The Social History of the Birth Control Pill

The Social History of the Birth Control Pill Free Online Research Papers Throughout history, women’s lacked essential freedoms due to their obligation to maintain the home and bear children. Women were raised to be modest and asexual until marriage. During marriage, women still had to be modest, but they were encouraged to be very sexual beings with their husbands to reproduce. However, the act of bearing and raising children consumed women’s lives. Women were required to stay in the home and be good, maternal beings. It was only until the invention of the birth control pill that women were able to truly take some control over their bodies and livelihood. The duty of bearing children came with many consequences. The actual act of bearing children was dangerous. Multiple pregnancies took a health toll on a woman’s body and the field of obstetrics was new in medical research. Raising multiple children was also economically inconvenient, especially to the working class. Even when a second income was necessary in a household, women had no time to enter the work force as they were too busy being mothers. Clearly, women were restricted to this one societal role. The concept of birth control was not new. Women had been trying many ways to prevent pregnancy. Many of the beliefs to prevent pregnancy were folklore. For example, one of the popular ways of preventing pregnancy was throwing an ear of corn into the river. If a woman threw an ear of corn into a river, she thought she was protected from pregnancy for the entire month (Crawford and Unger 147). The concept of birth control intrigued many women, especially those looking to spread their horizons outside of persistent motherhood. The campaigning for birth control quickly became a popular feminist movement. The Comstact Act of 1873 hindered the birth control movement in the United States. The Comstock Act became federal law that made it illegal to send any obscene, lewd, and/or lascivious materials through the mail including pornography, contraceptive devices, or information about contraception and abortion (Gordon 23). Without any access to birth control, or better yet the knowledge of it, women lacked the freedom to reproductive choice. Anthony Comstock was the early force behind restrictions on birth control. He was a devout Christian who believed that the majority of American society was becoming licentious due to the contraceptive industry. Comstock headed for Washington in 1872 to further his cause. In 1873, Congress passed the Comstock Act, which was aimed at stopping trade in obscene literature and immoral articles. It also targeted information on birth control devices, sexually transmitted diseases, human sexuality, and abortion (Gordon 24). In a 1915 article, Margaret Sanger refers to the Comstock Law saying, There is nothing which causes so much laughter or calls forth so many joking comments by people in Europe as Comstockery in America (Kennedy 13). She challenged the law in 1916 by opening up the first birth control clinic in America and in 1936 she helped bring the case of United States v. One Package to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (Kennedy 21). That decision allowed physicians to legally mail birth control devices and information throughout the country. Finally, in 1965, the Supreme Court case of Griswold v. Connecticut overturned the Comstock Law, ruling that the private use of contraceptives was a constitutional right (Kennedy 23). In America, it is commonly known that before World War I, society had the perception that woman’s primary function was to bear and raise children. Preparation for motherhood and marriage began shortly after a girl’s birth. Throughout a girl’s life, cleaning house and caring for children were the only skills that were taught to her. Women had no option to develop their individuality. Their status was identified with their husband’s status as â€Å"women were nothing more than property† (Crawford and Unger 101). The female role was a housewife and a mother, belonging to her husband. During World War I, women had to fend for themselves and their families without their husbands or fathers. During WWI some of the roles of women changed because they had to enter the work force to cover for the men off at war. However, by the 1930’s, the status of women in North America regressed. Men retook their jobs after WWI even though women finally maintained suffrage in 1920. By the Great Depression, because of the overwhelming rate of unemployment due to the depression, women were laid off before men (McCann 57). Many women ended up back in the home assuming traditional roles and regressing to their original status before WWI. Again, during World War II, women were once again thrown into the workforce. This was the beginning of the change in status and roles for women. However, women’s maternal roles were still continuing to hinder their equal entrance into the workforce with men. This provoked serious dedication to find a way to control pregnancy and motherhood. During this time, President Theodore Roosevelt shared a belief, held by the majority of politicians at the time, that families of America should act as servants of the state and should provide children to build national strength (McCann 50). This feeling in America was at the time when the industrialization was at its peak in the US and beginning to take hold else where in the world. Contraception was considered