Increasing Student Achievement For Reading Through...

Lauren Davis Increasing Student Achievement in Reading through Implementation of the Daily 5 SPE 609 – Action Research Fall 2013 University of Alabama Increasing Student Achievement in Reading through Implementation of the Daily 5 School Description This action research project was completed at Benjamin Davis Magnet Elementary School in Decatur, Alabama. Benjamin Davis is a primary magnet school in the Decatur City School District that serves 255 children in kindergarten through grade two. Students must be invited to attend based on their scores from the Cog-AT (Cognitive Abilities Test) and the MRT (Metropolitan Readiness Test) taken in the Spring of their kindergarten year. The school uses a full time enrichment pull out teacher and Renzulli’s SEM (school wide enrichment model) to serve the unique needs of these highly able children. Concerns Managing a ninety minute reading block in my second grade class was a very challenging task. This was my sixth year teaching, but my third year teaching second graders. My class of 19 students consisted of a wide range of learners, reading anywhere from a first grade level to a sixth grade level. I had one identified gifted student, one student diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and many other children with their own unique needs. During my first year of teaching second graders, I realized that my management of the reading block would tremendously impact students’ growth and success as readersShow MoreRelatedAction Pl The Achievement Gap For Low Income Students Essay1675 Words   |  7 PagesU5A1: Action Plan Description Background The achievement gap that exists in my school is a socioeconomic one (J. Perkins, personal communication, October 24, 2016). Data for Woodville High School shows an achievement gap for low-income students (J. Perkins, personal communication, October 24, 2016). Additionally, this achievement gap is wider for low-income, first-generation students. ACT Aspire Reading data shows that only 25% of students at the poverty level met or exceeded the content standardsRead MoreThe Literacy Initiative Is Effective For Teaching Beginning Reading Skills1857 Words   |  8 Pagesthe most effective manner in which to provide reading instruction has been on-going since the Johnson Administration’s War on Poverty Report of the 1960s. The primary focus of that debate is whether a skills-based approach or a meaning – based approach was most effective for teaching beginning reading skills (phonemic and phonological awareness), comprehension, and enrichment. (Frey, et.al, 2005) The silks-bas ed or direct instruction approach to reading instruction focuses on explicit and systematicRead MoreGraduation Speech : Students With The Tutoring Center Have A Higher Gpa By. O29880 Words   |  4 PagesBrendan Rievert Professor Glady-Teschendorf ENG 112 8 Feb. 2016 Tutoring According to Eric Cooper â€Å"students that visit the tutoring center have a higher GPA by .o29.† This may not seem like much but it can be a difference of failing or passing a class. If public schools don t meet a certain standards the No Child Left Behind law will take affect making the school provide extra academic help (Tucker 1). Many people do not realize the power of tutoring and do not understand all the benefits thatRead MoreLeveraging Computer Technology for Literacy Instruction in the Classroom2385 Words   |  10 PagesComputer-Based Reading Programs for At-Risk Learners Children with disabilities face a variety of challenges when learning to read. Some students experience processing disorders, some have auditory or visual deficits, still others have gross or fine motor disabilities. Computer technology is adept at addressing all of these issues by the nature of its flexible and extensible application. As a relatively low-cost solution for providing specialized instruction, integrating computer technology isRead MoreThe Common Core Places On Standardized Testing1634 Words   |  7 Pageswho happen to be visual or auditory learners are missing the mark on these tests. As these scores remain so essential, several teachers â€Å"over prepare children for the tests through months of drill and practice† even taking away time from recess to prepare (Berliner 254). Sadly, as a result, numerous teachers treat their students as test scores, and show little interest in their personal lives. This happens to be even more alarming when you realize that c ountless children in poverty worry about moreRead MoreHow Free Independent Reading Can Successfully Impact Student Reading Achievement1587 Words   |  7 PagesAdd sleeping time into this mix, and the once popular leisure activity called reading ranks among most teenagers’ lowest priorities. In the high-tech, high-speed 21st century, reading proficiency is an essential tool to compete in today’s global marketplace. Yet numerous study results show a continual decline in students’ reading performance. The 2007 reading study by the National Endowment for the Arts noted that â€Å"reading has slipped to a mere eight minutes per day for 18-24-year-olds† (To Read orRead MoreOnline Gaming Techniques Applied On Everyday Goals3623 Words   |  15 Pagesway to get players to be loyal to their games and to increase profits, and for players it can be a true sense of achievement, and status within a game. For the business, education and government sectors , it can b e used as a way of increasing overall productivity by players (employees and students), increasing motivation and general satisfaction of employees, customers and students. 