Three Eras in Policy Analysis: Review of Radin’s “Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Reaches Midlife”

Policy Analysis as a systematized body of knowledge or field of study has been defined in several ways. For example, Mayer, Els van Daalen, and Bots (n.d.) define Policy Analysis as a multi-faceted field in which a variety of different activities and ambitions have found a place; as a broad and versatile field of applied policy research and advice, where a multitude of perspectives and methods have developed. Vaitsman, Lobato, and Ribeiro (2013), state that policy analysis refers to either an interdisciplinary or applied field within the social sciences dealing with all of the activities within a planning system and which provides information for policy decision-makers in administrative and political systems. Policy analysis simply defines the problem and the goals, examines the arguments, and analyzes implementation of the policy regarding issues, usually issues involving the intermingling perspectives, rights, responsibilities and interests of stakeholders. There are many books written on Policy Analysis and the policy process. Among them is a notable reader written by Beryl A. Radin, a faculty in the Georgetown Public Policy Institute and McCourt School of Public Policy at George Washington University. This book is the second in her series chronicling the practice and systematization of Public Policy, and titled, Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Reaches Midlife (2013), the first being Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Reaches Midlife (2004). In the work under review, the author provides an overview of Radin’s book and looks at the three fictional persons that Radin develops, and explains how these three persons represent different ways of doing policy analysis.  The author also critiques Radin’s model by looking at the strengths and weaknesses of each different approach. In the final analysis, the author deliberates on which model represents the best way to doing policy analysis with an understanding that each has its merits

The Strategic Importance of Customer Value

This paper examines the importance of customer value as a strategic approach to doing business in the 21st century hypercompetitive marketplace and marketspace. The author examines the customer value theory of Professor Art Weinstein as a valid and plausible conceptual framework for strategically positioning an organization through market orientation to design and deliver superior customer value as a competitive advantage. Citing examples of new economy companies that have effectively propelled themselves to the forefront of the competition through the delivery of superior customer value, the author argues that customers are not simply just consumers or buyers of goods and services, but must be seen more like business partners. Furthermore, the author examines the role that customer service and value creation play in the development of competitive advantage and market positions by examining the differences between market driving and market driven companies relative to the customer value concept and theory. Two important frameworks proposed by Weinstein in his customer value theory are used as the framework for this paper to communicate the strategic importance of customer value: the Customer Value Funnel (CVF) and the SQIP (Service, Quality, Image, Price) Approach

The Advantages and Disadvantages of the 2011 New Patent “First-to-File” System

This paper examines the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the new patent law or change that shifts the patenting system of the United States from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system. The author briefly describes the historical process of filing a patent as based on the “first-to-invent” system, and then explores and defines the change in patent law which occurred under the America Invents Act (AIA) of 2011, and which has come to be known as a “first-to-file” system. The advantages and disadvantages of this new patent law filing system are explored relative to the challenges of the former “first-to-invent” system. Finally, the author deliberates on its potential and future impact given current competitive, economic, legal, and political challenges. Keywords: America Invents Act (AIA), Entrepreneurship, First-to-file system, First-to-invent system, Nonobvious, Novel, Patent law, Patent, U.S. Constitution, Useful, U.S. Patent Act, U.S. Code, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Understanding the Challenges of Science Education in the 21st Century: New Opportunities for Scientific Literacy

This essay examines the challenges of science education in the 21st century with regard to social, cultural, economic, political and pedagogical issues impacting and influencing instructional methodology and understanding of the role of science education as it affects individual, social organizational and societal progress and functions. Drawing upon some strong practical, philosophical, and pedagogical-methodological and theoretical ideas and propositions from Hodson, as espoused in his book Looking to the Future: Building a Curriculum for Social Activism, the author essentially responds to this extremely rich scholarly volume in scientific literacy, philosophy, and history by supporting Hodson’s advocacy of an action-oriented and issues-based curriculum as the key to renewing and activating scientific literacy to increase students’ performance and national competitiveness in the global economy. The author extricates from literature, not only strong rationale for the renewal and transformational of science education in terms of perspective and approach, but also takes a critical approach in examining some of Hodson’s contentions regarding strategies in confronting socioscientifc issues as major pathways to the teaching and learning of science. The author examines problems, challenges, and the new opportunities that have emerged and are emerging in contemporary environmental, social, cultural and political contexts for science education to experience transformation in several ways: as a field of study, as an applied body of knowledge, as a way of living and as a competitive tool and strategy important to national goals and posterity

