Police Authority and Accountability in Australia

Presentation Police officials in Australia, just as around the world, have been reliably blamed for mishandling their position throughout the years. Cops are known to secure and serve and to be the law masters of the land, however because of the truth that some people are worried about smugness and disorder, police authority can intermittently be confused as injurious and aggressive.The forces of the police are reliably being examined by the media, the network and even lawmakers, also that police are, and in Australia as well as around the world, considered as one of the most responsible in the public eye (Robertson, 1998). So as to basically resolve these issues, the focal point of the examination ought to be identified with cops and explicit issues, for example, utilization of power, police circumspection, assignment of power and the endeavors that were made to control officials behaviours’ in Australia.WHAT IS POLICE AUTHORITY? Initially, authority can be characterized as f or the most part and fundamentally, Persons having force or powers that others won't normally be permitted to have. Carrying this definition toward connecting it to police authority, this is the place the cop has lawful intensity of authorizing laws, and consistently ought to be given the regard, since they are the guardians of society, our â€Å"guardian angels† who will look out for us twenty four seven.For model, we are to regard our folks; they care for us and accommodate us our essential needs, I accept that cops are to some degree the equivalent since they give us the residents security and when there is a difficult we can rush to them at ordinarily. In spite of the fact that police authority possibly something to be thankful for, there are additionally the pit falls with it, in that, there is the maltreatment of police authority.Some officials due to â€Å"bad apples† meaning a few officials are messy cops, on account of insatiability and childishness, likewise a few officials accept that they are exempt from the rules that everyone else follows, in light of the fact that they implement the law, yet I have faith in the â€Å"eye for an eye† hypothesis: on the off chance that you do the wrongdoing, you ought to do the time; nobody is exempt from the rules that everyone else follows. WHAT IS POLICE ACCOUNTABLILITY? Right off the bat responsibility is It is a central guideline of a popularity based society that the police ought to be considered answerable for their activities. Responsibility incorporates both what the police do and how they perform.What an official does or how they do what they do is incredibly basic in the realm of policing. The whole idea of police responsibility rotates around these two rules, which as indicated by how effective they are executed, may represent the deciding moment an officer’s policing profession. Organization level responsibility includes the exhibition of law authorization offices regarding controlling wrongdoing and clutter and offering types of assistance to people in general (National Institute of Justice, 1999). Singular level responsibility includes the lead of cops concerning legal, conscious, and equivalent treatment of residents. walker, 2007). I sincerely accepts that police responsibility ought to be exceptionally imperative inside policing. Officials ought to be considered responsible for their activities like some other person. POLICE AUTHORITY IN AUSTRALIA In Australia the position and powers of the police administrations are unmistakably characterized and comprehended by officials, these forces are being tried by the courts and even the police themselves, the police know the restriction of their power and powers, yet at times government officials, legitimate callings and even the network are hesitant to significantly adjust those powers.Hence the motivation behind why officials may need to utilize power, law requirement officials are approved to utilize power in explicit conditions, officials in Australia are prepared as some other cop around the world, however the matter of the issue is how much power to utilize, this is alluded to as police circumspection. Authority and misuse should be separated, in light of the fact that they are not in any way expected to be equivalent to something very similar. By and large, the manner by which the police may keep up social request effectively is for the most part in arrangement with the utilization of power practiced by the police officers.Many individuals, residents of Australia and even the world, here the term utilization of power being utilized reliably, regardless of whether it might be by means of the media or straightforwardly from a cop, yet what does the term truly mean? Utilization of power is essentially and fundamentally the measure of power that is expected of a cop to guarantee that a reluctant wrongdoer agrees to the law authority (National Institue of Justice, 2012). Where it is pointless to utilize beast power, a cop should shun so doing. An official can utilize power in ifferent ways, either verbally or genuinely; likewise it might be less deadly or deadly (National Institue of Justice, 2012). Indeed, even as it remains that the cop in Australia has the option to utilize power where important, how at that point do we decide when he should utilize which strategy for power, and how to manage a wrongdoer all in all? Police carefulness is utilized frequently with regards to a greater amount of the minor offenses, for example, liquor use and pee, yet one significant experience in Australia in which police prudence should be utilized is corresponding to individuals experiencing mental illness.Police circumspection however, can be affected by either close to home connections, or race or status, which should not to be along these lines, yet sensibly is it. There was one situation in which a cop experienced a bistro owner who had a petty criminal offense. The official in this situation, chose not to give the driver