3. Where did the term come from The term gamification was first described in 2003 by Nick Pelling, a British programmerRead MoreThe Effects Of Parental Involvement On Academic Achievement2966 Words   |  12 Pagesinvolvement often constraining the academic success and achievement of the child. The study may also serve as a model for others so they can actively engage parents in taking a participatory role throughout the educational progress of their children. The review of the literature, for this research proposal, found that minimal parent engagement in the educational process has adverse effects on academic achievement, especially for those students attending a high poverty, rural school. Though, limitedRead More Professional Learning Communities Essay2717 Words   |  11 Pagestypically occurs through trial and error in the isolated confinements of each teacher’s classroom with some periodic whole-group professional development (Goddard Goddard, 2007). Within the past few decades, many schools and districts, including ours, have considered and experimented with Professional Learning Communities (PLC) as an alternative framework in guiding a more efficient development program for their teachers. PLCs are focused on enhancing student learning through developing teacherRead MoreIt s A Digital World Essay2309 Words   |  10 Pagesreplace one s who don t. Using technology and computer science to facilitate learning as well as it s role within education is important to understand as technology plays a dominant role in daily life. The availability, affordability, and efficiency of technological devices and tools have benefitted both students and educators alike. A child’s mind is said to be small simply by habit. It is perhaps the sharpest tool that can retain anything provided to it. Shaping such a mind requires quality of

Changing Customer Perspective Of E Commerce - 1124 Words

Changing Customer Perspective Changing customer perspective includes how online shopping has provided added value to customers as they are able to purchase products from anywhere in the world and are able to compare global market prices to find out where they can get the best deals and the cheapest products. When e-commerce was starting out, people were unsure about the level of service that they would receive. Since then, many laws have been made so that e-commerce organisations provide an excellent level of service and that customers can expect the same level of service as they would do in a high street store. Customer perspective has also changed on security issues and ease of using e-commerce websites. In the beginning, people were unsure about using their credit cards online because they were aware of hackers but now more people are beginning to use their credit cards online as they are confident with the level of security that the website and their computer has. In addition to this, more of the older genera tions shop online as they find it easier than having to go to the store itself. Economic and social impact due to speed of changes Society has been impacted by e-commerce sites and the speed at which things change online. Many products have become available online before they do in high street stores and many people use sites such as amazon to pre-order the latest and greatest tech gadgets so that they have them as soon as they are released. The other speed of changeShow MoreRelatedThe Social Impact of E-Commerce1176 Words   |  5 PagesUse of e-commerce has increased massively since it was first introduced to the general public. Nowadays customers like to do their shopping at their own comfort peacefully at home. E-commerce allows the customer to do this as products are displayed and described to the user before the purchase has been made. However this boost in e-commerce has affected the society both positively and negatively. Changing Customer Perspectives When it comes to making purchases online customers straight away thinkRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Business1049 Words   |  5 PagesThe rise in technology over the last two decades has affected businesses tremendously. E-business is changing not only how we buy and sell but is transforming the way we do business altogether. In the fast-paced and competitive nature of the business marketplace, e-business has allowed companies to increase the value of their organization by improving their operations, not just allowing customers to buy over the internet. In order to stay competitive, businesses must embrace the culture change intoRead MoreCan We Consider Walmart A Fair Competitor?s Online Success?1609 Words   |  7 Pagesdifficult to beat, with demographics of 237 million active customers worldwide, making it one of the most valuable brands in the world. Not only has Amazon seized the world with its e-commerce strategy, but it is also willing to forego profits to gain market share, making it difficult for Walmart to find a space in the online retailing spotlight. Not being hamstrung by an enormous brick-and-mortar business like Walmart, Amazon is able to do e-commerce for many other businesses, Target for instance. As aRead MorePorters Five Forces Framework1547 Words   |  7 Pagesforces framework is illustrated and briefly provide how five forces company’s profit potential. Threat of new entrants For the threats of new entrants to Alibaba is characterized by medium barriers to entry. Nowadays, creating up a small or niche e-commerce business is relatively easy everywhere. Even person only have very limited information technology skills can also create their own website, such as blogger can create a website using â€Å"Wordpress† or â€Å"Weebly†. Therefore, it is really not difficultRead MoreThe Advantages of Mobile Commerce Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is M-commerce? The last decade has witnessed a lot of growth of mobile communication devices and wireless technologies across the globe. This has led to a change in the way many