Sole Proprietorship and Restaurant

1. 0 Introduction 1. 1 Background of the Study There are lots of beautiful restaurants with expensive food that get big earnings but they're not properly paying taxes. It can also cause the state or other local government to shut down a restaurant completely if taxes aren’t paid. Other restaurants change their sales for good even before the recession has started. Restaurants have become successful but others fail because of some problems like a bad location, poor visibility, no parking or maybe no foot traffic. These can affect the restaurant’s progress. 1. 2 Theoretical FrameworkMission: To serve great food at a reasonable price The restaurant is a single proprietorship; it has only one owner that provides the total needs of the business. It was established on February 13 2013. The restaurant starts at 6am until 12 midnight. The promos of the restaurant start at 10pm. The menus are based on their fixed menu just like fast foods; they're not changing their list every da y. The restaurant has 5 crew members which serve the customers every day. 1. 3 Statement of the Problem 1. 3. 1 General Problem This study tried to investigate the factors that affect the sales of the Dyulyus crepes and steaks.It answers the question â€Å"How do these factors affect the sales of the restaurant? † 1. 3. 2 Specific Problem This study also tried to answer the following questions: †¢ How do the employee's skills affect the sales of the Dyulyus Crepes and Steaks? †¢ Can changes in climate affects the sales of Dyulyus Crepes and Steaks? †¢ How a new build competent restaurant affects the Dyulyus Crepes and Steaks? †¢ Does the weekly menu give a negative effect on the sales of Dyulyus and Steaks? 1. 4 Significance of the Study The ManagementThis study provides the restaurant the factors and a suggested solution for the problems of the Dyulyus Crepes and Steaks. It can help them to improve the rate of their sales and it gives them some ideas on h ow to avoid a decreasing value of sale's rate. The Customer This study gives some knowledge to the customers about the competition and problems that occur on the restaurant. It will provide reasons why some restaurant give some promos and use different strategies on selling their products. The Researcher Working on the research, the researcher gains some knowledge on how to strategize a single proprietorship restaurant.He becomes aware on how hard to manage a single proprietorship restaurant. The Future Researcher This system can help the future researcher for them to have an idea for their upcoming research. It can guide them in constructing a research paper. 1. 5 Scope and Limitation of the Study Scopes This study focuses only on the following topics: †¢ The factors that affects the sales of the restaurant †¢ The effects that this factors brings on the restaurant's sales †¢ The suggested solutions on the following factors that gives a negative effects on the sales o f the restaurant LimitationsDespite of the following scope of the study, there are things that the study didn't include. These limitations are the following: †¢ The ingredients or recipe of the restaurant's menu †¢ The budget and the expense of the restaurant †¢ The solution for spoiled food 1. 6 Definition of Terms The following words are given with meaning for better understandings of this study: †¢ Sole Proprietorship – is a type of business entity that is owned and run by one individual and in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. 2. 0 Review of Related Studies and Literature 2. Foreign and Local Studies Foreign Studies According to the research paper of Syed Saad Andaleeb and Carolyn Conway published at November 3, 2009, the following factors affect the restaurant's sales. Product quality Because the â€Å"product offering† for a full service restaurant is likely to be assessed by evaluating an actual product ( the meal) and by where it is delivered (physical place), we decided to separate the tangibility dimension in SERVQUAL into its two aspects: food quality and the physical design/decor of the restaurant. The former has been discussed earlier along with reliability.From the perspective of physical design, environmental psychologists suggest that individuals react to places with two general, and opposite, forms of behavior: approach or avoidance (Mehrabian and Russell, 1974). It has been suggested that in addition to the physical dimensions of a business attracting or deterring selection, the physical design of a business can also influence the degree of success consumers attain once inside (Darley and Gilbert, 1985). This involves research on the â€Å"services cape† (Bitner, 1992) which is the â€Å"built man-made environment† and how it affects both customers and employees in the service process.Thus, we propose that; the better the physical design and appearance of the restaurant, the greater the level of customer satisfaction. Price The price of the items on the menu can also greatly influence Customers because price has the capability of attracting or Repelling them (Monroe, 1989), especially since price functions as an indicator of quality (Lewis and Shoemaker, 1997). The pricing of restaurant items also varies according to the type of restaurant. If the price is high, customers are likely to expect high quality, or it can induce a sense of being â€Å"ripped off. Likewise, if the price is low, customers may question the ability of the restaurant to deliver product and service quality. Moreover, due to the competitiveness of the restaurant industry, customers are able to establish internal reference prices. When establishing prices for a restaurant, an internal reference price is defined as a price (or price scale) in buyers’ memory that serves as a basis for judging or comparing actual prices (Grewal et al. , 1998). This indicates tha t the price offering for the restaurant needs to be in accord with what the market expects to pay by avoiding negative deviation (i. . when actual price is higher than the expected price). We propose that; the less the accordance of the actual price with expectations (negative deviation), the lower the level of customer satisfaction. Local Studies 2. 2 Foreign and Local Literature Foreign Literature According to the article of buzzle published at January 8 2013, the factor that affects a restaurant's sales is the following: †¢ Demand and Supply †¢ Marginal and Total Utility †¢ Money and Banking †¢ Economic Growth and Development †¢ Income and Employment †¢ General Price Level †¢ Trade Cycles †¢ Inflation †¢ Recession †¢ Exchange Rate Rate of Interest †¢ Government Regulations Local Literature 3. 0 Research Methodology 3. 1 Researched Design The researches are base from the interview with the owner, observation and analysis of th e researcher. The data was taken from the owner and was interpret and studied by the researcher. 3. 2 Data Gathering Procedures 3. 2. 