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Nurse Education in Practice, Student perceptions of support in practice Critique
Helen and Sharp 2009 define evidence based practice as a practice that is supported by clear reasoning, taking into account the patient’s or client’s preferences and using one’s own judgments. Health and social care practitioners in evaluating a research material need to have a clear understanding of the methods and types of research undertaken and how they may be applied in the health and social care setting. Various scholars require that caution be used in the application of any research findings to health and social care practices. A thorough analysis is essential before an application. Understating the strengths and weaknesses of a research material is thus essential in determining the best practices in health and social care. Critiquing skills are also essential in the analysis of a research material and providing recommendations for a medical practice. In this essay, I will analyze and critique two different research papers; the first section will deal with analysis and critique of Nurse Education in Practice: The concept of reflection in nursing: Qualitative findings on student and teacher perspectives, the second section will deal with analyzing and critique of Nurse Education in Practice: Student perceptions of support in practice Critique”.
The concept of reflection in nursing: Qualitative findings on student and teacher perspectives.
According to Charmaz (2006), it is significant to analyze a research material to help determine the reliability and suitability of a given research process and analysis. The results of the critique and analysis help to determine the appropriateness and reliability of a research material. The first research material does not provide more information as regarding the researcher but only that they are from Faculty of Health and Life Sciences United Kingdom University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. The other researches that have been carried out by the researcher are not stated either.
Titles and abstract
According to Barbara (1995), the main aims of a summary are to state the research problem and its significance. Summary also gives supporting information by the help of reviewing past research materials, discussing the theoretical implications of the research, identifying the reason of the study, and presenting the hypothesis to be studied, objectives to be met, or the specific question to be answered. It is therefore important to review the summary a research material for the above mentioned requirements.
A title and abstract should be short, concise and clearly state the aims of the research paper. Abstract is one of the initial parts of the research that readers review to decide whether or not they will go on reading. From reading the abstract the reader should be able to identify the research objectives, what was being measured, research method used, and major research findings. The research paper has a clear and concise title. The aims of the research material are clearly stated and one can easily tell form the title and abstract. The abstract in this research, being well written serves as one of the most important paragraphs of the paper.
In this research, the abstract has successfully provided a summary of the research and can be used by database retrieval services in indexing the research. The title is also short and clearly states what is being studied as it says “The concept of reflection in nursing: Qualitative findings on student and teacher perspectives.” The research has an accurate, self-contained, specific and non-evaluative abstract leading to the strengths of this study. The coherence and readability of the title and abstract also contributes to the research’s strengths and thus its appropriateness. The abstract or summary further provided clearly stated research background and aim, design and participants, research methods employed, the research findings, and conclusion (Charmaz, 2006). In contrast, the summary lacks details about the major findings of the research, which to ought to have been included. The reader by a quick glance at the summary might not be able to identify the main findings of the research and so the weakness of this summary.
Literature review
Barbara (1995) states that a literature review ought to provide supportive information for a given study. He further states that literature review should be restrictive to the most relevant and recent previous studies. The main aim of the literature review should be to establish the framework, provide a theoretical base, and place the content of the research into previously reported researches. Although some research materials used in the literature review dates back to 1967, like Wittgenstein’s, Philosophical Investigations Blackwell, Oxford, majority of the materials are up to date. Taking the number of recent research material used, the literature review reflects the defined aims and supports the theoretical framework of the research.
The literature examines original investigations, other literature reviews, peer reviewed academic literature, research databases, reviews, journals in various academic fields and original manuscripts that relate to beneficiary satisfaction (Charmaz, 2006). Since a search in the research databases produces a big number of results, the reviewed literature sources are picked on a random- sample strategy (Camilla, 2003). For instance, the interviewees and documentary data were picked at random.
Ethical considerations
A significant role of a research that is demonstrated in this research is the incorporation of ethical approval and ensuring the wellbeing of participants. This based on the research was achieved by going through a process of formal ethical approval. However, the non-predictive nature of action research means that it is also important to mutually agree an ethical code of practice at the start of the study. Clarke (2005) highlights various ethical code issues and principles of procedure. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional relationship, guided by a duty of care and respect for the individual; regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity along with a respect for cultural diversity and individual dignity, as well as protection from harm. This last principle is part of any researcher’s role, in addition to the need for informed consent and honesty. However, Clarke (2005) suggests that there are other principles of procedure that should be followed in action research.