Exposing the Various Non-State Actors of Repression and Causes of Extreme Repression

This paper exposes the non-state actors of repression by describing their roles and modus operandi, and their impact on citizens and the power of the state as the monopolizer of legitimate use of coercion or physical force. Repression is perceived as the coercive use of power through physical actions that may include different types of violence by the state and certain non-state actors to induce or prohibit certain behaviors, responses, or actions from citizens, and oppositions, as a way of communicating or strengthening the authority of a state, monarch, or government. It also includes the use of information and intelligence to create situations of oppression for citizens. Repression is a widespread practice in modern society and a challenge to the interactions and relationships of citizens and nations

The challenges to professional standing among academics

In this paper, the author looks at the challenges to professional standing among academics. Using Michael Zweig's contention that, "The challenge to professional standing among academics is not only a question of tenure" (27), the author explores this perspective by examining the state of higher educational institutions and 21st. century trends and factors that affect academic standing across universities and colleges. The author views the changes in human values and profession, global cultural transition, and the changing face of the university from an intellectual to a corporate-oriented model among the factors affecting the professional standing of academics. The transition of the university from faculty-oriented and controlled to administrator-oriented and operated, is seen as a critical factor in this regard as advocated by authors Benjamin Ginsberg and Steven Johnson. Other factors affecting professional standing are related to traits including gender and race as evident from the works of Diggs, Garrison-Wade, Estrada, and Galindo. The author examines the perspectives of several authoritative writers and sources including Ginsberg, Readings, Newman, and Johnson on the university and faculty standing. The author concludes that as colleges and universities are increasingly confronted with new challenges, professional standing among academics will continue to be challenged

Traditional And Virtual Performance Management Functions In The Age Of Information Technology

The effects of information technology developments on the traditional roles of managers over the past decades have been extraordinary, especially when we consider the numerous changes these developments have brought to the global environment of business. The paper examines these effects by examining the changing nature of managerial roles in historical and contemporary contexts. The paper briefly describes  managerial roles and functions dating back to the Industrial Revolution and Scientific Management era, with transitions up to the present technological and service-oriented market economies in which the use of information technology (IT) and knowledge have become  vital tools for survival, growth, the  building of competitive advantage, and success in achieving organizational goals. The paper examines the effects of information technology (IT) developments on the role of managers using the four fundamental functions of management theory: planning, organizing, controlling, and leading. The paper concludes with an examination of information technology developments on the roles of managers from a Mintzbergian viewpoint

Using a Marketing Faculty Blog as an Image Differentiator and Learning Resource to Enhance MBA Student Engagement and Loyalty

Universities should strive to emotionally connect with their current students, alumni, and the business community. As learning has morphed into e-learning, higher education marketers must turn to new online approaches to communicate effectively with key stakeholders. A blog can be used to share the latest thinking in marketing, respond to changing customer demands, build brand awareness, and maximize opportunities for user involvement. Using web metrics and strategic insights, the authors demonstrate how a blog can be a powerful digital tool to enhance MBA student involvement and retention. Keywords: Blogging, teaching innovation, integrated marketing communications (IMC), student engagement, value creation, MBA program

A Positive Theory of Stereotyping and Stereotypes: Is Stereotyping Useful?

This paper represents a "developing" perspective on stereotyping and stereotypes. The paper briefly introduces a less popular and potentially new theory or perspective on stereotyping, a process or social phenomenon often seen as a highly undesirable and negative in modern society. The author cites cultural dimension theory, socialization, social learning, cultural syncretism, and other sociological and behavioral processes and theories as having both elements and bases for stereotyping and stereotypes. The author agues that these processes by their very nature make stereotyping natural, if not a legitimate rationale approach to human relationships, interaction, and communication in the process of knowing each other as well as self more fully. This perspective does not underscore the negative aspects and consequences of stereotyping and stereotypes as we have come to know them in our modern society and everyday living. The author also proposes a Social Competitive Theory of Stereotypes to further explain the "usefulness" from a Darwinian and materially oriented Malthusian perspective - resources competition makes stereotyping a necessity. The author recommends further consideration on the views presented in this paper, and if possible, further research into the positive perspective or view of stereotyping and stereotypes as serving an important social function