a traffic offense notice because of the relationship that had created from before.Although numerous different officials concurred with the officer’s choice to practice appreciation toward the violator, this is certifiably not an inviting and promising possibility for the eventual fate of law requirement all in all. Police caution can be changed and influenced by numerous different variables encompassing a guilty party in the public eye. A reluctant and wild suspect has a higher danger of being captured than one who helps out the official. Additionally, the police records of a guilty party may likewise impact the choice of the police.Even with connection to adolescent, police caution can be modified however not by the adolescent themselves. The guardians or Guardians of the adolescent may say something vigorously on the choice and attentiveness of the cop. For the situation where the parent or watchman might be uninvolve d or uncooperative, the officials might be directed to adopt an alternate strategy to the treatment of this circumstance (Holmgren, 2012). POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IN AUSTRALIA The substance of the issue remains, and one which bodes well, is that whatever a cop does, he/she have to represent it.Police in Australia, in any case, have been given a feeling of caution and opportunity to satisfy their jobs in the public eye without a lot of intercessions of any legal or incomparable authority (Lewis, 2012). Police are not to be viewed as autonomous and absolutely ready to do as they will by citizenry, which isn't at all the case. Police as a rule need to counsel the legal authorities in the commission of enquiry relating to responsibility for their activities or claims, yet what incited this move by the Government?Police in Australia before; have been charged for a wide range of things, for example, police defilement, wastefulness and fierceness. These falls of the cops are not ignored by t he legal executive, and despite the fact that police are the defenders of society, they are truly at risk to discipline and authorizes for their wrong in the event that it isn't appropriately represented (Lewis, 2012). Police responsibility has over years become seen as to a greater extent a tricky issue than that of an empowering one.One of the major progressing aggravations in Australia’s society is where common suit is continually disregarded as a structure as responsibility (Ransley, 2007)what precisely is considerate case? All things considered, common prosecution is the place somebody is blamed for fouling up, yet not really a wrongdoing, and it is officially submitted to a court (Honeyman, 1999-2010) truth be told and apparent to the present reality, there have been numerous cases in Australia, in which people have been engaged with questions with cops for fouling up truly, however not crimes.The reality that the reason for common case is to settle and achieve some typ e of remuneration for being improperly charged or managed, makes common suit a basic angle that should more than likely be joined in the field of Police responsibility for the most part since it is a type of adjustment, simply that it is from the regular citizen point of view (Ransley, 2007).If indeed, the expectation of the later police change is coordinated toward the fortifying and somewhat redesigning of the individual and hierarchical responsibility, at that point that makes common case a central, viable and furthermore it ought to be, a compulsory segment in the compelling finishing of this objective. Endeavors to control the conduct of cops are influenced by common case, yet in addition by the measures in which cops are managed for misconduct.Without the accentuation on the blunders of cops, the police power may adjust to the conditions which could prompt the maltreatment of their forces and authority. The absence of steady rectification of officials regularly may prompt the lessening of trust in the network in the police administration (Perez, 2008). Universally, this have become the apparent situation in the current society, as the trust and organization between Police officials and networks is quickly turning into a relic of days gone by, and this have been ighly affected by the absence of genuine obligation and techniques by police authorities. Officials have showdowns of a sort among their own associations in light of the revisions that they may confront having the issue to contend that to adjust the mercy of offense and the cruelty of cr

Policy Problem in Public Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Arrangement Problem in Public Policy - Essay Example The genuine character of an arrangement issue might be uncovered in approach assessment †in this way the two are correlative to each other’s presence. In this unique circumstance, we will additionally talk about the idea of a strategy issue with a model. To the extent the pay arrangement in the US goes, there has been an expanding pattern towards imbalance in ongoing decades. In such manner, there have been huge changes in U.S. charge administers after some time. These progressions have proceeded to have an impressive effect to what is accounted for as salary on singular expense forms. With these assessment changes urging a huge number of organizations to change from documenting under the corporate expense framework to recording under the individual duty framework, different investigations of disparity that are established on government form information perpetually wind up barring move installments, which brings about misrepresenting the portions of salary got by those at the top by disregarding developing measures of pay at the base. This might be characterized as the fundamental approach issue in the US salary strategy. With a reliable fall in the top expense rates on wages or capital additions, there has been an expansion in the announced salaries, where a bigger level of the livelihoods of those at the top will in general element in the assessment forms.