Having an ethical code of practice does not negate the additional need for research governance and formal ethical approval for action research. However, these quality processes are made all the more complex by researcher not being able to say in advance what the research will do. Research proposals need to be written in collaboration with participants, often as co-applicants, with an inbuilt degree of flexibility. The researcher indicates the likely course of the study specifies the need for flexibility and enters into open and ongoing dialogue with ethical committees to seek approval for emergent changes in design. The author abided by the ethical consideration. Ethical approval was gained from National Health Services and from the University hosting program. The participants had freedom to withdraw any moment. The data submitted by the respondents were kept secure, locations, names of the respondents were never disclosed, and so author abide by the ethical considerations.
Research methodology
According to Barbara (1995), the research methodology should be a description of how the research was conducted. The description enhances the reader’s understanding of the research outcomes, provides a basis of the evaluation by the reader, and gives enough information for possible replication. According to Munhall (2007, the research methodology should contain participants, apparatus, instrumentation, and procedure and data collection techniques. Creswell (2002) further emphasizes that the section should contain a description of the sample and the site of research. It should also contain access to and permission form of for the participants, instruments employed in the research including their suitability and reliability and procedure use in the study.
The research tool is usually measured in terms of reliability, validity and sensitivity as well as specificity. These concepts were also applied in this study by the researcher to ascertain the reliability of the study. According to Caldwell (2003), reliability is the ability by which a study is able to produce results that are consistent and stable over a given period of time and given similar circumstances (Caldwell, 2003). Various types of validities exist that include internal validity and external validity. Internal validity relates to the correlation between items when measured on a scale. Whenever a study provides the same results after the application of two different measures, the outcome is said to be equivalent.
Validity is the extent to which a given instrument is designed to measure. The validity of a study can vary in different samples used. In one situation, a study can be valid while in other scenarios, it may not. The validity of a study is measured by what the study claims to and the availability of logical errors in the conclusions drawn from the study. According to Crotty (2003), internal validity is the extent to which it is possible to make independent reference from the findings of a study especially if the independent variable influences the dependent variable. In contrast, external validity is the general application of the findings of a study to other settings.
This research being a quantitative usually makes an emphasis on transforming the data quantities and the models of statistics for purposes of measuring and analyzing data. The research topics in which researchers use this method have clear idea of what they look or search for and tools like questionnaires are used to collect data (Clarke, 2005). Qualitative approach makes the researcher understand the phenomenon under study and be in a position to describe the whole situation as it is. Quantitative approach has its focus on the preciseness of data that is seen in terms of measuring data. Quantitative approach to a research involves using statistical data analyses to obtain information about the study simply because the approach is based on measuring the quantity or amount.
To realize the use deductive approach, quantitative research use tools of collective and analyzing data like questionnaires and interviews were used. Quantitative tools were preferred as compared to qualitative tools because they enabled the researcher to come up with facts. This is unlike qualitative tools that first come up with an abstract idea that is followed by creation of theories and concepts about the idea. As well, data in quantitative research is hard evidence and reliable as compared with qualitative research where data that is just rich and deep (Clarke, 2005). The good organization and presentation of the research techniques contributes to the suitability of the analysis.
In my thinking, the paper fully followed the research procedure; all the ethical considerations were taken into accounts. The paper is concise and flow smoothly, making it easy to interpret and follow the author’s arguments.
Nurse Education in Practice: Student perceptions of support in practice
Title and abstract
The research commences with a clearly stated abstract that states the reason for the study, where the study was conducted and the research method used. The title “Student perceptions of support in practice” is very clear and concise. It clearly shows the reader the direction and objectives of the research. More information about the authors is not stated and so their reliability and past researches cannot be identified. The only information that can be depicted is that the researchers are from the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester, United Kingdom. From this perspective, the reader cannot determine the reliability, authenticity and experience of the researcher in conducting such a study. However, the above mentioned point cannot be used to evaluate this study since it relies on other recently published studies to arrive at the results.