activities are conducted and opened the way for m-commerce, which is e-commerces next evolutionary stage. The significant power of m-commerce is primarily as a result of the ability to connect wireless devices anytime, anywhere (The Future of Mobile Payment Systems : Rise of the Mobile Wallet 2012-2017 [ElectronicRead MoreE Commerce And Consumer Attitudes1380 Words   |  6 Pagesof e-commerce in China has relatively been higher and faster than in the United States. This means that this revolution opens more opportunities for businesses like Yiwu Asu. It may also be predicated that the stronger global presence will be achieved by Yiwu Asu in the future. E-commerce and consumer attitudes/perceptions Since there is an amassing number and variety of business that exploit the opportunities presented by e-commerce, consumer attitude should be taken into account. The e-commerceRead MoreE Commerce at Yunnan Lucky Air1685 Words   |  7 PagesE - Commerce at Yunnan Lucky Air: Introduction: Backed by the Hainan Airlines of the China, Yunnan Airlines was founded in 2004 as one of the most cost-effective domestic airline operating from its hub in Kunming, in the province of Yunnan. The limited route license added to the airline’s competitive advantage and maintained its monopoly within the region. Its major competitors include Air China and China Southern Airlines among others. As Yunnan is one of the most attractive tourist destinationsRead MoreSupply Chain Management Essay528 Words   |  3 PagesSupply chain holds a special place in B2B e-business. With the growth of internet and businesses operating electronically, the product life cycle has reduced to a large extent. This has increased the competition among the organizations to better manage their supply chain to satisfy the customers need in a competitive market. With the growth of information technology, the trends in determining the demand and supply are changing drastically. The organizations are developi ng and implementing betterRead MoreInternet Based Marketing And Ordinary Marketing Essay1425 Words   |  6 Pagesintroduction of internet based business or electronic commerce offers vast and unique opportunities to businesses which are able to compete in the same level with every other business. Internet marketing Commonly referred to as e-commerce, internet based marketing uses technology in enhancing the use of electronic money transfer, internet marketing, management of inventory and mobile commerce among others. With the growth of technology, e-commerce has expanded to applications in online shopping asRead MoreExpanding into E-Commerce1421 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Expanding into E-Commerce Off the Boardwalk and into the World Wide Web: A Four Point Analysis 1) The purpose of this section if to provide a SWOT analysis for a small, local clothing store on the New Jersey Boardwalk looking to transition into the online market place. Any boutique clothing store like the one provided has many strengths. The companys unique style helps differentiate it from its competitors. In addition, the company is small and flexible which enables it to employ different

Social Norm Paper Free Essays

Erika Lamberson Mrs. DeRoussell Psychology April 9, 2013 Social Norms P1. To be accepted by society people have to follow the norm. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Norm Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now When you step outside of the mainstream you are considered â€Å"different† no matter how right you are. That’s why when someone starts a movement people are against him, until enough people start do it his way and â€Å"it becomes the norm†. It is also called trying to fit in because if you do something out of the norm, you are pretty much an outsider. People get others to do things out of the norm every day, it just goes unnoticed. Most of the time people don’t do it in public because it isn’t something they want to draw attention to. I am choosing to violate the social norm of going through a drive-thru forwards in a vehicle. I am doing this to find out what kind of reactions I get when I do something out of the ‘social norm’. Going through the drive-thru backwards, whether it is at a fast food place or a bank is not said to be normal. Normally, people pull up to the window with their vehicle facing forward. When I do this social norm violation, I expect to get a lot of responses. This experiment will be very hard for me to do considering I will have to drive my vehicle in reverse. I predict that the responses will be to get weird looks or possibly laughed at. People don’t normally see someone coming through a drive-thru with their car faced backwards. Not only is it not normal, it can also be dangerous and embarrassing. My only concerns about completing this experiment are that I get it done safely without hurting myself, my vehicle, or anyone else for that matter. Since I will have to go through the drive-thru backwards, this is going to be a challenge. I will have to watch out of every mirror I have and also pay attention to the people behind me. P2. My plan to complete this social norm experiment is to go through the drive-thru at two different restaurants. The first one will be at a place called Taco Bell. The second will be at Burger King. This will be difficult because I have never gone through a drive-thru in reverse. I will order at the ordering station, and then pull up to the window, pay for my food, receive my food, all while driving in reverse. I will be observing the way the employees and customers act. Depending on how good this experiment goes, they will all understand why I am doing this. P3. The first thing I did when I pulled into Taco Bell was drive to the back of the restaurant and park my truck. I did this