an ethical issue in that the majority of Americans believed it was a form of abortion and therefore immoral and was still enforced by the Comstock Laws. Gregory Pincus was an American physician, biologist, and researcher during the 20th Century. Early in his career he began studying hormonal biology and steroidal hormones, but his first breakthrough came in 1934 when was able to produce in vitro fertilization in rabbits (Kennedy 55). In 1953, Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick confronted Pincus with the idea of creating an oral contraceptive. He sought out Searle, a pharmaceutical company, about funding for their plan (58). Searles initial reaction was no because it jeopardized his company due to the austere birth control laws. Despite the fact that Searle had no intention of creating an oral contraceptive, Frank Colton, a chemist at the company, accidentally developed a type of one. Pincus was allowed to have samples of the drug for his research (60). In 1957 The Pill was released as a treatment for gynecological disorders. Finally, in 1960, it became FDA approved and by 1963, 1.2 million women were using it (62). Although Sear le was originally reluctant to fund research for an oral contraceptive, he soon reaped the rewards of the newly invented Pill, and monopolized the industry for a short time (63). Margaret Sanger watched her mother die at an early age, which was partly due to the stress of bearing eleven children. After her mothers death she worked as a nurse in New York City and saw many women die from childbirth and self-induced abortion. The horrors that she witnessed there caused her to devote much of her time to promoting birth control for women. She set up the first clinic in 1916 and founded the American Birth Control League in 1921 (Kennedy 12). She had always envisioned a birth control pill that would be much easier to use than the diaphragm. In 1950, she met up with Gregory Pincus, who researched her idea, and with Katherine McCormick, who funded it. Her exhaustive efforts paid off in 1960 when The Pill was finally approved and sold on the market. Katherine McCormick was born in 1875 to a wealthy Chicago family. Unlike many women of her time, she was granted the opportunity of attending college, but despite her education she married Stanley McCormick in 1904. However, two years after their marriage he developed schizophrenia and her life was greatly altered. She soon turned her focus to promoting the cause of womens suffrage. In 1917, McCormick met Margaret Sanger in Boston and they frequently kept in touch. During this time McCormick was devoted to researching schizophrenia while Margaret Sanger was adamant about pursuing the area of birth control. In 1947, McCormicks husband died and she was the heir to his $15 million fortune. She now decided to turn her attention to the birth control movement and joined forces with Sanger. With her astounding wealth, McCormick financed the majority of research and development of The Pill. Margaret Sanger dreamt of the idea of a birth control pill since she was a young woman. If she wasnt confined to the boundaries of her time, her and McCormick couldve researched and funded The Pill without the help of any male doctors or scientists. Unfortunately, the society that they lived in would not allow them to do so; they did go as far as they could. Many of their achievements go unnoticed, but both women were really the leading forces behind the development of The Pill. Margaret Sanger died in 1966 and Katherine McCormick in 1967, but fortunately, both lived to see their dream be fulfilled. Birth control appeared to be increasing isolation and mobility of the individual family (Birth Control in America). It allowed women to control the size of their family, and therefore taking control over their lives as well. Fewer children meant less work, more money, and more time for women. With the birth control movement, the family was reshaped in size from seven or eight children to what is more common today, two to three children. Perhaps this is because there were huge advancements for women that could come out of the use of birth control. However, only two issues were thought of in earnest during the period of the sexual revolution.† Margaret Sanger, who led the birth control movement and coined the term â€Å"birth control,† had said that â€Å"birth control is the first important step [a woman] must take towards the goal of[becoming] a man’s equal(Sanger B 1). Women no longer had to conform to the stereotypical name of mother and wife. This was great news for woman across the country, but it was threatening to most men. When sexual intercourse became shared and pregnancy became an option, the attitude shifted from child bearing to child rearing (Birth control in America). The second major issue to arise form birth control was the sense of independence that had entered the realm of feminism thanks to the option women now had to gain control of their own bodies. Women no longer had to enhance the masculine spirits but to express the feminine; the woman is not to preserve a man-made want but to create a human world by the fusion of the feminine element into all of its activities (Sanger A 36). The growing individualism of woman and the gathering support for the feminist cause can almost always be linked to the new power women had found at their fingertips with birth control. A promotion of the feminine spirit as a person and not as a servant to her