The summary of the research might not be completed to help a reader determine the key aspects of the study. The summary does not provide a clear guideline on how the research was conducted, the instruments used, and the key findings. The summary however provides information on the sampling technique, sampling areas, sampling population. The research summary therefore provides sufficient information for the reader to decide whether the research is of interest or not.
Literature review
According to Hughes et al., (2006), a research literature review should be a systematic, explicit and reproducible method for identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the present body of completed and recorded work produced by other scholars and practitioners. The literature examines original investigations, other literature reviews, peer reviewed academic literature, research databases, reviews, journals in various academic fields and original manuscripts that relate to beneficiary satisfaction (Charmaz, 2006). Since a search in the research databases produces a big number of results, the reviewed literature sources are picked on a random- sample strategy (Camilla, 2003). The literature review represents both breadth and depth in exploring around the subject and thus the strength of the research.
This literature review is a good theoretical framework as it identifies and defines the important variables in the situation that are relevant to the problem and subsequently describes and explains the interconnections among these variables. The relationships among the independent variables, the dependent variable(s), and, if applicable, the moderating variable(s), it is important to explain how and what specific relationships the moderate. For example, in the literature review, the author takes an example of a research carried by Brown and Edelman 2000 where theoretical knowledge, academic study, and personal expectations are explored.
Research methodology
The methodological framework of the study was mixed method entailing the use of questionnaires. Use of questionnaires in the study ensured thorough data collection on exploring the perceptions and experiences of nursing students regarding support in practice settings as the aim of the research. A qualitative study aimed to derive a detailed description of the phenomenon studied. The researcher took a key role in the data collection process. The outcome was data in the form of words and other descriptive forms. It was expected that some effects was measurable while other effects might not (Charmaz, 2006). Using the qualitative study ensured that the un- measurable were explored.
According to Mandan (2005), a quantitative study aims to classify, count and use measures to explain the condition or situation being studied. Data collection instruments, which are prepared beforehand, comprise the tools in collecting data (Mandan, 2005). The result was data in the form of numbers and statistical measures. Using quantitative study ensured that the measurable effects of perceptions and experiences of nursing students regarding support in practice settings were explored.
Another notable threat to the research validity was the method of selection that might be (though the probability cannot be determined) biased. Since participation in the study by respondents was voluntary, selection bias was likely to affect the internal validity. Instruments used were also identified by the scholars as another factor that affects internal validity. Any change or alterations made in the measurement of variables or changes in the techniques of observation. This may justify changes in the measurement that was ultimately obtained. This was evident from various researches (Camilla, 2003). A good way of dealing with this was to ensure consistency of the data analyzed and method used and techniques applied by the researcher.
There was no doubt that some respondents might not be comfortable with sharing information which, in their opinion, was sensitive; this also applies to certain experiences about which the researcher might be inquiring. The main reason for this was the likelihood that the researcher might fail to maintain confidentiality with the respondents. In the respect, the researcher will have to assure and promise that no such breach of confidentiality, whatsoever, will take place (Guthrie, 2001).
Questionnaires are a relatively convenient approach, which allowed matters of concern to the study to be carefully recognized and discovered. The method allowed the researcher to refine and narrow down the respondent’s ideas to concentrate on the specific research objectives. Questionnaires took less time to complete as compared to interviews, which required well-structured questions to obtain same information. Data collected was less biased when being interpreted. Questionnaires served as a good technique for collecting statistical facts about the research topic. It was easy to observe confidentiality when conducting questionnaires to gain honesty from participants. The questionnaire was designed to elicit experience and perceptions of the learners and to explore further themes, focus group was used.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical considerations are critical to the research process. Informed consent and confidentiality are fundamental to the conducting of primary research involving human participants and were assured in order for research to conform to ethical practice (Bryman & Bell, 2007). In the majority of instances in research, informed consent is guaranteed providing each research participant with an explanation of the purpose of the research. They were also informed of their right to withdraw from participating in the research at any stage should they choose to do so.