1 Preparation The researcher talks to the owner and set a meeting date for the interview. After setting an interview, the researcher observes the transaction process of the restaurant and constructs some questions that can be use on the interview. 3. 2. 2 Interview with the ownerThe researcher conducts an interview with the owner. The following details are the coverage of the interview: †¢ Restaurant process †¢ Mission of the restaurant †¢ Menu of the restaurant †¢ Factors affecting their sales †¢ Promo's of the restaurant †¢ Strategies of the restaurant 3. 2. 3 Analyze the Study The researcher analyzes the given data from the owner and come up with the following factors which include the: †¢ Price of their foods †¢ Employees skills †¢ Seasons/Climate †¢ Promo's of the restaurant 4. 0 Presentation, Ana lysis and Interpretation of Data 4. 1 Sample Data 4. 1. 1 Restaurant Menu Cold CrepesMango Crepe60 Choco Banana Crepe60 Strawberry Crepe60 Warm Crepes Cheese Steak75 Beef n’ Mushroom75 Chicken Ala King65 Ham n’ Cheese60 Bacon n’ Egg60 Sizzlers T – Bone Steak99 Sirloin Steak75 Pork chop Steak75 Liempo Steak75 Savory Chicken Steak75 Hotdog w/ Egg Steak55 Tapsilog70 Sisig120 Extra Java20 Extra Gravy20 Softdrinks15 4. 1. 2 Interview †¢ What are the promos that this restaurant gives to the customers? Dyulyus Crepes and Steaks gives unlimited rice and free iced tea from 10pm to 12 midnight when you order a food from our restaurant †¢ What are the reasons that affecting the way you sell your products?The reasons are having other competent restaurants, which give a confusion to the customers which restaurant they will choose to eat in. Another reason is the bad weather which cause a laziness to the customers to go outside and buy from a restaurant. â₠¬ ¢ What solutions do you implement when a new competent restaurant becomes popular? It's natural in this kind of business, so we just act natural also. We don't easily get affected and trying to be consistent on our foods. Sometimes we are also implementing an improvement on the recipes. Table 4. 1. 3; Sales of Having a Promo and Without February 18-22, 2013 and February 25-March 1, 2013Table 4. 1. 4; Sales of hiring staff March 4-8, 2013 and March11-15, 2013 4. 2 Interpretation of Data The interview shows that the bad weather, climate and season can affect sales of the restaurant. In some way having a new competent restaurant near at the subject restaurant can also affect the sales. It just likes decreasing the chances that their products will sell. The table 4. 1. 3 shows that promos can affect the sales of the restaurants. People are always looking for promo which gives them a higher discount. The more the discount on the restaurant the more they will avail on the restaurant. Pe ople nowadays are just being practical.The table 4. 1. 4 shows that hiring of additional employees will affects the sales of the restaurant. In a positive way this factor can increase the sales. Having many employees can contribute more in production and serving customers in a fast way. 5. 0 Summary of Findings, Conclusion, and Recommendations 5. 1 Summary 5. 2 Conclusions The price is a bit expensive that's why they need to make it more affordable for students with a tight budget considering they only depend on their allowances. The students should also be able to enjoy their promos at their most convenient times and not during midnight where students have already went home.It's also wise to add some crew during peak hours to assist the waves of students coming in during their breaks. Offer menus that are applicable or enjoyable with the weather and always keep the food presentable and delicious especially if you know you have a rival restaurant. 5. 3 Recommendations Bibliography h ttp://www. technologyevaluation. com/search/for/sample-thesis-proposal-of-hrm-students. html http://www. ehow. com/way_6170764_thesis-ideas-management-degree. html Appendices ———————– [pic]

Brand Loyalty from a Multi-Faceted Perspective Essay

Brand loyalty is the ‘Holy Grail’ to all marketing organizations. Marketing practitioners are consumed by it. They search. They try. They dream. They want to achieve the ultimate in brand loyalty, making it so airtight that no competition can lure their consumers from their brands of products. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fit-all methodology. Competition is dynamic. There’s no way to accurately anticipate what the creativity of their competitors can bring to the marketplace, which can lead to the eventual overwhelming of an established brand. There’s no telling how the motivations and perceptions of their customers may change, having inundated by communications in every conceivable fashion on a daily basis. Yet the organizations that can achieve strong brand loyalty for their products can ensure profitability for their stakeholders. Those who cannot shall perish in the war of the marketplace. Building strong brand loyalty for a company’s products is not just an idea, or a one hit wonder. Rather, building strong brand loyalty is a process that requires management excellence. For this reason we look at brand loyalty from a multi-faceted perspective. Somewhere out there, among the numerous ideas and theories, may lie one that may help turn the fortune of an organization. Hà ¤rtel, C., Russell-Bennett, R., Worthington, S. (2010). Brand Management. A Tri-dimensional Approach for Auditing Brand Loyalty, 17(4), 243-253. Retrieved from http://palgrave-journals.com/bm/. In this article, the authors outline a framework for conducting a brand loyalty audit that uses a tri-dimensional approach, which are, cognitive (I think), emotive (I feel) and behavioral (I do) response. With different levels and intensity of brand loyalty, the tri-dimensional approach allows the manager to target the significant market segments more effectively. The authors have very strong academic credentials from universities in Australia. Worthington is a Professor of Marketing at Monash University specializing in distribution of financial services. Russel-Bennett is an Associate Professor at Queensland University with research and consulting work on the role of emotions in organizational and consumer behavior. Hà ¤rtel is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and Development and Director of the Social and Economic Interface Research at Monah University. In conducting the audit, the first step is to measure the current level of emotional, cognitive and behavioral loyalty, and then, in step two, prioritize the segments. Once the priorities are set, the manager will have to strategize to increase loyalty (if it is low) or maintain loyalty (if it is high). Thus, this article is for managers looking to evaluate the strength and flaws of their product, with the goal of brand loyalty in mind. This article has 24 references; nearly half of these references are based on the authors’ previous research involving brand loyalty and marketing, the other references help to build on concepts and research examples. The tri-dimensional audit faces two challenges. First, the framework is untested and therefore requires validation across product types. Second, the level of influence on priority and strategies is not knowable and therefore is subject to arbitration. More work has to be done on this model. Nevertheless, it introduces new ideas in understanding brand loyalty. Babur, M. N. & Naveed, F. (2011). Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business. The Real Battle Starts Now; Moving Beyond Brand Management, 2(12), 629- 635. Retrieved from http://ijcrb.webs.com. This article looks to examine the steps an organization can take after establishing the brand to achieve sustained brand loyalty. This can be achieved through continuous advertising and managing ethical burden. The authors describe ethical burden as the necessity of company to charge real cost of doing business, ensure quality of products and services and develop strong customer relations. The focus group study with a sample of 50 business professionals contends that by managing ethical burden with continuous advertising, it can lead to creating positive brand image and hence, brand loyalty, that will sustain the brand in the long term through repeat buying phenomena. Babur is an Assistant Professor and Principal at ISRA University, Islamabad Campus Pakistan. Naveed is a Senior Research Associate at Riphah International University, Islamabad Pakistan. There are 15 references in this article. The authors use these references to elaborate on concepts relating to marketing in regards to ethical burden, brand image, brand loyalty and, advertising in general. The results of the study indicate that a large portion of the repeat buying behavior is due to unexplained factors across purchasing occasions. The authors state that this study has a 72% of reliability, but did not show the calculation of how the number was derived. The written English is weak and some descriptions are not so clear. Despite this deficiency, this article provides marketing managers with another perspective to sustain brand loyalty. In regards to the 72% reliability, further research can incorporate quantitative methods of research to indentify outliers, which can lead to a more accurate study. Furthermore, additional research should link the actual strategy of using ethical burden and continuous advertising to sustain brand loyalty – preventing or postponing the decline of a mature brand in its product life cycle. Alwi, S. F. S. (2009). International Journal of Business and Society. Online Corporate Brand Images and Consumer Loyalty, 10(2), 1-19. Retrieved from http://feb.unimas.my. This article examines how, traditionally, organizations build their brand image targeting consumers through media such as television, newspapers, and radio. With the advent of online media, the author evaluates if offline brand success can be translated to a positive corporate brand image perception in the online environment. Using the personification approach, a sample of consumers was asked to rank a list of companies (by imagining the company was a human being) based on five main criteria: agreeableness; competence; ruthlessness; chic; and enterprise. The results were, then, compared to several pieces of previous research from both offline, and online perspectives. Syed Alwi is a Professor in the Faculty of Business & Accountancy at the University of Malaya in Malaysia. She received an honors degree in Business Management, and completed her Masters in Marketing all at Salford University in the United Kingdom. She received her PhD in Marketing at the University of Manchester. Managers looking to integrate their marketing plans into the online environment would find this information extremely useful. The article has about 50 references; most of which are used to incorporate ideas and results from previous research. The other references are used to build concepts involving the transition of marketing and branding into online media. When applying the personification results to previous research, it shows that there is a high correlation between high scores in the categories of agreeableness and informality, when compared to a high level of brand loyalty of online consumers. Therefore, for an organization to translate previous brand success to online success, it must portray itself as pleasant, friendly, supportive, open, easy and outgoing to targeted consumers. Using a research method like this seems arbitrary and a more structured research method like a longitudinal study would probably give less erratic results. Anderson, K. & Sharp, B. (2010). International Journal of Market Research. Do Growing Brands win Younger Consumers?, 52(4), 433-441. doi: 10.2501/S1470785309201387 This article attempts to shed some light on the presumption that younger consumers are less loyal and more willing to try new brands than older consumers. The authors analyzed 230 brands from 12 categories such as coffee, beer, internet service provider, and mobile phone. By comparing two periods of data, the authors were able to determine which brands grew and which declined. The results of each brand were, then, compared to an age profile. Consumers under the age of thirty were defined as ‘young’, and those over the age of fifty five were defined as ‘mature’. The research concludes that younger consumers are slightly easier to attract. This is because young consumers are more willing to take risks and their styles are not so fixed, whereas older consumers are more attached to certain existing brands. It is not easy to change the loyalty of buyers, but it is possible. Brand loyalty is indeed alive and well, it is not entirely entrenched. Sharp is a Professor of Marketing Science and Director of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia. Anderson is a Research Associate at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia. Sharp has published several academic papers and books including, â€Å"How Brands Grow† published by Oxford University Pres. Only 10 references are used as most of their data was purchased from one source, the other references allow them to compare data with similar works and draw scholarly conclusions. This article provides a new perspective that while the presumption that it is easier to attract younger consumers is true, the established marketers, to whom this article is intended for, should not target the younger consumers exclusively. Further research should use a larger variety of sources emphasizing exactly how a growing brand should target certain demographic groups in order to achieve greater sales volume. Grzeskowiak, S., Krishen, A. S., Labreque, L. I. (2011). Journal of Brand Management. Exploring Social Motivations for Brand Loyalty: Conformity versus Escapism, 18(7), 457-472. doi:10.1057/bm.2011.12 The authors identify two central moderating variables that explain brand loyalty, which are product knowledge and self-image congruence. Self-image congruence enhances brand loyalty for consumers who desire to conform to the groups or societies