Stock Market Cycles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Securities exchange Cycles - Essay Example Despite the fact that the political world influences the securities exchange in the transient the market recoups rapidly. What drives the financial exchange the most are loan costs, swelling, and corporate benefits. Loan fees are set by the Federal Reserve. Government approach is set through the raising or bringing down of financing costs. Loan fees help direct the interest for merchandise and ventures. This thus influences corporate benefits and expansion. Loan costs set by business and industry are set by what individuals accept the Federal Reserve will set long haul financing costs at. This estimating of loan costs is driven by what the Federal Reserve is anticipated to do later on. High financing costs change acquiring costs. This has the impact of changing the accessibility of bank credits and family unit riches. Finally, loan fees influence remote trade rates (Federal Reserve San Francisco). Corporate benefits drive the securities exchange either up or down contingent on whether organizations have an increase or a misfortune. Huge corporate benefits give partnerships more to spend or reinvest in the company. The additions are given to financial specialists through increment in estimation of the organization's stocks and bigger profits. Most profits are reinvested into the company in this manner expanding development capability of the enterprise. Corporate misfortunes have the contrary effect. Misfortunes are given to corporate investors as diminished stock worth and lower profit installments. What likewise drives stock costs is corporate revealing. An enterprise that has had a positive development monetary year will in general brief an ascent in the estimation of its stock. In like manner monetary revealing that misses the mark concerning estimates has the impact of bringing down stock worth. Notwithstanding announcing outcomes, a company's rebelliousness with detailing necessities or late revealing has the effect of bringing down its stock worth. Principally, this is on the grounds that rebelliousness is most connected with issues inside the association or reports of an outside examination by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Corporate profit have the stream down effect of the raising or bringing down of buying intensity of its investors and workers. Representatives regularly advantage from possessing organization stock through a corporate investment opportunity program that grants stock to workers as retirement pay. An organization seeing misfortunes gives that loss of significant worth to its representatives by bringing down of the stock cost. This has the effect of bringing down the estimation of the worker's retirement plan. A success win circumstance would be representatives endeavoring to help the enterprise in making benefits in light of the fact that both the organization and the workers profit by higher stock qualities. For whatever length of time that partnerships and people have purchasing power they will practice that power by buying more stocks. That, in influence, gives the enterprise more cash to go through on tasks that bring in cash for the partnership. Consequently securities exchange esteems rise (Bull showcase). The reverse brings down stock qualities and reinvestment and the financial exchange encounters a bear showcase. In conclusion, a war has a fascinating effect on the financial exchange. At first, the declaration of a contention serves to drive the market descending. Be that as it may, when war creation starts and enterprises start to bring in cash as a result of the contention the securities exchange is driven up. Works Cited: Central bank

August and December

The time assigned for instructing and learning is a factor affecting understudies' scholarly presentation. There are three school terms each year with occasions in the middle of in the long periods of April, August and December.Research has indicated that dominant part of schools begin learning after the primary seven day stretch of the school term. This demonstrates there is a great deal of time wastage before learning starts. Besides,most schools free many educating/learning hours toward the start of the term. This wastage prompts less work being secured and prospectus not being finished on time thus adding to terrible showing in KCPE assessments. b. Ampleness of Learning Resources: The sufficiency and utilization of instructing and learning materials influences the viability of an instructor's lesson.Teaching and learning esources upgrades comprehension of conceptual thoughts and improves execution. Satisfactory learning assets like content books,improvised climate instruments,rel evant youngster well disposed library books, divider maps and the activity books are of foremost significance. This makes learning simpler of subjects like Social Studies exceptionally dynamic to the students. Further still,it has been demonstrated that school offices directly affect instructing and learning. Course books empower the students to follow the educator's grouping of introduction and helps in comprehension of exercises. . School Administration :The nature of school organization assumes an imperative job in scholastic execution as it is worried about students, educators, rules, guidelines and arrangements that oversee the educational system. In examining the proficiency of school organization, the accompanying angles should be thought of: Frequency of workforce gatherings Frequency of checking instructors' plans of work and exercise plans Adequacy of educators' earlier planning Frequency of class perception by the head instructor. Hardly any workforce conferences may prom pt less co-appointment of educational plan implementation.This a lead to less checking and revealing of the advancement of the schools exercises to the educators . Recurrence of Checking Teachers' Schemes of work: The obligation of checking the expert records like educators' plans of