Personal information was not sought or collected in the questionnaire. Any personal information collected in the interviews that could identity any interviewee was changed. This measure ensured participant anonymity and guaranteed the confidentiality of data. In respect of data protection and storage, ethical practice was followed in ensuring all data was stored securely. As with informed consent and confidentiality, the ethical procedure for data protection was included in the questionnaire. In addition, the research instruments did not contain anything that threatened or subjected participants to any form of distress or harm and thus the strength of the research method used. The arguments in this research are presented in a logical manner, clearly readable and follow research procedures.
Analysis
The research outcome was descriptive which helped in summarizing useful information from both literature review and questionnaires. The tables and charts assisted in representing the data in a logical manner. The chats also helped in presentation of the data in a readable and manageable manner. The analysis section also followed a logical path which occasionally related back to the literature review in maintaining context and for consistency. The researcher in the end also acknowledged the weaknesses of the research method and this paper.
The analysis section was organized and easy to follow. The questionnaire were thoroughly analyzed using excel for closed data and qualitatively analyzed for open questions. This ensured all aspects of data were analyzed. Where limitations in the analysis appeared, experienced researchers verified the themes.
References
Barbara L., (1995). Music Therapy Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives. Barcelona: Barcelona Publishers.
Blaxter L, Hughes C, and Tight M, (2006). How to Research. Publisher, London: McGraw-Hill International.
Caldwell E., (2003). Research Designs and their Applications: Connecticut: Engage
Publishers.
Camilla M, (2003). Textbook of Basic Research Methods, New York: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins. Pp. 45-56.
Charmaz K, (2006), Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Clarke A, (2005). Situational Analysis: Grounded Theory After the Postmodern Turn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Helen A and Sharp P (2009). A Beginner’s Guide to Evidence Based Practice in Health and Social Care. Publisher McGraw-Hill International.
Jeon Y., (2004). The Application of Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, Australia: University of Technology.
Kabala, M., (2005). Modern Research Methods and Techniques, USA: Lippincott
Learning.
Mandan S., ( 2005). Branding and Marketing: Modern Salons, USA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Munhall, L., (2007). Nursing Research: a Qualitative Perspective, USA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Nurse and Patient Power Relationship
Nurse–Patient Power Relationship
Name
Institution
Date
The healthcare sector has experienced several challenges in its bid to provide quality services with particular emphasis ion nurses. In this article, the author emphasizes the concept of interpersonal relationships that exist between the patient (health client) and the care giver in regard to the excesses of care: a matter of understanding the asymmetry of power. The author asserts that there has been a significant incongruence on how the nurses practice ethical standards while delivering services to the patients due to misunderstanding and misuse of power vested in them. The issue of closeness and distance features prominently in the article and the absolute power of nurses to dictate the management of patients reign. In essence, the author brings in the issue of communication skills and interpersonal relationships that exist between nurses and patients. According to Delmar (2012), there are circumstances in which the nurses stick to professionalism by focusing much on prescription of medicine and supervision of recovery with less regard to the social aspect of the patient’s condition.
A research study undertaken by the author of this article involved a sample population from nurses and patients and their ideas and past experiences on this debate was asked (Delmar, 2012). The response is commendable in terms of the near accuracy of the data and consistency with daily experiences in a healthcare facility setting under the care of nurses. The study stresses the ethical demand on nurses to create a friendly and closer relationship with the patients so that the social factors contributing to their state of health may be taken into consideration by the caregivers. Limited rights of patients to express their discontent and confide to the nurses indicate a sense of burden on the side of the patients. This is explored by the author of this article as retrogressive to the recovery path of the patients. Delmar (2012) asserts that skewed power favors nurses which make them control the entire life of the patient with total disregard to emotional needs and social inadequacies.