husband could be seen in all of Sangers writings on why the practice of birth control was â€Å"so important in creating higher individuality† for women (Sanger B 3). Another important point which developed from the spread of knowledge and use of birth control was that it gave women the ability to pursue careers without having to go straight into motherhood. A woman could be sexually active and not worry about losing her job because of unplanned pregnancy. This also helped promote women in the workforce as the concept of birth control guaranteed a woman’s dedication to her job. It is true that birth control may not have been the sole factor in the womens movement and freedom of self, but without this key element the struggle would have been longer and harder. Birth control changed family size and structure. It gave women a new sexual freedom with their own body. It gave women a voice and their own identity, which in turn allowed them to have an identity that separates from their spouses. Birth control helped shift slightly the balance of power from only being masculine to shared between the sexes. The popularity of the birth control pill and this feminist movement has made a major impact on the difference of the roles and lifestyles of women. Today there are many women choosing to stay dedicated to their careers and decide when and if they want to have children. There is also less of a social stigma towards childless women because of birth control. WORKS CITED Crawford, Mary, and Rhoda Unger. Women and Gender: A Feminist Psychology. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Gordon, Linda. The Moral Property of Women: A History of Birth Control Practices in America. New York: Grossman Publishers, 1976. Kennedy, David M. Birth Control in America: The Career of Margaret Sanger. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1970. McCann, Carole R. Birth Control Politics in the United States: 1916 – 1945. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1994. Schulz, Amy J., and Leith Mullings. Gender, Race, Class, Health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006. Research Papers on The Social History of the Birth Control PillPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Fifth Horseman19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationQuebec and CanadaCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice

GANGS AND GANG SUBCULTURES CJM 330 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

GANGS AND GANG SUBCULTURES CJM 330 - Essay Example Among the various areas of the US, the region of Los Angeles is deemed to be crowded with considerable number of ganging activities. Contextually, in the present day scenario, there are various gangs operating in the city, out of which, the street gangs are seen to be quite notorious and dangerous (Howell, 2011). Among the major gangs active in Los Angeles today, the Mexican Mafia is regarded as one of the most dangerous gangs. The gang is one of the oldest in the US and work in parallel with other traditional gangs of the country. The gang is quite organized and operates following specific rules made by them. Its major rivals include Black Guerrilla Family and Hispanic gang among others. The gang is primarily formed on grounds of ethnic issues as they claim to protect the integrity and wellbeing of their races thorough their activities. To be noted, the gang has been involved in numerous criminal activities in several decades but in the recent times it became quite active in Los Ang eles. The leader of the group was arrested in the 2012 for involving in activities of drug dealing in the northern area of Los Angeles. Reports also suggest that the gang was also involved in harassing and torturing the black people in southern regions (Inside Prison, n.d.). Conclusively, it can be affirmed that the gang is quite active in Los Angeles with their continuous criminal activities over the last decade. As a matter of concern, the police declared Mexican Mafia, active in Los Angeles, as one of the most dangerous and notorious gangs in comparison to other smaller groups within the community. The primary intention of this particular assignment is to depict the emergence and the growth of traditional gangs in the US over the past decades. Contextually, it has been noted that gangs started to emerge in this particular region of the world during the 1920s and is continually flourishing in the modern day era. The reasons of gang formation

Inflation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Inflation - Essay Example Inflation defined in this way refers to monetary inflation, which is the difference between the growth in money supply and the growth in availability of goods and services in the economy (Siegl, 2009). There are various measures of inflation, but most commonly, inflation is measured by using Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI refers to price of a basket of commodities and services that an average customer buys and changes in this index allows economists to study the rise and fall of the general price level in the economy which helps them to study the rate of inflation in the economy. In the latter half of 2012, Bank of England Chief Economist, Spencer Dale, had warned that the average standard of living for the Britons would fall in 2013. The country (UK) is still on the recovery phase from the shock of the financial crisis, this process is a slow and painful one. With a high unemployment rate of 