they are in. However, those that want to break away from these groups are called escapism-motivated consumers. Escapism-motivated consumers derive their brand loyalty from product knowledge, but product knowledge inhibits brand loyalty for those who are bound to conformity. This study shows that common communications for these two groups are asymmetrical. Labrecque is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Northern Illinois University. She received her PhD in Marketing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Krishen is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Krishen logged 13 years of corporate experience before receiving her Masters and PhD in Marketing from Virginia Tech. The authors used about 60 cited references. However, only a handful of these references are used to expand on key concepts. Most of them are used to elaborate on results using graphs, tables, and cross tabulation. This study highlights the challenges facing the marketers when developing advertising messages for their intended audience. The marketers have to be mindful of the implication of their communications to their diverse group of consumers. This study, though, is limited to focusing only on two motivations – conforming versus escaping. But there are numerous other social motives that are likely to affect brand loyalty. Further research should be done to explore these boundaries. References Ahn, K., Hur, W., Kim, M. (2011). Management Decision. Building Brand Loyalty through Managing Brand Community Commitment, 49(7), 1194-1213. doi: 10.1108/ 00251741111151217 Alwi, S. F. S. (2009). International Journal of Business and Society. Online Corporate Brand Images and Consumer Loyalty, 10(2), 1-19. Retrieved from http://feb.unimas.my. Anderson, K. & Sharp, B. (2010). International Journal of Market Research. Do Growing Brands win Younger Consumers?, 52(4), 433-441. doi: 10.2501/S1470785309201387 Babur, M. N. & Naveed, F. (2011). Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business. The Real Battle Starts Now; Moving Beyond Brand Management, 2(12), 629-635. Retrieved from http://ijcrb.webs.com. Balasubramanian, S. K. & Patwardhan, H. (2011). Journal of Product and Brand Management. Brand Romance: A Complementary Approach to Explain Emotional Attachment toward Brands, 20(4), 297-308. doi: 10.1108/10610421111148315 Grzeskowiak, S., Krishen, A. S., Labreque, L. I. (2011). Journal of Brand Management. Exploring Social Motivations for Brand Loyalty: Conformity versus Escapism, 18(7), 457-472. doi:10.1057/bm.2011.12 Hà ¤rtel, C., Russell-Bennett, R., Worthington, S. (2010). Brand Management. A Tri-dimensional Approach for Auditing Brand Loyalty, 17(4), 243-253. Retrieved from http://palgrave-journals.com/bm/. Kharaim, H. S. (2011). International Journal of Marketing Studies. The Influence of Brand Loyalty on Cosmetics Buying Behavior of UAE Female Consumers, 3(2), 123-133. doi: 10.5539/ijms.v3n2pl23 Kwok, S., Uncles, M. D., Wang, C. (2010). Journal of Marketing Management. A Temporal Analysis of Behavioural Brand Loyalty among Urban Chinese Consumers, 26(9-10), 921-942. doi: 10.1080/02672570903441454 Tsai, S. (2010). International Business Review. Fostering International Brand Loyalty through Committed and Attached Relationships, 20(5), 521-534. doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2010.10.001

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Cadillac CTS-V Series 2009 - Case Study Example In reply to that, Cadillac introduced the CTS in 2002 with a promise to carry forward the company's name and tradition of technology and design innovation. The car, at once got the attention of customers of Mercedes Benz, BMW and AUDI as the CTS was supposed to give head to head competition to the 3 Series of BMW, C class of Mercedes and A4 of Audi. This was the first time GM had introduced a rear-wheel drive car since the Cimarron in 1988. This was to mark a big step for the company's future. GM however, was still helpless when it came to competition by the Germans in the form of its modified, high performance editions of its sedans. BMW's Motorsport division, Mercedes' AMG division and Audi's S and RS divisions virtually faced no American competition and this became a cause of concern for GM. For this purpose, GM introduced its own V-Series line of high performance vehicles in 2004 and the Cadillac CTS-V was born. Thanks to the CTS-V, GM now gives its German rivals a tough time. The latest addition in the V series family, the CTS-V 2009, has taken the market by storm. The car will deliver at least 99 more horsepower compared to any of its immediate competitors such as the RS4, the M3 and the c63 AMG. (J.P.Vettraino, 2008). This paper is dedicated to this very model of the CTS, taking a look at the specifications and reviews of this car and analyzing how this car is said to have blown away its competitors. The CTS-V Series (History) The Cadillac CTS-V, introduced in 2004, is a model in Cadillac's V-Series line of high performance vehicles. It had been aimed to counter the increasing imports of sports sedans mainly from Germany such as the Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG and E55 AMG and the BMW's M3 and M5 models. First Generation (2004-2007) In 2004, the CTS sedan was made to go through various performance upgrades and some body work to furnish the car with a sportier, more aero-dynamic look, resulting in the advent of the CTS-V. GM used the 5.7 liter LS6 V8 engine and the six-speed manual Tremec transmission from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Keebler, n.d.). The Z06 was the best performing car in the GM's production line at that time and it was a wise decision to use its parts in developing competition for the German benchmarks. From 2006 onwards, the LS2 engine replaced the LS6. The 6.0 Liter LS2 produced 400hp at 6000rpm and 400ft-lb (542N-m) at 4400rpm. It was quite similar to the high-performance LS6, but with more peak power and torque throughout the rpm range. Also, thanks to the Brembo brakes and Opel tuned chassis, the handling was significantly improved (Paula, 2005). Second Generation (2009-present) To compete against the current BMW M-Series, Audi S and RS-Series, and Mercedes-Benz AMG lineup, the previous engines, the LS6 and the LS2 V8s, lacked power. To have a chance against the current rivals, the CTS's engine had to generate more power. For that purpose, a supercharged V8, the 6.2 liter LSA, based on the LS9A V8 from the recent Corvette ZR-1 was developed. This power plant had the capability to produce 550 hp and 550 lb-ft (746 N-m) of torque (Abuelsamid, 2008). GM will offer two transmission choices, a six speed transmission with a short-throw shifter and dual clutch flywheel, or a paddle shift six speed. With the power to weight ratio similar to that of the Mercedes E63 AMG, the 2009 CTS-V series is fit to send a buzz of excitement in the

