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Overview and Key Findings of the 2018 Report
Overview and Key Findings of the 2018 Report
This is an article on digital news report developed in 2018 that was carried out after a green shoot that happened in 2017 bringing hope to the news industry. These changes happen as a change to many media companies that shifted to their approach model to the development of higher quality content as the emphasis was made of the reader payment. The use of social media for news according to the article is being reversed with these medial shifting to subscriptions. With trust, quality and reliability of the information being incorporated to respond to the political and consumer needs. The article developed a summary of the most important findings reviewing the social media reverse and use of charts to display the proportion of usages across various countries.
The article report strikes as applied research. As it does not seek to expand knowledge on existing literature but rather developed to solve a particular problem which in this case is the emerging of green shoots that lead to social media reverse as more countries adopted the subscription method for higher quality content that is focused at the reader payment.
The research is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research approach as the report seeks to address the observed regression in the use of social media for news content with consumers opting for subscription channels. The study looks into why and how they can improve towards the new hope through a shift of models in the media companies. Through the use of qualitative research approach in-depth understanding of the issue of shifting models is understood clearly. The research incorporated the use of quantitative research methods whereby through collecting data and analyzing it through mathematical methods to explain a certain phenomenon whereby in this case the user of data to evaluate the number of people that used social media platforms for news across various countries and select markets.
The results are believable as they are based on actual respondents. The respondents approached from 40 countries in this survey were identified as crucial in determining the representativeness of research and findings. The accuracy and level of consistency of the results read in the article qualify it to be reliable hence believable. The presentation of the findings shows a level of professionalism involved thus making the results believable.
The study in the articles was developed using a hypothesis statement. The statement of the hypothesis highlighted a new hope for the media industry that was seen through an emerged green shoot. The study focused on the shift of model for the media houses and how they reversed from social media towards developing higher quality content and reader payment emphasis.
With a presumed relationship in the hypothesis, the cause developed to become an independent variable as the effect is the dependent variable. The study report developed the green shoot as the cause of this study to be the independent variable with a change of models for the media companies becoming the dependent variable.
The study used a model to makes sense and connect the variables in a way that it can be generalized to solve other similar problems. The study underlies and refers to the era of digital disruption that developed issues with the confidence and reliability of news in social media. That has seen the highlight of inaccurate news termed as fake news with other governments using this as a platform to decline social and media freedom.
Works Cited
Newman, Nic, et al. “Overview and Key Findings of the 2018 Report.” Digital News Report, 30 May 2018, http://www.digitalnewsreport.org/survey/2018/overview-key-findings-2018/.
Overtraining and Athlete’s Susceptibility to Infection
Overtraining and Athlete’s Susceptibility to Infection
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Overtraining and Athlete’s Susceptibility to Infection
Recent studies and other evidence posit that while moderate exercise is helpful to the immune system, the demanding training programs for top athletes tend to suppress the immune system hence boosting their susceptibility to infections. Overtraining is one of the factors that increase athlete susceptibility to infection. Overtraining is a process involving excessive exercise training among high-performance athletes that causes the overtraining syndrome. The overtraining syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue, poor performance in competition, inability to maintain training loads, frequent illness, catecholamine excretion, alterations in mood state and disturbed sleep. While clinically, high-performance athletes are not clinically immune, evidence exists pointing that numerous immune parameters get suppressed when prolonged intense exercise takes place. This essay discusses overtraining as a factor that boosts an athlete’s susceptibility to infection. The text also mentions what we can do to aid athlete recovery and prevention.
Overtraining in athletes negatively influences the immune system and places them at risk of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs). Sinusitis, the common cold, and tonsillitis are some of the most common URTIs. At some point in their lives, everyone suffers from colds. However, recent studies show that physical activity increases their risk of respiratory infections like colds. Overtraining will place their immune function at risk. Compared to an inactive lifestyle, moderate regular exercise reduces the susceptibility to illnesses. However, long periods of intensified and hard bouts of exercise tend to place athletes at risk of flu and colds.
Most upper respiratory tract infections are a result of an infection from a virus. Research shows that the average adult suffers two to four URTIs every year and young children have twice as much (Guimarães, Terra, & Dutra, 2017). Human beings are constantly exposed to viruses which cause infections, but some individuals are more exposed to catching infections than other people. Every day, the immune system shield individuals from an army of pathogenic microbes which attack the body. The individual’s genetic make-up and other external factors such as lack of sleep, stress, poor nutrition, the normal ageing process, overtraining and lack of exercise influence the immune function. These factors tend to suppress the immune system making athletes vulnerable to infection. Researchers found a link between excessive amounts of exercise and a heightened risk of URTIs. They also found a link between moderate exercise and reduced URTIs. A study conducted on more than 500 adults found that 1-2 hours of daily moderate exercise was linked with a third of reduced risk of contracting a URTI when compared to people that have an inactive lifestyle (Meeusen, & De Pauw, 2021). Additional research shows that individuals who work out two or more days a week record half as many off days from work or school as those who do not exercise. Numerous top athletes have suffered from infections that are unusual which are linked with immune abnormalities and immune deficiency. Research from various studies from exercise laboratories indicates that temporary immune depression follows after a single exhausting exercise session which is indicated by changes in the functional capacities and numbers of lymphocytes. The changes can last several hours and are visible in untrained individuals and athletes.
It is important to support athletes in their training to ensure their body remains fit for competitions. One of the tips that can aid overtraining prevention includes avoiding monogamous training activities. Integrating appropriate rest periods can also go a long way in preventing respiratory infections. Additionally, athletes should be advised not to increase training, including doubling workout intensities and time. Gradual increases are better as they give the boy a chance to train properly, adjust, and recover. Moving forward, athletes should avoid overtraining as its negative effects are hazardous.