7.8% and wage growth struggling to keep up with inflation, 2013 is looking to be anothe r year of hardship. Causes of inflationary pressure Inflation refers to the upwards movement of the general price level in economy. Prices are determined in the free market economy through the interaction of the sellers and the buyers in the economy. Most economists consider that the inflationary pressure in the economy is caused from either the demand side (demand pull inflation) or the supply side (cost push inflation) pressure on the equilibrium condition in the market (P. J. Welch and G. F. Welch, 2009). Demand pull inflation In long run, when the total output in economy moves towards the full employment output, the economy operates nearly at the full capacity. At full capacity, the economy produces the maximum amount of output by utilizing the available factors of production and the production level cannot be expanded easily. Figure 1: Demand Pull inflation (Source: Pettinger, 2013) At the other end, consumers in the economy are themselves the workers and they are earning more since output level is high at this stage. Hence, there is high consumer demand for services and commodities. This demand pressure from households coupled with the near full capacity production by the producers in the economy triggers inflationary pressure in the economy (P. J. Welch and G. F. Welch, 2009). Cost push inflation Inflationary pressure also occurs when cost to sellers of goods and services rise. Any source of cost to businesses is also a source of increase in rise in prices. Cost to producers and sellers are transferred to buyers partially or wholly and they through rise in prices. Figure 2: Demand Pull inflation (Source: P. J. Welch and G. F. Welch, 2009) Upwards pressure is created on prices if costs of labour, fuel, raw materials and other factors of production rise. At times firms’ attempt to enhance profit in certain industries increases prices and creates inflationary pressure (P. J. Welch and G. F. Welch, 2009). Inflation in UK Between 1989 till present (20 13), inflation rate in the UK averages at 2.81%. In May 2013, the inflation rate was 2.70% (Trading Economics, 2013). The inflation rates between 2011 and 2013 is shown in the following figure. Figure 3: Inflation rates in UK 2011-2013 (Source: Trading Economics, 2013) Demand side policies to combat inflation The most important tool to control inflationary pressure in the UK has been monetary policy changes. In the UK, the Bank of England adopts a monetary policy that helps

Brand Promotion of Nestle Essay Example for Free

Brand Promotion of Nestle Essay Nestle has a wide market for infant food in India. Nestle India enjoys a monopolistic position in baby foods Nestle has about 80% of market share in the baby cereal segment alone – which is a promising segment in future. Some of the Infant foods of nestle includes: Lactogen, Cerelac, Good Start, NAN, Nido etc. And all the infant foods except Nido come in different and innovative tastes according to the stages and growth of the children. Sauces and Ketchups: Nestle India introduced versatile types of sauces and ketchups according to the taste buds of Indian consumers under the brand name â€Å"Maggi†. There are numerous varieties of sauces which range from usual Tomato sauces, tangy ones, sour ones, continental ones, to the recent tamarind sauce which is yet to be introduced in some of the localities in India. Breakfast cereals: Nestle International has already taken up the breakfast segments of the International consumers. There is no doubt that Nestle India would also take up the Indian markets in its hands by the wide range of breakfast cereals. Some of the cereals include Nesquik which is targeted towards the kids, Cheerios towards Adults and Cookie Crisp for all age groups. Milk and dairy products: Milk: The largest segment of nestle is Milk and Dairy products. Nestle India focused and involved closely in this sector for the last 3 decades, also in the process of developing strong relationship with more than 85,000 farmers country wide. As a result Nestle has the best quality milk in India. Dairy products: Nestle is known for its dairy products especially, â€Å"Milkmaid† which has an unbeatable taste and other dairy products of nestle includes fresh and natural curd, light curd, and fruit flavored curd Famous chocolates of nestle includes Nestle Milk Chocolate, Nestle Milky bar, Nestle Munch, Nestle Kitkat, Nestle Bar One, and Polo. All these chocolates come in different flavors. Instant Food and Cooking Aids: Noodles: Nestle India’s Instant noodles â€Å"Maggi† is preferred by 80% of the consumers around the nation and the brand Maggi provides lots of attractive and tasty noodle variety targeting the kids and the adults especially office going people. Maggi is the largest and the most loved brand of Nestle India presently Maggi comes in 9 different and innovative flavors. Cooking Aids: An Indian Masala powder for cooking for enhancing the taste of the food we cook. â€Å"Maggi Bhuna Masala† is the magical powder which increases the taste of Indian food. Bottled water: Nestle has launched its packaged drinking water â€Å"Pure Life† which is an upcoming water brand o nestle sure to hit the markets of India. Nestle India – Market Leader: Nestle India is the market leader of Infant food, Instant coffee, and Milk Maid, the greatest market leader in Instant noodles â€Å"Maggi’. Case Studies of Nestle India: Social Impact of Nestle Global: Water saving initiatives held in India: Nestle India conducted a water saving campaign in Moga, Punjab where the brand has the largest milk districts. The campaign was about the water scarce and how scarce in water affects the production of milk. Happy Day in New Papua Guinea: Joining hands with the ministry of health in New Papua Guinea, Nestle conducted a Personal hygiene program initiating the nutritive values and health ailments faced due to the nutrition deficiency. Awareness campaign in North Africa – Nido: Nestle in North Africa conducted an awareness program regarding their launch of Nido in the markets of North Africa. Focusing on feeding mothers and infants. Nestle also conducts various awareness programs in different regions instructing the importance of water and the benefits of the purity and innovation of Nestle’s Water. Products of Nestle in India: (Pictorial Representation) Infant Formula: Sauces and Ketchups:

Community Service :: essays research papers

When people hear how many hours of community service I have done, they ask, "Do you get paid?" When I say no, they wonder why I do it. I tell them it's because I like to help people. Many think that community service is just something you are forced to do for school. To me, community service is a way of giving back. I like making people feel as though they matter, and it gives me a warm feeling at the end of the day because I feel I have made a difference. I grow as a person each time I do community service. Some people do community service because they have to, but I do it because I want to. I have volunteered over 300 hours of community service at a local elementary. I helped children complete their homework assignments and spend quality time with them while their parents work late. I read to the children and played with them when their parents do not have the time. For the past three years, I have assisted the adult volunteers at the After School Care program at Parkview Elementary. My main supervisor was Mrs. King. This program is one in which, parents can leave their children supervised by adults while they work late. I was assigned a group of 10 children, between the ages of 5-11. I volunteered two hours every weekday, tutoring and mentoring my group. The first week was a little awkward. I did not know any of the kids or what to talk to them about. Mrs. King asked me to help them tie their shoes. So, one by one, they came into the hallway and I helped them with their shoes. This gave me the opportunity to talk to them just one-on-one and see what they were like. It was great! They were very friendly and talkative. Since I began in November 2000, I have been going every weekday until my mission was accomplished in December 2001. I have worked with them on completing their homework, reading books, and many different things. It has been a great experience for me. Every time I see my students, they always say hi and I receive many hugs. They make me feel extremely important just being with them. I am a significant role model and a great influence for these growing children. I love helping out students and teachers. I wish everyone had the chance to do a project like this and see how much fun it is. Community Service :: essays research papers When people hear how many hours of community service I have done, they ask, "Do you get paid?" When I say no, they wonder why I do it. I tell them it's because I like to help people. Many think that community service is just something you are forced to do for school. To me, community service is a way of giving back. I like making people feel as though they matter, and it gives me a warm feeling at the end of the day because I feel I have made a difference. I grow as a person each time I do community service. Some people do community service because they have to, but I do it because I want to. I have volunteered over 300 hours of community service at a local elementary. I helped children complete their homework assignments and spend quality time with them while their parents work late. I read to the children and played with them when their parents do not have the time. For the past three years, I have assisted the adult volunteers at the After School Care program at Parkview Elementary. My main supervisor was Mrs. King. This program is one in which, parents can leave their children supervised by adults while they work late. I was assigned a group of 10 children, between the ages of 5-11. I volunteered two hours every weekday, tutoring and mentoring my group. The first week was a little awkward. I did not know any of the kids or what to talk to them about. Mrs. King asked me to help them tie their shoes. So, one by one, they came into the hallway and I helped them with their shoes. This gave me the opportunity to talk to them just one-on-one and see what they were like. It was great! They were very friendly and talkative. Since I began in November 2000, I have been going every weekday until my mission was accomplished in December 2001. I have worked with them on completing their homework, reading books, and many different things. It has been a great experience for me. Every time I see my students, they always say hi and I receive many hugs. They make me feel extremely important just being with them. I am a significant role model and a great influence for these growing children. I love helping out students and teachers. I wish everyone had the chance to do a project like this and see how much fun it is.