Martin Luther's Reforms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Martin Luther's Reforms - Essay Example However, during the time, the Protestant Reformation created confusion and a sense of chaos among European Christians. Immediate effects of the Protestant Reformation included a division among European Christians. â€Å"The protestant reformation also generated resistance and hostility, not least from the institutions of the traditional church and its defenders† (Greengrass, 1). Prior to the Reformation, European Christians lived in a more conformed society; religion was a very large aspect of their lives and with their religion they had an understanding of their place within their communities and their world. When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a church in 1517, he sparked not only a reaction from the Catholic Church but a reaction from monarchs and citizens across Europe. Some monarchies, such as in Germany, Holland, and England, eventually embraced the idea of reforming the Catholic Church and allowing for the progressive views of Protestantism to reorganize their churches and religious practices (McKay, Hill, and Buckler, 12). Other monarchies were not as accepting. Fra nce and Italy, for example, clung tightly to the history and roots of the Roman Catholic Church (McKay, Hill, and Buckler, 12). Reformists faced multiple hurdles as both the Roman Catholic Church and sympathizing monarchs worked to extinguish the Lutheran movement. Citizens were often accused of heresy or witchcraft, and they were sometimes burned or tortured for their refusal to once again accept the Papal authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church: In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a frenzy spread through Europe that witches in allegiance with the Devil were combining forces to destroy the Christian faith†¦The panic of the masses, from those of the elite to the humble peasantry working together, resulted in thousands of men and women undergoing

Theories of Constructivism and Rational Choice Essay

Theories of Constructivism and Rational Choice - Essay Example This essay stresses that in both constructivism and rationalism, a lot of attention is paid to the interaction between the individual and the social structure but the notion is viewed from different lenses by the school of the thoughts. Constructivism has also tended to give more attention to the traditions and mutual understandings of legitimate behavior. On the other hand, this comes into clash with the perceptions propagated by rationalists who believe that the actors try to do the right thing rather instead of working for and reaping the most benefits from their given set of preferences. Constructivists do not give preference to structure over an agency or vice versa. However, this theory does not accept the notion of individualism which is widely accepted by rationalizing theorists. Constructivists have presented arguments against the individualistic ontology of rationalizing theorists; instead, constructivism has placed stress on social ontology. As the report highlights the aim of positivist theories is to imitate and reproduce in a similar form the procedures undertaken by natural sciences. This is done by reflecting upon and evaluating the effect of material sciences. Positivist theories are characterized by their capacity to take into account various features of international relations like the nature of interactions amongst states, the size of the army put into order by governments, the clash and balance of the authorities and the control of the states. On the same hand, the role of post-positivist epistemology comes into limelight. This epistemology refutes the notion that the social world can be investigated and studies upon for the purpose of gaining more insight into the dynamics of international relations by taking an  unbiased and value-free  approach. The concepts of neo-liberalism and neo-realism, as promoted by a number of theorists, are not granted credibility and substance for study of the social world. Th is follows that the rational choice theory and other theories that fall under the category of neo-liberalism and neo-realism are not a viable approach for knowing more about the social world in an academic way. Post-positivist epistemology  regards that these theories are not applicable for this purpose because the scientific method cannot be used for analyzing the interactions being carried out in social setups, and therefore a science relating to the international relations can never be established. One of the main differences between the two sets of theories is that while positivist theories, like neo-realism, present simple explanations, e.g. the rationales as for why and how power is to be used; post-positivist theories instead center on constitutive questions, like what exactly is meant by power, what builds it up, how it is experienced and reproduced. The rational choice theory   Evolution of Rational Choice Theory The rational choice theory is based on the views and conc epts of a man named Cesare Beccaria from the 1700s. Cruelty and harsh punishments were common in the period of the nineteenth century but Beccaria’s dedication to the field aided in eliminating such unjust practices. He believed

Hydration and nutrition at the end of life Essay - 8

Hydration and nutrition at the end of life - Essay Example According to standard practice in the UK and Scotland, palliative care and end-of-life healthcare requires a holistic approach through which patients are given the kind of care that influences all aspects of their lives positively (Tappenden, et al., 2013). Therefore, it is important for all aspects of healthcare to be considered and taken into account in order to provide the best of treatment for this category of patients. Furthermore, palliative care and elderly healthcare come with major issues that require the active involvement of the families of patients (Field & Cassel, 2013). This means there is the need for authorisation in an official and unofficial context for the provision of proper care and treatment. In spite of the importance of nutrition in improving the lives of end-of-life patients, evidence indicates that a vast majority of these patients are not given the proper care and attention in terms of feeding and the digestion process (Mann & Truswell, 2012). Over 55% of nurses and medical practitioners do not spend quality time examining and critiquing options for the provision of high quality care (Gillespie & Raftery, 2014). Therefore, patients get major complications that contribute to their challenges at these sensitive times of their lives. The purpose of this research is to examine the main issues with the provision of proper nutrition to persons who are going through end-of-life medical treatments and processes. This will culminate in the examination of a central point in research and from there, In order to design a proper research, there was the need to define the scope of the research and formulate an appropriate strategy to conduct the study.

