SOUTHWEST AIRLINES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - Essay Example This in turn led to a correction in the industry’s long-haul pricing structure where at times airlines were forced to offer prices lower that their costs. The deregulation of the airline industry in 1978 has been a failure and the airlines are more like public utilities than ordinary businesses (Roberts, 2008). SWA operated out of Texas and was doing much better than the regulated airlines because of fewer regulations in the state. The industry today is full of uncertainties with airlines merger becoming common. The greatest strength of SWA is its superior asset utilization. Its flight schedule structuring is such that its turnaround is 20 minutes. SWA flies its planes 20 to 30 percent more hours than other major airlines. They have fewer employees per aircraft, fly fewer passengers per employee and have more available seat miles per employee (Pfeffer, 2005). They do not use the standard hub-and-spoke model like most carriers but have the a point-to-point route network and is thus able to minimize the domino effect of flight delays thereby maximizing asset utilization (Kearney, 2008). Another major strength is highly motivated workforce. SWA achieved success not from economies of scale but the airline is known for its very productive, very motivated and unionized workforce (Bacon, 2001). They encourage individuality and they encourage leadership. The employees always come first with the company and the customers a respected second (Miles & Mangold, 2005). A failure is accepted as natural and pardonable at SWA (Bunz & Maes, 1998). They are encouraged to take responsibility for their acts and celebrate mistakes as well as triumphs. The culture of the firm and the dedication to the employees sees the airline through any obstacles and challenges (Singh, 2002). The recent soaring of fuel price has disturbed the airlines industry globally. Eight US airlines have gone out of business in less than a year, one is in bankruptcy and many others are

Ethnorelativism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethnorelativism - Essay Example By taking a step outside of this situation one has to place their culture and region in the same context as other cultures and religions. Ethnocentrism’s goal is to separate the world into two opposing factions for the different religions; that is, us against them. The practice of ethnocentrism in a country such as the United States, individual groups are either friend or foes to the cause; superiority of an individual group. In short, ethnocentrism expounds on social differences and scholars describe it as prejudice broadly conceived. A practical example is the â€Å"handling of international relations, creating conflicts and inhibiting resolution of conflicts†. When two groups are in conflict, each group will view the conflict from a subjective standpoint and view the opposing group as threatening. America being the melting point of cultures should be a neutral place where everyone is able to express their individual cultures. However, this is not usually the case, as some cultures are naturally perceived to be superior to others. As with individuals, every culture has its own unique characteristics that differentiate them from the rest. These differences, nevertheless, are the reason for cultural conflicts that exist in society. Despite ethnocentrism being a negative trait, each individual has the capability to propagate ethnocentrism. Booth states that self-pride, and to a large extent cultural pride, increases the tendency of individuals to assume that their cultures are superior to others (49).