work and exercise plans lies in the hands of the head instructor. This might be done face to face or he may delegate to the representative head instructor or the senior educator. Readiness and utilization of plans of work by the educators upgrades consecutive instructing and results to improved achievement.Checking of instructors plans of work ought to be done oftentimes to permit the head educator screen educational program usage. Recurrence ot Checking the Teachers' Lessons Plans :Teacners' exercise plan is a protessional record arranged by educators with the end goal of introduction of an exercise. The educator shows whether the exercise has been instructed and goals accomplished; in the event that t he exercise isn't instructed, at that point the instructor demonstrates the motivation behind why and when he means to cover it; if the exercise targets are not accomplished, the educator plans for therapeutic exercise so as to make the idea comprehended by the pupils.Head instructors should screen exercise plan planning much of the time; else it might prompt poor erformance. Sufficiency of Teachers' Prior Preparation: Adequate earlier planning before an instructor goes to class prompts great execution by the understudies. This advances successive introduction of ideas by the educator to the students. Continuously, earlier planning by the instructors prompts orderly conveyance of ideas to understudies and improves execution. Perception of Classes by Head educators: One of the jobs of the head instructor is to complete interior management of educational program execution in his/her school.This includes physical perception of instructors' exercises in progress. One of the head instruc tors' jobs is standard class oversight so as to advance educational plan objectives. Inability to do so may prompt lackluster showing. 2. Instructor Based Factors These are the elements inside the educators that could impede or advance scholastic execution of understudies in their schools. Coming up next are a portion of the parts of educator based components: Teachers' responsibility Teachers' recurrence of non-attendance Teachers' inspiration Teachers' work load.Teachers' Commitment Level: Good execution is because of high duty levels by the instructors. Studies shows that educators who need eagerness can't o instruct viably, making understudies not to learn well. Recurrence of Absenteeism among Teachers: When instructors missing themselves from school every now and again, students go unattended and don't do well in assessments. Truancy by instructors lessens the measure of instructional time and this outcome in the prospectus not being finished. This consequently results to bring down yield of work by the pupils.Teachers' Motivation:A World Bank Report (1986) recognizes that educator fulfillment is commonly identified with accomplishment as fulfilled instructors would think henceforth upgrading scholastic execution of their understudies. Instructor Turn-over Rate:lf the educator turn-over rate is high then it can add to terrible showing in assessments. As per Schneider (2003) high instructor turn over powers schools to commit consideration, time and budgetary assets drawing in substitution of educators. Instructors' Workload: This is the quantity of exercises educators take per week.If instructors are not over-burden their yield in wording execution ought to be acceptable. 3. PUPlLS BASED FACTORS These are the variables inside the understudies that could improve or prevent their scholastic execution. Coming up next are a few viewpoints under student based components: 1. Understudies' language utilize 2. Students' pace of non-attendance 3. Students' delay to class. Students' Language Use: Pupils who collaborate utilizing English language will in general comprehend it better and do well in assessments as all assessments separated from Swahili are written in English language.It is similarly evident that less fatty who likewise communicate well utilizing Swahili language will finish the Swahili test. Therefore,both dialects must be supported in equivalent measure by the teachers,parents and the bigger network. Students' Frequency of Absenteeism: These is simply the part of how visit understudies missing themselves from school. At the point when students missing themselves from school, they will in general lose numerous ideas and certainly may not do well in tests. The impact of non-appearance and unpredictable school participation is that materials instructed are hard to comprehend when concentrated on one's own.Continued loss of classes results to loss of substance and information. Class assignments,exercises,homework and occasion school work would not be appropriately and effectively done prompting terrible showing. 4. Network Based Factors Community based elements are factors inside the network that obstruct or improve understudies' scholastic execution. In investigating the network based variables, the accompanying angles can be investigated: a) Parents' Consultation with Teachers:Good execution is acknowledged when guardians work in conference with the instructors so as to comprehend their kids better.Studies shows that regularly guardians don't counsel educators and that most guardians were less worried about training of the kids. Fake (2004) showed that guardians' association with instructors empowers them to comprehend what their kids are experiencing in school and what should be possible to manage the issues. It would likewise put students on caution and tudy in school as they would realize that their folks would ask about their presentation.

I am dumb