Mao Zedong Essay Example for Free

Mao Zedong Essay Mao Zedong took over the running of China from the GMD in 1949. The country was in an awful situation; it was weak, bankrupt and had little power. There were several reasons why the country was left in such a state. The Emperors who had ruled China for centuries had failed to modernise the country and China still believed in the ancient traditions of life. Foreign intervention had also hindered the development of China and caused problems. Foreign countries, such as Hong Kong, which was controlled by Britain and Mares, which was controlled by Portugal, controlled the main port areas in China. The intervention of foreign influence meant that China was unable to make important decisions for themselves. The world wars and the civil wars also affected China. The continuous battles between the GMD and the CCP striped the land of valuable resources. At the end of the civil war the defeated GMD left China for Taiwan and took the countries gold reserves. When the CCP took over as the governing body of China, they were bankrupt and had little power or resources. Mao Zedong decided action needed to be taken and this was one of the reasons why the second five-year plan was introduced. In 1950 Mao decided that China needed financial support, and so turned to Russia. Russia was the first communist country and was a natural place to look for help. China and Russia signed the Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance. China was provided with financial aid and technical advice. They received $300 million over 5 years and 10,000 engineers and planning experts to help develop Chinas economy. The First five year plan was drawn up under the influence of the Russian advisers, to develop the economy. The plan gave priority to the development of heavy industry e. g. steel, coal and machinery. But it neglected light industry such as cotton making and food processing. This meant that the growth in living standards was slow. The first five year plan achieved great success in the development of heavy industry. The output of coal increased from 63. 5 million tonnes in 1952 to 124 tonnes in 1957. The output of steel also increased. It rose from 1,9 million tonnes to 5. 8 million tonnes. The Second five year plan was introduced in 1958 to build upon the successes of the first five year plan. Maos aim was that the second five year plan would improve both industry and agriculture at the same time. The main target of the plan was to catch up with the Western powers. Mao intended that the Chinese economy would overtake Britain in 15 years and America in 20-30 years. Mao took over China when it was very weak and very vulnerable. Under the guidance of the Russian advisers Mao introduced the first five year plan. During this plan some improvements were made, but Mao still decided further sacrifice was needed to move China forward. During Maos tour of the countryside in 1958 he said he had witnessed the tremendous energy of the masses and decided this was the way to change China into a modern country. Mao had a vision to make China into one of the worlds leading industrial nations at the same time as improving her agriculture. To do this Mao introduced the second five year plan, which he called the Great Leap Forward. When Mao received financial aid from Russia in 1950, he described this as getting meat out of the mouth of a tiger. Mao knew it was dangerous but also knew it was the only way to develop China. Mao also introduced the Great Leap Forward because he realised he had to develop China as they could not rely on Russia forever, and must stand on its own. Mao wanted to conduct the Great Leap Forward in a socialist way. Cooperatives and then communes were set up to gather the tremendous energy of the masses. The peasants. The peasants were very important in Maos plan. Mao was going to use the huge amount of peasants to change China. 80-90% of the population were peasants; Mao had plenty of people to carry out tasks. During he first five year plan the peasants had been set up into lower and higher stage co-operatives, this was to share the workload. In the second five year plan these co-operatives were developed into communes. The function of the communes was to act as a unit of local government with a committee made up of peasants, party members and soldiers. Each commune had an eating hall, schools and houses of happiness for the old. They were also set up as a unit of work organisation and finally a unit of the communist party. Mao encouraged the peasants to work by using propaganda. The government made every effort to whip the people into a frenzy of enthusiasm for work. They used posters, slogans and newspaper articles to urge the Chinese people to work, also loudspeakers played revolutionary music and stirring speeches to encourage work. The peasants may have been Chinas biggest resource but they were also theirs biggest problem as there was a tremendous amount of them and it was difficult to feed them all. China had very poor relations with America and there was a risk of conflict. The USA feared that China would spread communism to Asia and then to other parts of the world. The USA also showed its support for the GMD and in 1949 sent a US fleet to Taiwan. This was to show China that its support lay with the GMD and not them. This enraged Mao. In 1950 the USA sent troops to South Korea against the Chinese backed North Korea who were attempting to spread communism. In 1953 the relations between China and the USA were again affected. The USA blocked Chinas application to join the UN (United Nations) because they did not want to accept that the CCP was the governing body of China. China felt threatened by the USA and wanted to strengthen itself so it could stand up to countries like America. This was one of the reasons why the second five-year plan was introduced. China also had difficult relations with Russia. To begin with the two countries had a strong Relationship and then it fell apart. China and Russia seemed to be natural allies against the Western powers, as they were both communist countries. In 1950 Russia and China signed a Treaty of Friendship. But Mao realised this was dangerous, he states it was like taking meat from the mouth of a tiger. Mao wasnt the only one who thought this deal was risky. Khrushchev, the leader of Russia states that conflict with China is inevitable. He also said Mao is bursting with a impatient desire to rule the world. So conflict between the two countries seemed certain. In the mid 1950s the relations between the two countries began to deteriorate, due to several reasons. First Russia promised to help China develop atomic weapons but when asked they refused. Secondly China made claims for land at the India border but Russia failed to back them. China also claimed the right to control Taiwan and Russia again failed to support them. Finally Russia and China themselves had border disputes which weakened relations even further. China began to feel isolated by the breakdown of relations and Mao decided China must develop to survive. Then in1960 Russia withdrew aid, relations at this time were critical. Mao knew he had to act and the poor relations between China and