so I could make sure that there weren’t going to be a lot of people going through the drive-thru. The time of night is around 9 at this point, so there weren’t a lot of people out. I started to back up and go to the ordering station. The first curve to the ordering station is a little sharp so of course I had trouble while trying to drive in reverse. I had my boyfriend with me so he could help observe and order for me. After I got to the ordering station a car pulled up next in line. I couldn’t really see the look on their faces because their headlights were shining right in my eyes. The employee takes our order and we proceed to drive to the window. When we get to the window, the look on the girls face was priceless. When we received our food, we continued to drive backwards like nothing was wrong. Then came the hardest part of the experiment at Taco Bell, pulling back out onto the main road in reverse. My boyfriend and I made sure that no one was coming from either way just to keep from causing a wreck. I had to quickly pull out onto the main road and turn around as fast as possible. The second restaurant I did the social norms experiment at was Burger King. This place is never very busy so I decided I would go around lunch time. I also had my boyfriend do this one with me. It was around 1 PM on a rainy Saturday. The drive-thru of Burger King was way easier than Taco Bell because it is a lot wider and doesn’t have a sharp turn. I came to the ordering station and my boyfriend began to order our food. By the time we got to the window to pay for our food, there were 3 people standing there wondering what in the world we were doing. I explained to them why I was driving backwards, and they agreed that they thought it was a fun idea. After we got our food, they laughed and started talking about how they had always seen on the internet someone driving through a drive-thru backwards but hadn’t ever seen it in person. P4. The responses I got were very different at both places. I am not sure if it was because of the employees working or if it was just the time of the day that I went. The people at Taco Bell didn’t really have that much of a reaction. I got the hint that they just thought I was a stupid teenager that was trying to be cool. I did see one person in the back cooking that laughed and gave me a thumbs up. At Burger King they were so much more interested in what I was doing than anything else. They all gathered at the window and were laughing and carrying on and asking me all sorts of questions. I think I had very different reactions because it was late at night for Taco Bell and all the employees just wanted to go home. P5. The experience of violating a social norm was definitely thrilling. I don’t think I would have ever thought to do something like this without the realization of how important ‘social norms’ are. The experiment left me with more knowledge about how important social norms are to people. To go against a social norm is looked down on most of the time. I was really great to go out and do the opposite and see what the reactions were. Even though you don’t get a good reaction, another place may laugh with you. You should never be too embarrassed to try something out of the norm. How to cite Social Norm Paper, Papers

Creating and Managing Sustainable Competitive Advantage

Question: Discuss about the Creating and Managing for Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Answer: Introduction The whole idea of competitive advantage requires an ability to seize opportunities when they present themselves. Every company in the 21st-century era is investing heavily in value adding activities that add value to its competitive position. According to Schoemer (2010), competitive advantage is the ability of a firm to be top of a market, superior to all other competitors and producing the most desirable product or service at very low costs. Michael Porter defines competitive advantage as the favor a firm receives about market response as a result of low costs and unique products. This paper aims at reviewing Michael Porter's view and analysis of competitive advantage and the contemporary strategies to gain a competitive advantage so as to contribute to the knowledge of strategic implementation. Literature reviews on competitive advantage It may be easy to formulate a strategic plan, but it is the application framework that becomes an issue since it is more of a craft than a science (Hrebiniak, 2006). The early founders of this school of thought include Michael Porter who has been greatly credited for his contribution in business development. Further research has since then been conducted to add to the existing knowledge. According to Schoemer (2010), the theory of competitive advantage by Michael Porter tries to integrate the basics of comparative advantage by David Ricardo with the business strategies. Michael had his book titled competitive advantage. According to Porter, (1998), Porter gives rise to three generic strategies that enhance the strategic positioning of a company in the market; these include the lowest cost, differentiation, and focus. Figure 1 Porter 1998 showing the generic strategies of competitive advantage This can is explained according to West, Ford Ibrahim (2015), stated that a company could outdo its competitors if it is providing the market a product or service of value at more efficient means than competitors with low costs. Also, if they are designing their products and services at a more differentiated strategy that gives the customers more value than competitors (Porter, Levison, 1980). According to Schoemer (2010), there are two methods of gaining the advantage through costs which are increasing the profit to cost ratio and also lowering prices to get a larger market