I am dumb Well, its pouring rain outside, and I managed to get myself up at 8:30 as usual for my 9:30 Tuesday/Thursday class, 9.15 (biochemistry and pharmacology of synaptic transmission). But I got outside and the wind was blowing so hard that my new umbrella broke in 30 seconds, and then I was running horribly late because I decided it was too windy to ride my bike, and I got soaked from the knees down in the torrential rain. And then I got to the classroom and discovered that class had been cancelled for the day and I had forgotten to check the schedule. Way to go, Mollie. So instead I came to Athena and worked on my application to UC Berkeleys Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD program. So I guess it wasnt a total waste, even if I am still soaking wet. But applications still make me nervous, and so Im sitting here in the cluster trying to figure out the difference between upper division GPA and junior/senior GPA and if I need to even write either one of these because I have no idea if my department requires this information. A Few Answers to Questions: 1. There were a few comments about messy kitchens. Ahem, my personal opinion (as someone who perhaps is one of the kitchen slobs) is that if you want something clean, youre gonna have to clean it yourself. I occasionally go on frantic cleaning sprees in my suite kitchen (usually when Im stressed out about something) and do everybodys dishes and scour the kitchen from top to bottom. Now, if everybody did that every once in a while, wouldnt the world (and the kitchen) be a better place? Unfortunately, other people dont agree with me (and its easier to clean a suite kitchen shared by 6 people than a floor kitchen shared by many more than that, I do realize). 2. Diana asked how my mom liked 5.60. Actually, she read Redbook and Womens Health Weekly (or something like that, you know the genre) the entire time. I was kind of disappointed, because here I was sitting there all studious with my mom, and shes the one flipping through magazines to look at the pictures 3. Dont get scurvy! Its not a good idea. Ack, late for 21A.100

My Cultural Identity - Free Essay Example

I was born in Royal-Oak, Michigan, but without any hesitation, I state that I am the product of two very different cultures. Both of my parents are one hundred percent Romanians, they moved to the United States twenty-three years ago. For so many times I heard them talking about Romania origins as a country, how Romania was formed, about Romanians and about their culture. One of my dads favorite stories is about Decebalus, how Decebalus was one of the feared-enemy for Romans, how he was fighting in three wars against the Roman Empire until he was defeated by Trajan. My dad also told me that Decebalus name means powerful, brave in Dacian and he chooses to commit suicide to avoid capture. In Romania for all Romanians, Decebalus is considered a national hero he is the proof of the Dacian origins of the Romanians. Last summer I spent the whole month of July in Romania. Romania is a country with lots of traditions and a powerful history. One of my favorite souvenirs from Romania is a small copy of a carved statue of Decebalus. The statue was my gift for my entire family, a gift which will remind us of our origins, about our hero, and about our history. After all these years of living in the United States, my family and I are still very connected with Romanian culture. In our family the Romanian culture can be seen in; food, the way we celebrate some holidays, religion, friends, music and language. Proudly, I can say that for Christmas and Easter our home smells like any other home from Romania. The Christmas and the Easter smell in my home are from the aroma of the Romanian traditional food. The traditional sarmale is one of my favorite dishes which in our family we eat every year at Christmas time. For Easter, our house smells sweet because of the aroma of the sweet Cozonac, a special Romanian bread which my mom makes just for Easter, a homemade sweet bread with raisins and walnuts. From the day I was born until the age of ten, I was really close to my grandparents. My grandparents taught me the Romanian language and they told me lots of stories from Romanian folklore. They played a big role through my childhood and they were my connection to my roots. These are examples which reflect my Romanian cultural identity; these examples show how in my family the Romanian traditions are preserved. In the beginning, I said that I am the product of two different cultures. I say this not because I was born in the United States but because my family and I are every day in touch with American traditions. I have American friends, I celebrate and respect any American traditions and customs. Nowadays, we are now living in a multicultural world where it is normal to try to keep our roots, but also to adapt to the world in which we live day by day. Culture determines our values, our history, how we interact with the world and how we interact with the people around us. Culture includes our nation history, our religion, our traditions, and the things or people which we are proud of. Culture makes us unique even if we live in a multicultural world.

Coles supermarket Essay Online For Free - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2617 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Case study Did you like this example? Analyse the business environment for Coles supermarket chain. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background Coles is a national supermarket chain; liquor, fuel and convenience retailer in Australia. It was acquired in 2007 by Wesfarmers, â€Å"a diversified Australian company with strong, established market positions and recognised brands with the objective of delivering satisfactory returns to shareholders† (Wesfarmers, 2013, p.4).. According to Wesfarmers (2013), Cole’s sole purpose has been to give the Australian people a shop they can trust, to deliver quality, value and service. The main sources of business include the following: Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Coles supermarket Essay Online For Free" essay for you Create order 756 full service supermarkets 810 liquor outlets fewer than three brand and 92 hotels 636 fuel and convenience stores More than 99,000 team members As of 2013, according to Wesfarmers (2013), Coles operating results and drivers were: Revenue of $35.8 billion, up 4.9 per cent EBIT of $1,533 million, up 13.1 per cent Return on capital of 9.5 per cent, up from 8.7 per cent Total food and liquor sales growth of 5.5 per cent and comparative store sales growth of 4.3 per cent Over four years of industry outperformance Continued investment in customer value funded from cost reductions and business efficiencies Continued investment in product quality particularly fresh categories Ongoing transformation of the supply chain Launch of 90 more stores in renewal format and opening of 6 larger format stores and net space growth of 1.6 per cent Good progress on multi-channel initiatives including trials of new Coles Online website Growth in financial services including Coles Insurance and flybuys loyalty program Strong customer response to fuel offers and better range and value in the convenience store network 1.2 Scope and Approach This essay takes a critical look at the company, its current position, the internal capabilities, and its external environment, and considers strategic changes necessary to ensure Coles maintains its traditional offering of long term value creation. In developing this Business Analysis for Coles, the following tools have been used to assess present and future performance of the company: Situational Analysis, PEST Analysis, SWOT Analysis, 5 Forces Analysis Furthermore, this essay gives consideration to the current growth strategies adopted by the company and questions if these practices are the best options going forward, for delivering sustainability of the group’s strategic framework. 2.0 Situational Analysis 2.1 Internal Market Audit According to its 2013 sustainability report, Coles’ business focused on six key areas to improve its sustainability: Training and development of its team Customer trust in the produce range, value and quality Water savings and energy efficiency of the stores Workplace safety Supporting the local communities in which we operate Working with suppliers to further develop strong sustainable relationships. 2.1.1 Present Business Review Wesfarmers’ â€Å"operating model is focused on ensuring each of its Group’s divisions has a very strong management capability and day-to-day operational autonomy, overseen by divisional boards and a well-established Group-wide framework where governance processes are coordinated over a 12-month operating cycle. This approach encourages strong accountability for operating results and assurance in areas such as: Strategic planning, Budgeting and monitoring of performance; Risk management, including internal audit and insurance protection; Group-wide human resource management systems such as executive remuneration and share schemes, talent development and key role succession planning; Centralised statutory accounting, tax, treasury and legal support.† (Wesfarmers 2013, p. 6) Coles’ revenue in 2013 was $35.8billion, an increase of 4.9 per cent from the previous year. Its five year financial history report (See Appendix1) shows a steady growth in revenue generation. â€Å"Coles delivered earnings growth of 13.1 per cent to $1,533 million, building on the 16.3 per cent and 21.2 per cent earnings growth in the 2012 and 2011 financial years respectively† (Wesfarmers 2013, p. 3). Figure 1: Five year Revenue Increase Source: Adopted from Wesfarmers 2013, Annual reports. Coles’ proposed strategies and prospects are to: Embark on second wave of transformation with a focus on quality, service and value. And take advantage of further store renewal opportunities, supply chain transformation and operating efficiencies; as well as investment in category innovation, Coles brand and development, multi-channel integration and a tailored loyalty offer and a culture of continuous improvement. â€Å"In 2013, the Coles turnaroun d strategy produced strong trading results by improving quality, service and value. The business continued to out-perform the industry and successfully completed the final year of a five-year turnaround plan† (Wesfamers, 2013, p.25) 2.1.2 Customer Analysis From its various outlets nationally Coles handles more than 19 million customer transactions a week. Coles claims its customer-focused strategy continues to improve in efficiency and productivity, while investing in lower prices, delivering better quality through its ‘Australian First’ sourcing policy and developing a stronger store base through new store openings and renewing existing stores contributed to it steady revenue growth as the financial indicators have shown. â€Å"The transformation of Coles since its acquisition has progressed with operational efficiencies and continued fund reinvestment in price. As well as a sustained turnaround of the business, providing benefits for consumers, suppliers and employees for the past five years thus, delivering a much stronger platform for future growth† (Wesfarmers 2013, p.25). 2.1.3 Financial Analysis As of the last 2012/2013 financial year, Coles was able to generate earnings before interest and Tax (EBIT) of $1,533m as can be seen in figure 2 below. Figure 2: EBIT Source: Adopted from Wesfarmers 2013 Financial Reports. Tables 1 2 below show the key financial indicators and Coles’ performance over the past few years. Table 1: Key Financial data Coles 2012 2013 Revenue $m 35,780 34,117 Earnings before interest and tax $m 1,533 1,356 Segment assets $m 20,367 19,940 Segment liabilities $m 4,145 3,676 Capital employed $m 16,114 15,572 Return on capital employed % 9.5 8.7 Source: Adopted from Wesfarmers 2013 Financial Reports Table 2: Key Financial Indicators For the year ended 30 June 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Revenue ($m) 28,799 30,002 32,073 34,117 35,780 Earnings before interest and tax ($m) 831 962 1,166 1,356 1,533 Capital employed (R12) ($m) 15,140 14,886 15,018 15,572 16,114 Return on capital employed (%) 5.5 6.5 7.8 8.7 9.5 Capital expenditure ($m) 606 683 840 1,218 1,181 Source: Adopted from Wesfarmers 2013 Financial Reports. As reported in the Wesfarmers 2013 Financial Reports and shown in table1 above it can be observed that, for year 