Russia was a main reason why the second five-year plan was introduced. Only a few months after Mao introduced the Great Leap Forward things began to go dreadfully wrong. There were problems in industry and agriculture. The government put too much pressure on people and machinery. Often people would fall asleep at their post and machines would regularly overload due to the increased workload. The idea of the backyard steel campaign was also a failure. It produced impure steel which couldnt be used and steel that could be used was just left to rot. The backyard steel campaign took many peasants away from farming and so less food was being produced. The campaign also used valuable resources it used a lot of wood and coal. Many railway locomotives were unable to be used because of the lack of coal available. The crops that were grown began to die due to bad planning. The crops were place in show fields were there was little room, little and not much water. Bad weather also hindered the production of food. In some parts of the country crop fields were flooded by the heavy rains, whilst other crop field were left without any water and the crop were left to die. During the 3 bitter years 1959-61, over 20million people died as a result of lack of food. This was due to bad planning and the awful weather conditions. When the Russians withdrew their aid in 1960 the second five-year plan collapsed. Mao then lost support and the moderates kicked him out of office. Mao was left with the post of chairman of the party but had no control in the economy or the running of the country. During the second five-year plan the following successes were made. The population was reorganised into communes, this was such a success because there was over 700 million peasants living in China. To start with the plan achieved early success in the production of food and steel. There were also 600,000 furnaces set up to aid in the production of steel. The Chinese peasants also constructed a dam and canal. These were completed in record time. The second five-year plan also suffered a lot of failures. Poor planning caused these. The backyard steel campaign wasted resources such as coal and timber and took peasants away from food production. The output of the steel was impure and unusable. There was competition between communes, which led to each commune setting ridiculous targets. This led to the government believing it had more food and so food rations were increased. The second five-year plan ended in complete failure causing the deaths of more then 20million people from starvation and other related diseases.

Characteristics Affecting Consumer Behaviour

Characteristics Affecting Consumer Behaviour Consumers buying behaviour has been comprehensively researched by marketers in order to understand how, what and why customers buy products and on what are the basis of their decisions. The fundamental basic approach into analysing consumer buyer behaviour is considered the Stimulus Response model developed by Pavlov shown in Figure . In this model consumers are subject to marketing stimuli as well as other stimuli such as economic, technological, political and cultural events. These are then evaluated by the customers black box which is based on personal buyer characteristics and decision processes, and hence different buyer responses are observed (Kotler Armstrong, 2001). Figure : Model of Buyer Behaviour Kotler Armstrong (2001) define the traditional buying decision process in five consequent steps which consist of: Problem identification Information search Evaluation of Alternatives Purchasing decision Post purchase behaviour The above model implies that the buying process initiates quite before the actual purchase and continues after. The process starts with the need recognition where the consumer recognizes a problem or a need, which could be caused by internal or external stimuli. The consumer will hence start to search and gather information in order to satisfy their needs. Information can be obtained from a variety of sources such as personal sources, commercial sources, public sources, and experiential sources. Once the consumer is armed with the required information, the consumer uses this information to evaluate alternatives in selected the brand. Following the evaluation of the options available, the consumer is required to make the purchase decision and select which brand to purchase. The loop doesnt close with the purchase of the product, but rather post purchase behaviour recognises whether the product meets the consumers expectations. Customer satisfaction is key because it will result in rep eat customers and positive word of mouth. Characteristics affecting consumer behaviour Consumer behaviour is highly influenced by external and internal factors. The external factors are divided into five sectors: Demographics, socio-economics, technology and public policy; culture; subculture; reference groups; and marketing. The internal factors include a variety of psychological factors, such as beliefs and attitudes, motivation, perception, learning and self-image (Malcolm, 2001). Studies have shown that these factors and others that fall beyond the marketers control have a significant impact on consumers behaviour and purchasing decisions (Dibb, et al., 2001; Solomon Stuart, 2003). Shah (2010) refers to traditional consumer behaviour in purchasing goods and services as the process of selecting, purchasing and consuming of goods and services that satisfies consumer wants. Consumers select the product they would like to consume by identifying the good or product that provides them with the greatest value in return. Hence the consumer will focus on the available spending power to obtain the commodity. Following the analysis of cost and price of the commodity, a final decision is taken to select the best option that satisfies the consumer needs. This process does not occur in vacuum, and is highly influenced by various factors such as social, cultural, personal and psychological factors. Although marketers have little or no influence on the mentioned factors, they still have some very important tools which may affect the buying decision process. The marketing mix, also known as the 4Ps product, price, place and promotion, is the set of controllable marketing tools that the firm uses to influence consumers behaviour in order to obtain a desired response from the target market (McCarthy, 1960). Online Buying Behaviour Since the expansion of the World Wide Web in the mid-1990s, the Internet has grown to become one of the most powerful distribution channels with a rapid increase in ecommerce transactions. This raised the need for marketers to discover the customers online behaviour and understand their decision making process when making purchases online. There are substantial differences between offline and online consumer behaviour. In his study, Vijayasarathy (2001) tried to clarify consumer online shopping behaviour by integrating web specific factors into the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Furthermore Song and Zahedi (2001) examined the effects of website design on the adoption of internet shopping by developing on the model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Oppenheim