share. According to differentiation strategy is more applicable if the company produces customized products and services and aims for customer convenience which aims at reaching repetitive purchases. Differentiation should be based on methods that are hard to imitate (Kim, 2000; Porter, 2001).According to a definition by Schoemer (2010), differentiation involves making products and services according to the exp ectation of a particular customer base such that they find the product or service unique and therefore prefer its use. Research by Amit and Zott (2001), the various methods of product differentiation include design, performance, the speed of delivery, brand image, and product features. Companies using differentiation can enjoy premium prices of their unique products thus aiding in the achievement of a good competitive advantage (Merrilees, 2001). According to Hrebiniak, (2006), companies should analyze their value chain to determine where to apply the differentiation. According to Porter (2001) the market focus strategy aims at distinguishing the needs of a particular market segment and then producing goods and services that best suit the customer segment requirements. This approach is usually followed by smaller firms which cannot compete against the already established companies enjoying economies of scale. Kim et al. (2004) argue that the cost and differentiation strategies are most applicable in e-commerce and highly competitive environments since it is easier to target customers on online domains and to reduce prices in a crowded industry. However, according to Porter (1980) a firm will not necessarily gain a competitive advantage by combining the two strategies since they are conflicting in resources needed and also implementation, they may therefore be better off applied independently. Most studies have contrasted this view of Porter (Booth and Philip, 1998; Glazer, 1991; Hill 1988; Murray, 1988).The scholars say that the application of the cost and differentiation strategy is more efficient in unstable environments which call for flexibility in operation than consistent ones which may depend on only one strategy to survive. Kim (2004) also recommends that the combination of strategies is the most efficient way. Porter outlines five major forces that enable the establishment of the three generic strategies that can help in the implementation of various strategies in businesses. The five aspects of the model contribute to determining who will cover the market value and how they will do it. The diagram below is a representation of the five forces according to (McGrath, 2013) Fig 2. The five force model by Porter (1998) According to McGrath, (2013), the five forces are what determines the industries weaknesses and strengths and can help in identification of gaps in the market for strategic implementation. The approach states that the competition is not about who is the biggest but the most profitable. Profitability is determined by the five aspects of the model. There are the buyers who always want to buy more and pay less; the second determinant is the suppliers since they always want to provide less and earn more. Then there are the substitute products or services that are equal to what a company produces. The new entrants also introduce new competition to the industry. Then there are the real rivals who make competition intense and thus lower the customer coverage of a company. According to McGrath (2013), a company should analyze these five forces so as to establish which approach to use for the marketing strategy. In the contemporary world, a lot of diversions and improvement have been developed so as to enhance existing marketing strategies and survive the intense competition. According to McGrath (2013), companies cannot survive while operating in domestic markets only; they need to expand in the global scene. According to Jagdev, Browne, Brennan (2004), global marketing is being used by companies to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals. According to Rahman, (2008), global marketing refers to when managers and marketing department use various channels and techniques to reach customers in the international market. According to Jagdev, Browne, Brennan (2004), globalization as a strategy to gain competitive advantage has led to the production of more quality goods and services due to the intense competition. According to Rahman, (2008), the blue ocean strategy is a new approach that is being used by companies to determine their place in the market and what can be done to improve the market position. Globalization has become most appropriate especially for manufacturing enterprises that target the markets in developing countries where there is a deficiency in manufactured goods (McGrath, 2013). According to Lynch (2006) joint venture and alliances are among the modern business strategies to control most of the market and gain a competitive advantage. When companies join forces, they can combine resources, capabilities, and information thus leading to better production and marketing opportunities (Lynch, 2006). Companies that may not be involved in joint ventures are also applying methods like outsourcing and resource-based competition to reduce costs of operation. According to Rahman, (2008), outsourcing includes the alternative by a company to make a product instead of buying it, if its production is more expensive than ordering the product from another company. Another major strategy is the ethics and corporate social responsibility which ensure order and discipline. According to Dwivedi (2010), the approach has been proven to improve a company's image and thus giving it favor over part of the market. Corporate social responsibility refers to initiatives taken by businesses to