Harlequin Enterprise Mira Decision

Harlequin enterprise had a competitive advantage in the women’s romance fiction genre up until the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Harlequin faced steady loss of share in a growing women's fiction market due to the popularity of single title novels. It is costly to imitate but to stay competitive I would recommend that Harlequin perform a limited launch of Mira by re-developing titles in their back-list and generating direct-to-reader sales through the Book Club, while it explores global distribution and marketing relationships. The Mira decision is great way of gaining new grounds but there are numerous issues surrounding it. First, competitions are fierce and there is great deal of threat to its potential in the U. S market. The agreement with Simon and Schuster at the end of romance wars may not be sustainable. If harlequin launches Mira in direct competition with S&S it would be very difficult considering harlequin is dependent on S&S for the distribution of its series titles within the U. S market. If Mira is pursued, harlequin would have to redevelop its distribution chain and its value chain within U. S. Harlequin’s brand loyalty is strong due to its readership base. This is evidenced by the direct-to-reader Book Club, which currently provides 3/8 of US Sales at significantly higher margins than indirect sales. With this value, harlequin should proceed cautiously but look towards reducing external threats and external opportunities. The Mira decision could be the solution to increase sales. With harlequin’s reputation of producing high quality books, Mira could be successful. There’s a great deal of risk involved in this investment, with significantly higher cost for production, distribution and marketing and considering harlequin’s inadequate expertise outside of the romance realm. As with the 1987 worldwide case, I believe harlequin could learn from their mistakes and be optimistic towards their future.

Vertically and Horizontally Integrated Supply Chains - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2483 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Compare and contrast essay Did you like this example? Introduction Vertically and horizontally integrated supply chains are supply chain management strategies adopted by companies to take advantage of synergies in their value chain to achieve more profits and competitive advantage (Naslund Willamson, 2010). Effective supply chains are critical to the success of organisations operating in global multifaceted environments as well as organisations seeking to achieve optimal efficiency and customer satisfaction (Lambert, 2008). An increasingly competitive and interconnected global environment means that successful performance depends on the collective decisions and actions of all members of a supply chain rather than that of a single member and competition is increasingly between supply chains rather than between individual firms (Naslund Willamson, 2010). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Vertically and Horizontally Integrated Supply Chains" essay for you Create order Hence, organisations are faced with the challenge of making decisions regarding appropriate supply chain strategies that will deliver their objectives based on their capabilities, needs and circumstances. Vertical and Horizontal supply chain integration are two such strategies that enable companies to manage their organisations and their relationships with other companies in the same supply chain/value chain (Hill Jones, 2012). From a supply chain management perspective, vertical and horizontal integration aim to achieve cost savings, higher profits, greater efficiency and customer satisfaction by improving supply chain processes and performance through value-adding investment and activities that benefit all supply chain members (Stonebraker Liao, 2003). For example, achieving cost reductions, improved performance and better target market access as a result of eliminating redundancies/duplications, lowering inventories, shorter lead times, greater control over supply and distrib ution, access to partner networks and lower fixed costs (Mentzer et al., 2008). This essay will discuss and analyse key similarities and differences between vertically and horizontally integrated supply chains, highlighting the key issues and the scope of organisational departments involved. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Simchi-Levi et al. (2008) defined SCM as integration strategies aimed at coordinating functions across suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to ensure that products and services are produced and distributed at the right volume, location and time with the aim of reducing operational costs, maximising profits and ensuring satisfaction across the supply chain.. Vertically and horizontally integrated supply chains are SCM strategies introduced in the early 1980s with roots in the logistics literature. Supply Chain Integration Strategies Supply chain integration strategies are network-based business models used by organisations to align strategic decisions and processes across the network from supplier/manufacturer end to the customer end in order to achieve competitive advantages, synergy and efficiency in their operations as well as to gain more control in the input and output of their operations (Hill Jones, 2012). Network-based business models are organisational structures that allow companies to operate as interconnected configurations across its value chain usually consisting of partnerships, collaborations and optimised cross-organizational activities (Mentzer, 2008). Vertical Integration Vertical