Critical assessment of this article gives an insight into the significance of a healthy relationship between patients and nurses in the healthcare sector. In respect of the article under question, it can be seen that the powers given to the nurses should be used in the interest of the patients. The cardinal role of nurses is to promote quick recovery of the patients. However, this cannot be achieved by supervising their adherence to prescription schedule. Some level of informal relationship is required for the patient to have a room in expressing personal life that may help the nurse in managing them. Provided this interpersonal relationship is regulated by the spirit of professionalism; it creates a healthy room for faster recovery progress. The nurses need to learn on how to communicate effectively taking into consideration the social factors influencing the health status of the patient (Delmar, 2012). If distance and closeness can be balanced, the patients are able to feel free and confide on the nurses regarding their private life which may be related to their conditions. This would help in offering emotional therapy besides medical prescription and facilitate the rate of recovery progress. It is imperative that the nurses go beyond the limits of necessary roles and navigate the social factors connected to each patient like age, sex, background among others in an effort to boost the quality of care offered to them. This article is essential for better nursing practices in reference to use of the power given to nurse as they assist patients with their recovery.
Reference
Delmar, C. (2012). The Excesses of Care: A Matter of Understanding the Asymmetry of Power. Nursing Philosophy, Vol. 13. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, pp. 236–243.
History of Ford Motor Company
History of Ford Motor Company
Introduction
Ford motor company was established in 1903 and has run its operations in an effective manner since then. Its products are wide and varied, and besides manufacturing, it offers credit services, sells vehicle accessories and conducts heavy repairs. Its standardization policy has enabled it to gain acceptance within the social, economic and legal sphere. In the recent past, the company is facing unprecedented competition from both the home and foreign motor manufacturing companies. As such, it has been compelled to make inventions in order to maintain and possibly expand its market share. It has also had to change various policies to survive in the market. Being in the economic sector, it has also suffered immense effects of market forces. Its main weakness pertains to reluctance of the employees to assume technological changes. However, the company has economies of scale that can enable it to enhance output. Its social and financial placement is also desirable.
At its inception, the company was looking forward to great business. Just like other traditional companies that have withstood the test of time, Ford’s beginnings can be considered to have been modest. With respect to capital, the eleven business associates had a significant $28,000 with which they decided to register the company as a corporation (Sam 65). Its business operations were consistent and improved through time, enabling it to have a total of 350,000 stock holders by 1956. Currently, the company operates on a global scale with more than 100 plants worldwide (Ford Motor Company). The company concerns itself with developing, servicing, designing and manufacturing trucks and cars on a global scale. Further, it also provides car rental services on a daily basis. Its affiliated and core automotive brand are Land Rover, Aston Martin, Mercury, Volvo, Lincoln, Mazda, Jaguar and Ford (Ford Motor Company).
The company offers wide ranging products as well as after sales services and vehicle parts. It offers its clients services related to heavy repair, collision, extended warranty, light maintenance repair, and vehicle accessories. It also has a financial sector under the name Ford Credit Services. This also provides varied services that arrange form retail financing, real estate refinancing, loans to dealers in automotive products financing, and wholesale financing. Also, it leases and finances various receivables related to loans and affiliates, purchases purchase-related receivables, and finances related insurance services (Ford Motor Company). The company also buys raw materials that are employed in production across the globe. The materials consist of non ferrous as well as ferrous casting iron. It has its personal license with respect to use of trademarks, patents and copyrights. Currently, company headquarters are located in Dearborn, Michigan (Ford Motor Company). A look into the history of the Ford Motor Company presents various events that resulted into market twists to shape the company in various ways.
Events in the History of Ford Motor Company
Initially, Ford Motor Company produced different models of vehicles that ranged from Ford Model A to model S as well as model K. Progressively, other models such as Model T were introduced and by 1913. Florry indicates that “the company later started producing the vehicles in mass” (34). The employment of Model T in the First World War enhanced the popularity of Ford and subsequently led to a rise in sales. However, during the 1940s, Clymer indicates that “the company faced stiff competition from other manufactures such as the General Motors who produced vehicles with diverse features” (45). This prompted it to make more innovations in order to be at par with its competitors. In addition, the new companies explored other markets and made it difficult for Ford to expand its operations. The great depression forced the company to reduce its production and as such, the sales also reduced significantly. The workers were laid off and in the 1930s; the company was forced to address critical matters associated with unionism. The Second World War also provided a viable environment to increase the sales especially considering the fact that it was very popular. Since then, the company continues to make various innovations (Ford Motor Company).