ensure that the environment is kept safe and that the welfare of the citizens is empowered (Jagdev, Browne, Brennan 2004). The internet analysis as a competitive strategy has evolved in the recent years, and many companies are now using e-commerce for part of their activities and operations (Dwivedi 2010). The internet has become a hub of business activities making the world look like a small village. Companies like the Amazon can reach market segments of customers all over the world and therefore gain a sustainable competitive advantage over other companies not using the internet for their operations. Technological advancements and investment in innovation have become like a must do for companies seeking competitive advantage. According to Pattinson Low (2011), technological investment not only provides organization better methods of production and marketing but also influences the cost structure of a company. This way a company that invests in appropriate technology can operate on economies of scale thus enhancing its position in the market and improving its chances in sustainable competitive advantage. Emerging trends in the business world of competition Michael Porter made a lot of contribution toward the achievement of competitive advantage (Leng Hsu, 2015). The aim of this section is to analyze how the contemporary world has put these suggestions into practice and if the methods are useful. Competitive strategies require strategic planning and implementation (Dwivedi,2010). For this to happen, then the three foundations of Porter need to apply. The new trends in driving competitive position are diverse, but all converge at adding value to the customer goods and services, marketing channels and the overall production process so as to gain competitive advantage (Herschel, 2012).The trends can be categorized into value adding strategies, cost reducing strategies or both. The stream of technological innovation continues and will continue to provide the companies with up to date technologies that enable the reduction of costs and also add value to the production process which in turn leads to the production of quality goods and services. Technology is also allowing for the development of online marketing which enables companies to access more customers and make more sales. According to Pattinson, Low (2011), the major limitation with this strategy is that companies may not be aware of the most appropriate technology and may make random investments that may lead to losses since there will be little or no returns to investment. The game theory as a strategy for competitive advantage is being used by companies to gain an advantage. According to Pattinson, Low (2011), the game theory analyses the current trends in the market, and thinks ahead to the future whereby there is consideration of what the competitive market will be. The process is like a game of chess whereby a company checks their possible moves and those of the competitors and then assess which move is the most appropriate for a later win. This way a company designs techniques to emerge in a good market position. All that is required is that an organization should know the players, scope of competition, added values, and tactics and also be aware of the rules so as to be able to make the right move (Pattinson, Low 2011). The main areas in the application of the strategy include research and development, new product innovation, pricing and advertising. By understanding the current and future trends of this then an organization can come up with a game changer that acts to their advantage. A limitation is that the process is complicated and may involve some risks since it is involved with mere assumption but if done correctly the results are expected to be fruitful Hyper-competition is emerging as a trend in the modern world. According to Herschel, (2012), hyper competition is a strategy that has developed and which aims at destroying the competitive initiatives of a rival. Competition has become like a political game whereby some of the environments are losing the ethical professional practices and instead of working their way to being the most productive companies, they have opted to destroy that which makes a rival more competitive (Isik, 2013). Supply chain management and retailer values are emerging as a trend in the competitive arena as some of the new methods of conducting supply and procurement have improved and this is enabling companies to be able to reduce their costs through effective bargaining and use of cheaper and convenient supply channels (Pattinson, Low 2011). This strategy mainly applies to multi-national companies like Coca-cola which operate in most parts of the world and which require complexity in distribution. Another emerging trend which is very common is the mass customization which involves the production of customized goods and services that are personalized using manufacturing techniques that allow for low costs and mass production. According to Hsu (2015), Customization involves making alterations to a product for it to suit consumption needs of a particular group. According to Li,(2014), there are four forms of customization, the first is collaborative customization whereby the company engages customers in talks aiming to find out their need and how they wish products would be designed to best suit their needs. Adaptive customization is involved in the production of one standard good that allows for flexibility and which can be customized to suit dynamic needs (Li, 2014). Pennsylvania's Lutron Electronics Company is an excellent example of a company with adaptive techniques since they produce customized light bulbs that are adjustable to give various forms of lamination since some o f its customers believe that different