integration is a coordination strategy in which a company owns its supply chain by incorporating supplier and/or distributor supply chains in its operations strategy or by expanding its operations to perform activities traditionally performed by suppliers and distributors (Hill Jones, 2012). This strategy helps organizations to ensure high levels of control and to avoid the hold up problem, a situation in which an organisations contract with another party in its supply chain results in delays and loss of profit due to delays, non-performance of contract or imbalance of bargaining power between the 2 parties (Hill Jones, 2012). The Ford River Rouge Complex, an automobile factory built by Henry Ford in 1927 is a good example of a vertically integrated supply chain providing economies of scale and ensuring high levels of control in the supply and production process Iron ore and coal from Ford owned mines arrived on Ford freighters to produce Ford steel. Ford also owned its timberlands, glass plants, rail lines and rubber plantation, which helped to ensure efficiency, availability of necessary components as well as control over inputs and outputs (Slywotzky, 1996). A vertical integrated supply chain can be implemented to varying degrees, broadly classified into 3 categories: Backward vertical integration, in which a company owns subsidiaries that produce the inputs/components used in production. For example, the Ford River Rouge Factory with its own timberland and glass making companies (Slywotzky, 1996). Forward vertical Integration in which a company owns or controls its distribution centres and/or retailers, thereby having direct contact with customers at the bottom of the value chain. For example, airlines performing the traditional roles of travel agents (Hill and Jones, 2012). Balanced vertical Integration in which a company implements both backward and forward integration by owning/controlling its supply, production, marketing and/or retail centres. Apple is a good example of a company implementing balanced vertical integration by owning their own data centres, manufacturing equipment to produce their own chips and other proprietary components, as well as their own marketing and retail stores, content platforms and support centres (Hill and Jones, 2012). As a strategic tool, a vertically integrated supply chain can provide companies with solutions to mitigate or remove the threat of powerful suppliers, decrease bargaining powers of suppliers, distributors and customers as well as reduce transaction costs. When properly implemented, a vertically integrated supply chain can help companies achieve competitive advantage and higher profits through economies of scale and scope (Fresard et al., 2014). Horizontal Integration Horizontal Integration is a single industry SCM strategy whereby companies seek to achieve competitive advantage and profitable growth through value creation activities that are focused on a single business or industry, for example, McDonalds with its focus on global fast-food business and Walmart, with its focus on global discount retailing (Hill Jones, 2012). A horizontally integrated supply chain is a business model whereby companies acquire or merge with industry competitors to achieve competitive advantage through economies of scale and scope (Fresard et al., 2014). For example, Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas to create the worlds largest aerospace company, Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert to become the largest pharmaceutical company (Hill and Jones, 2012) This SCM structure provides the advantage of focus and scope, particularly in fast growing, dynamic industries where companies are required to focus substantial resources and capabilities on competing in one area in o rder to achieve long term competitive advantage (Lambert, 2008). Technological advancements, changing customer needs, fierce competition and low levels of entry barriers are common features of horizontally integrated supply chains. Due to changing customer needs, new competition and the pace of change in such industries, companies often find it difficult to sustain competitive advantage without changing/adapting their business model (Juttner et al. 2010). For example, with the advent of wireless telephone service and the likes of SKYPE, companies like ATT had to quickly adapt their business model and join forces wireless companies that provided them with the capability to start offering broadband and wireless services. Its merger with Time Warner and Comcast enabled ATTs competitive positioning and its relevance in the changing world of telecommunications (Hill and Jones, 2012). A successfully implemented horizontal integration strategy can increase a companys profitability due t o reduction in cost structures as a result of (Hill and Jones, 2012): Economies of scale, particularly in industries with high fixed cost structures; Increased product differentiation due to the combined product lines from merger or acquisition which enables the company to be able to offer product bundles and innovative new products to customers at different price points; Replication of the business model due to the ability to leverage the increased product differentiation and lower cost structure achieved through horizontal integration to replicate the business model in new market segment, for example Walmart using its low-cost discount retail business model to enter into the warehouse and supermarket segments in the US as well replicating the model globally as by acquiring supermarket chains in several countries; Reduced industry rivalry, as excess capacity is eliminated in the industry through acquisition or merging of competitors