The June of 1903 marked the onset of the current Ford Motor Company. In this month, Henry Ford, organized and met eleven other individuals to start the company. After signing the Articles of incorporation in Michigan, the company was as good as started. Five years later, the company had managed to build its first car, the Ford model T, it is worth noting that this model was among the most fashionable and liked models at its time (Brooke 49). The car lasted 19 years in production and sold a total of 15,458,781 cars to close production in the year 1927 (Brooke 95). Also, the company remarkably hit the wage market with an increment of over $2 for every eight hours to land at $5 a day, as opposed to a previous $2.34 (Weiss 5). This made the company attract job seekers five times the number of job vacancies available at the company.
The growth of the company was rapid and constant with the assumption of an ever increasing capacity and sales. Due to this trend, the company moved on to increase production points both within and out of the country. In 1909, the company initiated the establishment of a branch in England (Geyer 8). This was followed by the Manchester plant which was opened in the year 1911. Further the company moved into Argentina in the year 1913, establishing the Ford Motor Argentina (Wilkins and Frank 244). By December 1915, the company managed to hit a million cars on sale since its inception which had only been seven years then (Brooke 11). It proceeded to open in other locations like France, 1916 (Geyer 8), and Australia, 1926.
The year 1919 marked a major change in the management of the company, during this year, Henry Ford relinquished the President and CEO positions of the company to his son Edsel Ford (Wilkins and Frank 115). A year later, the company was faced with reduced sales and had to shut down temporarily to reorganize its strategies. It reopened the same year with a streamlined budget and improved cost management. Before the end of this year, the company managed to hit a manufacturing capacity of more than a million cars every year (Wilkins and Frank 116). It proceeded to acquire the Lincoln Company in the year 1922 as an expansion strategy (Shurtleff and Akiko 264). It also expanded to Japan in 1925. Due to the ever expanding nature and the presence of unlimited resources, Ford Motor Company decided to venture into airplane production in the year 1925. Its first airplane model was the tri-motor plane. However, the venture in planes did not last long. It ended in 1933 after the company had produced a total of only 199 aircrafts (Brooke 141). 1927 saw the closure of the production of the Model T. By the year 1931, Ford had come to total sales of twenty million cars since its establishment in the beginning of the century (Oldman, Samer and Mark 123).
The gap between 1938 and 1959 was marked with a lot of activity in the history of the Ford Motor Company. It is during this period that the company’s capacity increased and its efficiency improved tremendously managing production of a car in every three minutes by January 1938. It launched the Jeeps brand for military options in the year 1941 (Wilkins and Frank 116). However, the company had to terminate production of cars to build tankers, planes and other war materials to aid in the World War II (WW2) in 1942 (Ford Motor Company). With the end of the war in 1948, production resumed, and Ford was able to attain great achievements yet again (Ford Motor Company). A V8 model of the famous Thunderbird was launched in 1954. This increased the general sales of the company, and in the subsequent years, Ford realized improved annual sales with more than 1.6 million vehicles in 1957(Ford Motor Company). Two years later, the company was at fifty million sales since its inception. Because of increased handling of company finances, the Ford Motor Credit Company was formed in 1959 with the main aim of facilitating the company’s automotive financing needs (Ford Motor Company).
1960 to 1978 was yet another remarked period during which various developments in the buildup of Ford Motor Company history occurred. Henry Ford II assumed the chair of the company’s position besides being the president after an election in July 1960 (Wilkins and Frank 442). This was done after Ernest Breech, the then chairman resigned. Ford models introduced into the market in this year included the Upscale Compact car, Econoline series, Galaxie, and Falcon (Wilkins and Frank 410). Later in the year, Henry Ford II resigned and was appointed Secretary of Defense. The V8 engines produced by Ford numbered thirty million by 1962 (Olson 104). By January the following year, history of cars produced by Ford reached sixty Million and Arjay Miller assumed the company President’s position (Ford Motor Company). In the year 1964, the company produced yet other new models and marked various achievements. The GT40 model and the Ford Mustang were both launched into the market in this year (Ford Motor Company). By 1966, the Mustang had realized sales of over one million within two years of its launching. The Ford Motor Company introduced a second version of the Ford Mustang named Ford Mustang 2 in 1973 (Olson 114). The Ford Motor Company marked its 75th anniversary in the year 1978 having sold one hundred and fifty million cars (Ford Motor Company).