2012/2013, Coles has generated a healthy return on capital employed (ROE) of 9.5%, and improvement from 8.7% for the previous year. An increase in capital expenditure and liabilities has been due to the company’s support for net capital investments across the Group. This is up to an increase of $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion in 2014. â€Å"The group also managed strong credit ratings with Moody’s Investor Service upgrading Wesfarmers’ issuer and senior unsecured long-term debt rating from Baa1 (positive) to A3 (stable) consistent with the Group’s credit rating from Standard and Poor’s of A- (stable)†¦ It settled all outstanding debt in the name of the Coles group and continued to neutralise the dilution that would otherwise have occurred from the Dividend Investment Plan and Employee Share plans†(Wesfarmers 2013, p. 13). Interests, income and expenditure are however not allocated to operating segments at Wesfarmers. This type of activity is managed on a group basis. Revenue and earnings of various divisions are also affected by the effect of high seasonality such as, for the retail divisions like Coles, earnings are typically greater in the December half of the financial year due to the impact of the Christmas holiday shopping period on the retail business. 2.2 External Market Audit Given the nature and scale of Coles’ business, the impact of macro and micro forces on its operations is considered to be relatively large compared to the standard in the industry. The external market has been assessed based on PEST analysis and Competitor analysis. 2.2.1 PEST Analysis To explore how the macro environment has impacted the supermarket chain industry and Coles specifically, a PEST analysis has been used, which consists of Political, Economic, Social and Technology factors as shown below. Figure 3: PEST ANALYSIS – Coles Group Ltd Source: Author. i. Political Factors The supermarket chain industry attracts a great deal of attention from the government, non-governmental organizations and even advocacy groups. Due to the size of the industry and how significant a component of the economy and social welfare of countries it is, it has trigged debates on the future and current state of the industry on a global basis. The industry is mature in many countries and in Australia, it is considered a ‘duopoly’, which is a market situation where â€Å"two companies own all or nearly all of the market for a similar product or service† (Kumar Sharma 1998, p.229). With regards to Coles and the supermarket chain industry in Australia, the political situation as described in the preceding paragraph holds true. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australia is one of the largest importers of grocery products and its a key contributor to the economy of neighbouring countries. Coles is also an equal opportuni ties employer which provides equal employment opportunities nationwide. Coles also sources products responsibly and contribute positively to the communities in which it operates. Other political factors that have an impact can include: Government initiatives and subsidies for local produce and foreign export policies Legislation for local farmers’ protection Market deregulation for foreign groceries to compete ii. Economic Factors The Supermarket chain industry is a high-risk industry, which requires a substantial strategic planning process, customer satisfaction and significant investment. To compete many companies have pursued alliances and joint ventures with shared facilities and outright buy outs to maintain the cost. The global recession of the past years has also had a significant impact on smaller retailers and the supermarket industry as a whole. Other economic factors that have had an impact include: Rise in currency rates Competition from developing countries Competitor rivalry Mergers and Acquisitions of big players Market seasonality and trade cyclesSupplier and customer drivers iii. Social Factors Aging populations and longer life expectancies, changing taste, healthy living styles and specific dietary requirements have increased demand for more organic food, and have been an important factor in the growth of new brands. In the US and UK, greater life expectancy will depend on diet, exercise and a positive attitude to life and increasing knowledge, according to Newell et al (2006). The Australian government’s plays an important role in promoting exercise, healthy living and a positive culture, which in effect can reduce consumption of certain brands and product demographics for Coles. iv. Technological Factors Increased use of the Internet has helped to reduce media costs and also made room for increase innovation in the supermarket chain industry. Coles has capitalised on the internet to continue to develop its online sales platform which has thus managed to attract interest from younger audiences and increased sales significantly. 2.2.2 Competitor Analysis 5 Forces The Five Forces model developed by Michael Porter provides a frame work to identify the competitive nature of an industry. Even though extremely subjective, a broad Five Forces analysis indicates that competitive rivalry within the supermarket chain industry is medium in Australia. Figure 4: Porter’s Five Forces Model Source: Author Based on the research and competitive analysis carried out and relative to Porter’s five analyses as shown in figure4, it can be observed that: As a known fact that, â€Å"Australia’s grocery markets is one of the most concentrated in the world, Woolworths and Wesfarmers (owner of Coles) account for almost 80% of supermarket sales, 60% of alcohol retail, 50% of petrol retail and 40% of all retail in Australia† (Ethical Consumer Group 2014). With their large market share they have and continue to exert considerable influence over suppliers and make the playing field extremely tough for much smaller independ ent retailers such as IGA, Foodland, 7-Eleven, Lucky 7, BP and several other liquor retailers. See figure 5 below. Figure 5: Australian Grocery Market