survival means making money to go to a mall or supermarket and getting everything a family needs. A family can get food and clothing at these places without ever having to go into a forest or a lake. This thought is ever so frightening. When a person from modern society goes into a supermarket and buys a pound of fish, he or she doesn't even think of the process that went into the arrival of that piece of fish. He or she didn't need to go to a lake, all that was needed was to drive to your local supermarket and buy it. No fishing or hunting was necessary. Humans are losing their sense of common purpose. â€Å"But what ‘revenge effect' will this have? The technology- resistance movement begins by pointing out that we are cobbling together virtual communities while our real cities crumble, at least partly because our sense of common purpose has frayed. Today, only about 5 percent of American households are on-line, but what happens, the critics wonder, when half the country is wired? Will we escape the unpleasant complications of the world outside our locked doors by opting for communities in ‘cyberspace,' where we can enjoy the company of people who share our interests and our views? Where the streets never need to be cleaned and you don't have to keep an eye on your neighbor's house? What happens if the sirens outside become too distracting? Will we simply buy insulated drapes? Humans are getting lazy. Almost everything must be done for them in advance. However, sometimes this change in lifestyle is forced upon humans. When a company decides to buy robots to do the job that man once did, and then the human is forced into either getting fired or watching the machine all day long. Hopefully humans will not get used to watching a robot do all the work for them. Technology has definitely changed the lifestyle and common purpose of many humans. Conclusion In conclusion, society has recently seen the negative effects of society. Competition between cities and companies has taken away jobs and brought unwanted and costly projects into pleasurable areas. A change in lifestyle among almost every human being is yet another negative effect of technology. What has happened to people since supermarkets came to town? People do not want to hunt for food anymore. They find it much easier to walk into a store and purchase it. A third reason why technology has a negative effect on society is the advent of highly reliant possessions such as the automobile. Many people count on traveling to work every day by car. If the car was somehow taken away from people then there would be chaos. It is much too late to take it away. Humans are much too reliant on it. There is not enough mass transit to transport all of the present car users. Hopefully, future technologies will be fully considered. We must look at the advantages and consequences and measure if society will benefit or suffer from the technology. Past technologies weren't fully considered and if they were, there is a chance that the automobile never would have gone into production.