Several major events occurring between 1980 and 2000 also influenced the position of Ford. The management changed hands again in 1980, with Peterson Donald taking the position of the company’s president and CEO and replacing Caldwell. Caldwell further retired from the chairman’s position in 1985 (Ford Motor Company). Later in the year, two more new products were launched by the company; the Taurus and the styling that was referred to as Aero design. The achievements between 1987 and 1990 were numerous and remarkable. For the first time in history after 1926, the profits earned by Ford surpassed those of the arch rival; General Motors. Other remarkable events during this year included the acquisition of Aston Martin Lagonda, Hertz Rent-a-Car and the death of Henry Ford II (Ford Motor Company). In 1990, the company acquired Jaguar at a cost of two billion, five hundred million dollars (Ford Motor Company). The company also unveiled the new model of Mazda MX-5 Miata. The largest loss ever made by the company was to come in 1991, which saw the company lose $2.3 (Geyer 93). However, this was followed by success in a joint venture with Volkswagen in 1992, and success in the sales of the F-Series as the United States best seller car brand for the tenth year (Geyer 32). Ford then moved on to initiate operations in China in 1993, and India in 1994 (Geyer 14). By the year 1999, the company had increased its global contacts and extended into the Middle East and even African markets. Ford Motor Company then established “The Premier Auto Group” an umbrella brand for producing and marketing Volvo, Jaguar, Lincoln, and Aston Martin brands (Geyer 99).
The turn of the century saw more events turn in on the history of the company. In 2001, William Clay Ford, Jr. became the next president of the company Geyer 3, 82). In this year, the company sold over 7000 million cars and started constructing the Model T-100. By June 2003, the company had released another model, the Ford GT, and had its 100 years since its inception (Ford Motor Company). The company also produced Ford Focus in this year. The following year, Ford released a gas electric hybrid car called Ford Escape Hybrid. During this year, the company also sold out its Jaguar Racing model to another company – Red Bull GmbH (Ford Motor Company). This was followed by the subsequent selling off of the Jaguar brand as well as the Land Rover Models of the ford company to the Tata Motors (Hitt, Duane and Robert 296). In the year 2010, Ford went ahead to sell its brands of the Volvo Cars to the company called Geely Automobile, but further went ahead to launch and unveil the third generation of the Ford Focus models (Ford Motor Company). In the year 2011, Ford Motor Company discontinued the production of various cars and launched one more brand. Among those discontinued were Lincoln Town Car, Ford Ranger and the Ford Crown Victoria (Ford Motor Company). Their new car was Ford Focus Electric. In 2012, another new model; Fourth generation of the Transit/Tourneo was created with the company planning to reduce jobs by 30, 000, and eliminate some of its plants (Ford Motor Company).
It is certain that Ford Motor Company is stable and has undergone various transformations through time. It ventures in diverse products and services that generate significant revenue. The company employs sponsorship, supply chain management, promotions, strategic locations, sustainable and green production and the internet to reach its clients. Since its establishment, several changes have occurred to its operations, structure and management. These changes have acted to initiate various transformations to counter positive or negative fluctuations in the market and ultimately land the company at its present position.
Works Cited
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Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950.
Florry, Kelly. American Cars. Jafferson NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004.
Geyer, G. (2011). Ford Motor Company: The greatest corporate turnaround in U.S. history. S.l.: Gerhard Geyer.
Hitt, Michael A, Duane I., and Robert E. Hoskisson. Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization : Cases. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
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Olson, Randall. Ford in Miniature. Dorchester: Veloce, 2006. Print.
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Shurtleff, William, and Akiko Aoyagi. Henry Ford and His Researchers: History of Their Work with Soybeans, Soyfoods and Chemurgy (1928-2011) : Extensively Annotated Bibliography and Sourcebook. Lafayette, CA: Soyinfo Center, 2011. Print.
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