Share Source: Ferrier Hodgson Ferrier’s Focus May 2011 from Wesfarmers and Woolworths annual reports 2010, NARGA November 2010 Report, Master Grocers Australia December 2010 Thus, Coles has only one major competitor – Woolworths; and a few direct competitors such as Aldi and Metcash. These four, Coles inclusive make up the big players in the industry. With each of them having a different and unique operating model, competitor rivalry is therefore high to medium. The market concentration of private label brands from these giants have been blamed for Australia having the fastest rising grocery prices in the developed world. Threat of substitution is therefore also high to medium because there are only four main competitors with similar prices. This is the same reason why customer bargaining power is me dium to low, and threat of market entry to compete with the big four is very low. Other competition therefore can only come from local harvests, independent grocers and small supermarkets and recently Costco. 3.0 SWOT Analysis As a result of the internal and external market audits undertaken, a complementing SWOT analysis for Coles’ group will help to evaluate areas of strength, weaknesses, growth opportunities and threats for the company. Results are shown in figure 5 below: Figure 6: SWOT Analysis for Coles Group Source: Author 4.0 Conclusion In conclusion, there are no real threats or key issues for Coles presently except for the recurrent price wars with its major competitor and concerns about the sustainability of these battles. With continuous market dominance however, leading to Australias powerful supermarket duopoly, this could be termed as inhospitable and leaving consumers to revel in cheaper staples. A key to survival of any business is the need to increase revenue and reduce dependence upon financing via debt bearing instruments. Coles, in respect to these strategic options is already in the process of developing new initiatives by reducing its debts and focusing on quality, service and value. Coles is in the forefront of innovation by taking advantage of further store renewal opportunities, supply chain transformation and a strategic approach to improved operational efficiencies and continued fund reinvestment in price. Reference List Ethical Consumer Group 2014, viewed 08 May 2014, www.ethical.org.au/get-informed/issues/supermarkets-in-australia/ Kumar, R Sharma, R 1998, Managerial Economics, New Delhi: India Atlantic Publishers Distributors Newell, RG, Jaffe, AB Stavins RN 2006, ‘The effects of economic and policy incentives on carbon mitigation technologies’, Energy Economics, vol. 28, p. 563 – 578. Wesfarmers, 2013, Wesfarmers Annual Report 2013. viewed 08 May 2014, https://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/14/144042/wes/WESFARMERS%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%202013.pdf Bibliography Brownlee II, ER, Ferris KR Haskins ME 1990, Corporate Financial Reporting: Text and Cases, Boston: BPI/Irwin, Grant, RM 2010, Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 7th edn, West Sussex, UK.: John Wiley Sons Ltd, Johnson, G, Scholes, K Whittington, R 2009, Fundamentals of Strategy, Essex, England: Pearson Education Kruger, C, Greenblat E Butler, B 2012, ‘Its all shelf interest in a price war’, Sidney Morning Herald, 21 April, viewed 08 May 2014, https://www.smh.com.au/business/its-all-shelf-interest-in-a-price-war-20120420-1xcms.html#ixzz31Bc7Z5gu Mableson, T Stewart, J 2011, Supermarket shootout: Will the independents survive?, Ferriers Focus, p.2. Porter, ME 2004, Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance, New York: Free Press,. 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Stuart Alexander 20 14, viewed 09 May 2014, https://www.stuartalexander.com.au/aust_grocery_market_woolworths_coles_wholesale.php Wickham, PA 2004, Management Consulting Delivering an Effective Project, 2nd edn, Essex, England : Pearson Education Zehner, D Sanders, M 2012, The new reality for grocery suppliers in Australia, Bain Company, viewed 14 May 2014, https://www.bain.com/offices/australia/en_us/publications/new-reality-for-grocery-suppliers-in-australia.aspx Appendix : 5 year financial History All figures in $m unless shown otherwise 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 Summarised Income Statement Sales revenue 59,422 57,685 54,513 51,485 50,641 Other operating revenue 410 395 362 342 341 Operating revenue 59,832 58,080 54,875 51,827 50,982 Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation, finance costs and income tax 4,729 4,544 4,155 3,786 3,803 Depreciation and amortisation (1,071) (995) (923) (917) (856) EBIT 3,658 3,549 3,232 2,869 2,947 Finance costs (432) (505) (526) (654) (951) Income tax expense (965) (918) (784) (650) (474) Operating profit after income tax attributable to members of Wesfarmers Limited 2,261 2,126 1,922 1,565 1,522 Capital And Dividends Ordinary shares on issue (number) 000s as at 30 June 1,157,194 1,157,072 1,157,072 1,157,072 1,157,072 Paid up ordinary capital as at 30 June 23,290 23,286 23,286 23,286 23,286 Fully-franked dividend per ordinary share (declared) (cents) 180 165 150 125 110 Financial Performance Earnings per share (weighted average) (cents) 195.9 184.2 166.7 135.7 158.5 Earnings per share growth 6.4% 10.5% 22.8% (14.4%) (9.0%) Return on average ordinary shareholders equity (R12) 8.9% 8.4% 7.7% 6.4% 7.3% Fixed charges cover (R12) (times) 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.2 Net interest cover cash basis (R12) (times) 12.2 10.8 9.5 6.8 5.0 Financial Position As At 30 June Total assets 43,155 42,312 40,814 39,236 39,062 Total liabilities 17,133 16,685 15,485 14,542 14,814 Net assets 26,022 25,627 25,329 24,694 24,248 Net tangible asset backing per ordinary share $4.69 $4.45 $4.12 $3.61 $3.13 Net debt to equity 20.2% 19.1% 17.1% 16.3% 18.3% Total liabilities/total assets 39.7% 39.4% 37.9% 37.1% 37.9% STOCK MARKET CAPITALISATION AS AT 30 JUNE 45,936 34,846 36,913 33,171 26,337 Source: Adopted from West farmers 2013 Annual Report