Universal Healthcare in the United States Term Paper

Universal Healthcare in the United States - Term Paper Example To be noted is that as a concept, universal health care does not simply imply the coverage of individuals for all risks i.e. one-size-fits-all conceptualization. Rather as Navarro (1989) portrays, it is determined by three fundamental dimensions – those covered; services that are covered, and what amount of total costs (accrued), are covered. Health care systems are in a majority of states funded through mixed models of funding. Generally, revenues accrued from taxation do compose the primary funding source, with most countries supplementing the revenues with specific levies. This is essentially by way of a mix of private and public contributions thereby ‘spreading’ the costs over a larger population. Compulsory insurance is a key avenue of enhancing universal healthcare, usually enforced by way of legislation in given jurisdictional arenas. This may thereafter, necessitate citizens to purchase their insurance; but in many cases (in effect), it is the government that provides such insurance, as part of its social welfare responsibilities. Examples of compulsory insurance contexts are exemplified by both the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Swiss Healthcare system. In the U.S., the crusade for some form of universal healthcare (government-funded) is traceable to the 20th Century with advocacy of the same facing different obstacles despite close success. While other developed states had initiated some form of social insurance, proponents in the U.S. continued facing hurdles, especially as a result of the federal government (then), leaving each state to its own doing. The different states in turn left such matters to voluntary and/ or private programs, based perhaps on the lack of national legislation. It is however during the Progressive Era that major undertakings took place, with reformers working on enhancing social conditions for the growing working class (Navarro, 1989). Unlike

Strategic Capability of Organization Assignment

Strategic Capability of Organization - Assignment Example The marketing strategy and orientation focus on innovation, strategic capabilities and competitive environment, general business environment of the company, and the political, environmental, economic, social and technological factors would be considered along with the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the business environment. Sony is a leader in the global electronics industry and global market as its global presence is seen in all markets across different regions of the world. Sony has global competitors and different competitors for its wide ranging products from cameras to cell phones, computers to MP3 players. In case of mobile phones, Nokia would be its toughest competitor whereas for MP3 players, Apple would be its closest competitor, for computers and laptops, Toshiba and Compaq would be the other players in the market and Samsung also remains one of its major competitors in all other product areas. The research and development unit of Sony is studied here and the R&D unit of the company would relate to marketing and strategic needs of the organization and recommendations are provided on what changes should be made within the strategic management of the company so that maximum productivity and performance could be attained within the specific business environment (Bradbury and Kissel, 2006). SWOT Analysis - Competitive Advantages The strengths of Sony or its competitive advantages would be its brand name and strong brand presence (Kerckhove, 2002) and its extensive advertising and marketing strategy that highlights innovative products around the world in accordance with the needs of the global markets. Sony is focused on meeting the needs of consumers of all ages and cultures and especially focuses on meeting the needs of the youth by constantly upgrading its technology to meet the demands of the market and to keep up with a rapidly changing electronics market. The focus of the company is on innovation (Harryson, 1997), well developed and well equipped R&D facilities, talented product engineers and managers and the company's leadership and established position in a global market. Capability Gaps The weaknesses or capability gaps would be its flaws in its corporate strategy that may not always be culturally sensitive, very established competitors and continuous new product development initiatives by competitors can leave Sony behind, higher costs of Sony products may not be within reach of a large consumer base and fluctuating economies in certain countries where Sony has made its foray would be a major disadvantage. Opportunities for Sony will be entry into new markets and focusing on continuous and new innovative products and product development through R&D that can give it an edge over competitors (Arimura, 1999). The threats of the company would be its competitive environment and in product areas such as mobile phones, Nokia is its primary competitor, in computers and laptops, Toshiba and Compaq are close competitors, in MP3 music players, Apple seems to have a leading role in the market with its