Low Cost Airlines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Low Cost Airlines - Case Study Example based on variance of services, has been the entry in the industry of Low Cost Airlines. The Southwest airline initially started its operation with short-haul destinations i.e. less than 1,500 km, and at present the company has increased its activities beyond the initial values. It has introduced new airplanes into operations, but initially it was particular number of airplanes which were on continuous run. The performance of the Southwest airline has been encouraging due to adoption of effective techniques, the company recorded net profit of USD 413 million in 2001, which is lower than in 2000, but the company was the only profitable airline in United States in 2001. Southwest has planned to create more than 4,000 jobs in 2002. The company at retained low unit costs (costs per ASM): 7.66 cents in 2001, against the cost of 7.73 cents in 2000. The Southwest Company has kept safety as important criteria for the evaluation of its operations, and this is an important aspect of management with reference to Health and Safety, the practice is not widely popular among other low cost airlines, and therefore the Southwest has successful to retain maximum market shares. According to Carlton, the company has complied by the International and National standards of safety and operations, and has invested sufficient amount in this regard. The company's most important management has been its adherence to quality service, and this is termed as an important strategic element for the company. The company purchased Boeing 737 to capsulate required stand-by crews, lower training and maintenance cost. The company has involved its aircraft into continuous operations i.e. higher aircraft utilization. As a result, South West's utilization rate is 7.1 hours. (Carlton, 2000) Southwest has adopted different and effective mode of service, which is of great relevance, the airline has introduced an innovation distribution system through Internet, and telephone and travel agency i.e. traditional modes. The airline has further adopted strategies based on horizontal product differentiation that has proved to be important competitive element for the Southwest. The horizontally differentiated products have no classification of the particular product and brand in terms of qualities. The success of the Southwest Airline has been the function of its ability to introduce and maintain minimum operating cost, and implementation of pricing strategies which have attracted different segments of consumers and have increased the load factors of carriers, which has further contributed towards sustenance of minimum cost. According to Clemons, the airline has preferred its operations in the regional airports, and which is based on strategic considerations, and subsequently the price factor. (Clemons, 2001) Southwest is considered to be the leader among the Low Cost Airlines, and the airline has professional edge over its competitors. The airline has adopted following measures to ensure that the traveling cost can be reduced significantly, for the convenience of the traveler and company's expenses. IN Varian has appreciated the plan, according to which, the Airline offers no meals, drinks, and snacks for free, and narrow seating arrangement has been adopted, the company offers no services for the

How and Why Cultural Groups Tend to See Themselves Essay

How and Why Cultural Groups Tend to See Themselves - Essay Example The approach which is taken allows individuals to continue to hold onto a sense of identity. However, by doing this, there is a loss of learning and ability to understand and accept the mechanics of other cultures. The opposition which is created further creates divisions that do not allow others to have the right perception and insight into creating and integrating solutions and needs within society. Examining the perceptions by Kwame Appiah from â€Å"Moral Disagreement† and Franklin Foer’s â€Å"How Soccer Explains the World† provides further insight into why the boundaries among groups are considered important and the ways in which this develops and changes the cultural groups in an emerging global society. The work of Foer is based on the division between pro – soccer and anti – soccer Americans. The division is one which works as an analogy in understanding the difficulties that are created in terms of boundaries and identity between two groups. The boundaries which Foer identifies move further into those who have this identity because it relates to nationality, ethnicity, culture and deeper issues which prevail among those in society. One is able to instantly create a space which they can relate to and remain safe in while those on the outside are kept as unsafe and should not be associated with the group (Foer, 12). The association which Foer creates to this and the idea of safety that comes from various cultural groups is then questioned by the author. While there is a sense of protection and safety in this regard, there is also a lack of being able to work effectively in various areas. Foer creates an analogy to business in which the customs and traditions have to be left aside to complete the end goal. However, this also becomes a threat to other cultural groups that do not recognize this practice, leaving a lack of identity and understanding and causing the boundaries to heighten instead (Foer, 140). The analogies which Foer examines in terms of us versus them and the boundaries of culture are further identified through Appiah’s â€Å"Moral Disagreement.† The theme which is called upon shows that cultural groups have different perceptions of themselves that they do not equate with groups outside of themselves. The cultural groups that are created are defined with the need to carry a similar identity and understanding of where one belongs and the practices they take part in. If one is outside of this group, they may carry a lack of being able to have the same perspective or beliefs. To many, this becomes threatening and causes disruptions in the practices, traditions and beliefs of many. Even more than this, the morality and the actions of groups which do not understand the practices of another can become disrespectful to the other group and the deeply embedded religious, moral or traditional beliefs which are continuously practiced. This particular threat builds even more boundaries among groups and creates a perception of one group holding a sense of ignorance toward another (Appiah, 6). Both of the associations with identity, cultural groups and morality become questionable because of the way in which the world is beginning to change and develop. The move into globalization is leading into all areas of life beginning to break boundaries in terms of sports, business, culture and exchanges which are occurring. This breaking of boundaries is one which is becoming a threat to many, specifically because of the perspective that the other cultures will also break the practices, rituals and beliefs of alternative cultures. This develops more boundaries between both sides and is creating conflicts and disagreemen ts between both sides. The belief in threatening identity and the associations with the problems of culture are then creating even more groups and