References
Guimarães, T. T., Terra, R., & Dutra, P. M. L. (2017). Chronic effects of exhausting exercise and overtraining on the immune response: Th1 and Th2 profile. Motricidade, 13(3), 69-78.
Meeusen, R., & De Pauw, K. (2021). Overtraining–what do we know? In Recovery and Well-being in Sport and Exercise (pp. 51-62). Routledge.
Overseas Market Analysis Thomas Foods International
Overseas Market Analysis: Thomas Foods International
2.0 International Marketing Mix Strategy
Thomas Food International is an Australian-based firm that has operations in several international markets from all over the world. It operates within the consumer staples sector, in the consumer staple products industry and the food sub-industry. The following detailed analysis looks at marketing mix (product, price, place, and promotion) and explains the marketing strategies that the company employs. The analysis will also provide a recommendation regarding market feasibility for the company.
2.1 Product
Thomas Foods International has a wide array of products ranging from variant meat varieties to different types of seafood. The company currently retails different meat products that are value-added. These products include minced and diced meat product, rissoles, meatballs, and sausages. The company also tailors different products to the needs of its markets and consumers. Other products that are available for sale in different markets include boneless beef, grass-fed beef, veal, lamb, goats, and mutton, as well as other products (Thomas Foods International, 2021). The company has also diversified its product range to include special soaps, cosmetics, and medical capsules related to different consumer needs. Over the recent years, the food industry has been hit by a variety of health-related issues concerning the use of processes and products that do not contribute to sustainable food production processes. The use of genetically modified products, for example, has led to a raging debate on whether these products are safe for human consumption. In response, Thomas Foods International has created a new line of grain-fed beef, free of GMO and similar products, to substitute the expensive grass-fed product line and to provide an alternative to its core products. As one of the largest meat producers in the world, Thomas Foods International has products tailored for different markets to ensure that it caters for the needs of all of its customers.
2.2 Place (Market Entry & Distribution)
For Thomas Foods International, place in its marketing mix refers to where the organization’s products are offered and how they are availed to consumers. Thomas Foods International has, over the years, developed a significantly wide distribution network (Thomas Foods International, 2021), with an intensive distribution strategy as well. Therefore, the company has built a strong reputation and brand as an organization with the ability to deliver high quality seafood and eat products as well as other types of fresh produce to more than 85 countries globally. The main distribution centres are set up in Australia, in the USA, Europe, China, and in Japan. In the Netherlands, Thomas Foods International partners with Luiten Food to provide a range of products to the European market. The same strategy is applied in the US and in Japan. The idea for the company is to have products available in almost every major market in the world. By partnering with other leading brands from different markets, Thomas Foods International is able to avail products to different markets as well as using partnerships as a market entry strategy into international locations. In other markets such as in Japan, Shanghai, and the US, Thomas Foods International uses a direct entry method, supplying its own products through retail and wholesale options.
2.3 Promotion
Promotion is defined by Tong, Luo, & Xu (2020) as the methodology used by a company to communicate to the consumers and other stakeholders. Thomas Foods International uses a variety of approaches to communicate to customers in different markets. Additionally, different media types are used for advertising needs and campaigns. The Internet, social media, digital marketing, television, and newspapers are all used by the company to target different customers in different markets. For example, the company uses print media to offer special incentives to retailers and distributors. Thomas Foods International also sponsors various events, projects, and organizations, both for promotional purposes and for corporate social responsibility.
2.4 Price
Business marketers have a number of pricing policies and strategies available (Draganska & Jain, 2006). For example, companies can employ discrimination pricing, loss leader pricing, competitor pricing, value pricing, and cost-plus pricing (Johansson et al., 2012). Depending on the market, market size, and market conditions, Thomas Foods International applies different pricing strategies. For example, it prices some products competitively in its Australian and American markets to compete more effectively. This is a competitor pricing approach that also works well for its seafood market in Japan. The company also applies value pricing to ensure that the products are within the reach of every average customer. Additionally, the company is careful not to reduce prices to a point of giving an impression of low quality goods. Additionally, discriminatory pricing is applied in various markets for some special category products such as seafood and tailor-made products. Prices are also different from one country to the other and amongst cities depending on market conditions. I areas where competition is high, such as in Australia and in the USA, the prices are set up in a competitive pricing, to not only penetrate the market but also to ensure that the target market is able to afford different products.
2.5 Recommendation of Market Feasibility
Thomas Foods International has the ability to occupy more markets and to penetrate using various strategies. In the place factor, the strategy that Thomas Foods International currently uses is effective. However, it is recommended that the company uses a dual strategy involving partnerships with domestic brands and acquiring new ones to take on their already established markets. In terms of products, the company should focus on including more varieties to remain competitive. Currently, the product offering opens the company up for competition and does not assure it of market dominance. In promotion, the current strategies have been effective in reaching consumers and to communicate with major stakeholders. However, a majority of firms are moving towards more reliance on social media marketing, an area that Thomas Foods International should exploit fully to gain more footing in the newer European, Japanese, and Chinese markets. In terms of pricing, the approach used is effective. It is recommended that the three pricing strategies (discriminatory, competitive, and value pricing) be used in all future markets depending on relevance to the market and product.
ReferencesDraganska, M., & Jain, D. C. (2006). Consumer preferences and product-line pricing
strategies: An empirical analysis. Marketing science, 25(2), 164-174.
Johansson, M., Hallberg, N., Hinterhuber, A., Zbaracki, M., & Liozu, S. (2012). Pricing
strategies and pricing capabilities. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, 11(1), 4-11.
Thomas Foods International. (2021). Available at http://thomasfoods.com/Tong, S., Luo, X., & Xu, B. (2020). Personalized mobile marketing strategies. Journal
of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(1), 64-78.