lighting creates different moods (Netland, Aspelund,2013). The colour of the light can, therefore, range from bright white to dark blue among others and is adjusted according to the required atmosphere. Cosmetic customization is where a company uses different advertising techniques to various groups according to the structure and composition of the group to create the desired awareness to all customer groups (Li, 2014). The Planters Company (Nabisco) makes various adverts in response to the different product demands. According to Li, (2014), transparent customization is a move by companies to produce goods for specific markets without necessarily letting them know that the products are made for them. An example is Ohio's Chem Station that provides various soaps for different markets like soap for scrubbing floors in factory's and cleaning toilet bowls. Mass customization is enabled by well-established distribution channels and also the advancement in technology. Challenges with mass customization occur when a product is returned or when the supply chains are not efficient (Li, 2014). Nike is a company that has been employing globalization as a competitive advantage strategy for the last decade and more. Nike has made their foreign operations effective by participating in sponsorship and corporate social responsibility so as to gain favor over local citizens. The most common one is the sponsorship with Manchester United where they sponsored their matches and other necessities. Nike is located in over five continents and continues to prosper. In the past years, Nike has engaged in mass customization of their products so as to enhance the competitive position. The company is making customized shoes and products to satisfy the growing needs of customers and other businesses. The process has been a success though the initial costs of setup and operation were high. Returns to investment are expected to rise as the products gain more and more popularity. Coca- Cola company is also a multi national company that has had a competitive advantage in the market for a long time and whose products are distributed by almost every company in the world. No company has been able to outdo the goods and services of the enterprise. The company seems to have established a sustainable competitive advantage for itself. The Google Company is an online service company that is popular among its users due to the production of customized services that include advertising, web design, and search engines all which are aimed to suit the needs of various companies. The company also gains an advantage over its rivals due to constant investment in technology and research which enables them to reduce costs of production and making production more efficient (Herschel,2012). Knowledge integration The business environment has evolved significantly since the days of Michael Porter among other scholars who contributed to the understanding of competitive advantage. The generic strategies by Porter that include gaining competitive advantage through techniques of lowering costs, differentiation and market focus (Pattinson, Low 2011). The question to be asked is, are these contributions still valid or not in the contemporary world or has everything changed? Modern strategies to outdo competitors and acquire a favorable position in the market are based on the very foundation that Porter built. Many of the strategies aim at reducing costs and being unique while focusing on market segmentation to understand the needs of the various market components. Globalization, for example, is a strategy that aims at gaining competitive advantage as it allows focus on diverse groups in different countries (Hughes, 2001), through international operations a company can understand the nature and comp osition of the market and thereby establishes gaps in the provision of goods and services in which it invests. Mass customization is a new method which is also based on the focus and differentiation strategies postulated by Porter. The mass customization is characterized by lowering costs and increasing mass production which is the theory of Porter (Stojkovic,Djordjevic,Sajfert,2012). The use of technology aims at improving means of production that allow for brand uniqueness or differentiation of products, marketing and also to lower the costs of production. The game theory is an emerging trend in the business world that involves making an analysis of the environment which is similar to the five-way model by Porter that describes the components of the market that affect the competitive position of the company (O'Shaughnessy,1996). Joint ventures and alliances are intended to collaborate resources and information so as to reduce costs and increase the scope of operation in an attempt to experience economies of scale. The principal aim of outsourcing is to buy products which the company deems expensive to produce, and thus Porters cost reduction is observed (Dwivedi, 2010). Porter talked about value to customer initiatives which are what the latest methods are aiming at doing, providing customers the best value of goods and services to gain their loyalty (Alfadda, 2010). All these are strategies by companies to gain a competitive advantage by applying the basic ideas given by Porter. It is true to say that, yes, the theory of Michael Porter is still relevant to the business world since it provides a basis for companies to exploit and develop competitive strategies (Dwivedi, 2010). Porter made an excellent contribution in the five sources of competition for the business, and so the contemporary world has benefited since they know the value of studying the environment before they formulate a strategy. References Alfadda, B. (2010). 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