which results in more stable price environments and the elimination/reduction of price wars; Increased bargaining power due to the consolidation of the industry resulting in companies that are a much larger buyer and hence wield a level of leverage or buyer power which can be used to drive down the price it pays to suppliers. Walmart is a good example of a horizontally integrated supply chain with bargaining power advantage. Horizontal integration has limitations that are worth noting and guarding against. Similar to vertical integration, horizontal integration is a complex and difficult strategy to implement. For example, it is difficult to successfully merge companies with very different corporate cultures and where the merge/acquisition is a hostile takeover, it often results in high staff turnover and loss of much needed talent and expertise hence resulting suboptimal benefits or downright failure. There is also the risk of failure or penalty due to antitrust laws when companies attempt to use horizontal integration to become a dominant industry player as these laws exist to ensure fair trading and prevent companies from using their market powers to prevent competition. Vertical and Horizontal Integration Key issues to consider: Similarities Vertically and horizontally integrated supply chains are usually complex and capital intensive to implement. Both are also similar in the sense that they are business models that are aimed at optimising value chain processes and performance in other to achieve competitive advantage through economies of scale and scope. However, organisations need to consider several factors to ascertain the right strategy and whether it will be a profitable investment, including (Fresard et al., 2014): Are there economies of scope to make it cheaper for the company to own or control subsidiaries involved in the supply and production of its inputs and outputs? Is there need to establish entry barrier in the industry or obtain monopoly power by controlling the value chain in order to have competitive advantage? Is it cheaper overall for the company to perform the role of suppliers and distributors than to conduct business with arms length suppliers and distributors? Differences Companies pursuing vertical integration may also pursue horizontal integration and in fact many do. However, the underlying principles and the operational implications of implementing both strategies have very clear differentiators. In a vertical integration, the company enters new industries to support the business model of its core industry, whereas in a horizontal integration, the company competes in a single industry but expands through mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances/collaborations. Vertical integration is more closed/proprietary model compared to horizontal integration which is more open because of the involvement of partners and the need to cooperate/collaborate. The differences in the operational implications include (Hill and Jones, 2012): Vertical integration Horizontal integration More control through ownership of the value-adding stages. Less control due to dependence on others cooperation. The vertically integrated company reaps the higher benefit. Benefits are from the success of everyone in the value chain Efficiency over flexibility Flexibility over maximum efficiency Intensive capital required to create, produce, and distribute all components of the end product. Lower capital requirements due to shared ownership. Departmental Functions One of the challenges faced by organization in managing their supply chain is that of integrating internal functions as well as the entire supply chain (Christopher Juttner,2000). Understanding the supply chain begins with understanding internal processes as this directly impacts performance. From a supply chain perspective, key internal processes include (Pagell, 2004): Purchasing, responsible for buying process inputs Operations, responsible for the transformation of raw materials into final outputs Logistics, responsible for the management of processes involved in the production and delivery of outputs to customers The key task in managing these functions is to ensure a process of interaction and collaboration in which purchasing, operations and logistics work together to achieve the mutual objectives of the supply chain. Stakeholder Management In vertical integration, the proprietary nature of the investment creates a more closed/not very trusting approach in the interaction with partners as the organization will seek to protect its trade secrets/intellectual property. In horizontal integration however, companies adopt a more open and trusting approach with partners, as this is integral to the success of their business model (Hill and Jones, 2012). For example, Microsoft and Google have adopted a more open approach to working with partners in their values chain as the success is achieved collaboratively and through open source platforms. Apple on the other hand operates a proprietary model, which tightly protects its intellectual property through its vertically integrated supply chain (Pomfret Soh, 2010). Conclusion The decision between vertical or horizontal integration will determine an organisations operating strategy and the supply chain dynamics in terms of how functional departments and stakeholders interact. The challenge is to analyse how new emerging technologies will impact their business models, how and why these technologies might change customer needs and customer groups in the future, and what kinds of new distinctive competencies will be needed to respond to these changes (Hill and Jones, 2012). 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