and Ward (2006) argue that consumers are motivated to buy online because of the convenience provided. The internet provides unlimited opportunities for potential customers to purchase products at any given time and place. The internet also provides limitless information about products and services which is easily accessible to online visitors. Furthermore when comparing online shopping to traditional shopping, there are no waiting lines for shoppers on the internet and no pressure coming from sales people (Smith Rupp, 2003). However studies show that the internet has become a useful tool for comparative shopping, where users browse the web to search and compare products, whilst making it easy to abandon the purchasing process (Degeratu, et al., 2000). Furthermore Anfusos research (2004) shows that the online search for information about products drive offline sales. Consumers prefer to search for product information online since it is much more convenient, and hence purcha se the product from a brick and mortar store. Different authors have identified various divergent personas describing what the online buyers look like. Marker (2011) suggests that online buyers tend to exhibit the following psychological characteristics: egocentric, impatient, impulsive, educated, informed, thrifty, private, cautious, indecisive and pleasure-driven. In their study Donthu and Garcia (1999) propose that online shoppers tend to be convenience seekers and tare easily influenced by marketing campaigns. Furthermore they also put forward that internet users are less price and brand conscious, whilst also suggesting that these have a higher purchasing power. Other studies show that online customers are more likely to be of a young age with a high disposable income. It is also propose that they have a solid level of education especially in computer literacy, as well as being big retail spenders (Allred, et al., 2006). As mentioned earlier there are various factors which impact the traditional consumer behaviour. Liang and Lai (2000) suggest that online consumer behaviour has similarities with the traditional consumer behaviour, where consumers recognize a need for a product or service, use the internet to search for information, evaluate alternatives to choose the best solution and finally purchase the product followed by post purchase evaluation. However other studies indicate that there exist various factors that differ from the traditional consumer markets to the online environment. Refernce groups effecting consumer behaviour online have taken the form of virtual communities, consisting of blogs, forums and other forms of discussion groups (Huarng Christopher, 2003). Social influences, such as experiences, recommendations and tastes of online bloggers have an effect on online consumer buying behaviour and have a significant impact on the final decision the consumer makes. In their study Hasslinger, et al., (2007) highlight the fact that cultural differences also highly influece online consumer behaviour, especially the difference in social class the consumer belongs to. Consumers who form part of a higher social class have a higher probability of owning a computer with internet access, and thus they are more likely to purchase online than consumers from lower social classes. Personal influences effecting online behaviour also relates to the income the consumers earn, since there exists a positive correlation between households with higher income and computer possession, internet access and advanced level of education (Monsuwe, et al., 2004). Age was also recognised as being another determinant for effecting online shopping behaviour (Smith Rupp, 2003). Younger people are more pertinent in using the internet as a shopping medium compared to the older generation, since the latter tend to have less technical know-how and are far less inclined to commit and trust online vendors. Furthermore Smith and Rupp (2003) classify motivation, perception, personality, attitude and emotions as the set of psychological characteristics influencing online consumer behaviour. With the launch of Web 2.0 in 2004, the interaction between online consumers and vendors has become a reality, which became possible due to evolution of high-speed broadband connections. Web 2.0 consists of a collection of interactive tools and social communication techniques which are aimed to increase user participation and engagement online through its virtual word of mouth (Chaffey, 2011). In their study, Wirtz, et al., (2010), identify social networking and interaction factors as the two most important factors affecting online consumer behaviour from the Web 2.0 era. Moreover social networking provides online consumers with enhanced trust factors and helps retain online customers, which is fundamental for online retailers (Jarvenpaa, et al., 2000). In their research, Cheung, et al., (2003), analysed 351 publications and classified the theories used to understand online consumer behaviour. They conclude that the principal models in assessing this area are the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) together with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Other theories which have been tested include The Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT). Table provides the list of the most frequently tested theories in the area online consumer behaviour together with their references. Cheung, et al., (2003) take a holistic view of the online consumer purchase process, where they investigate the connection between the intention, adoption and continuance of purchase from online consumers. Their Model of Intention, Adoption and Continuance (MIAC) recognised that businesses primarily focused their efforts in attracting online customers. However due to stiff competition, organisations changed their attention from initial purchase to retaining customers and building customer loyalty. Table : References of Online Consumer Behaviour Research Online marketers persuasion tools Consumers are subject to influences from marketers which might impact their purchasing behaviour. Marketers provide stimuli to the consumers black box in order to try and influence the consumers decision prior to making their purchase decision (Kotler Armstrong, 2001). The set of controllable (i.e., traditional marketing) and uncontrollable (i.e., environmental factors and personal characteristics of the consumer) factors between online and traditional markets do not vary fundamentally, where both markets have factors which are within the influence of marketers and some factors which fall beyond their reach. As discussed above, most uncontrollable factors are quite similar for both the traditional and online markets (Dibb, et al., 2001; Solomon Stuart, 2003). However a thorough analysis of the online consumer purchasing decision indicates that the controllable factors influencing the traditional markets are distinct from those influencing the online market. Although most of the traditional marketing activities, such as mass advertising and sales promotions, can be applied to the online market in order to try and influence the online consumer behaviour, they are likely to be futile due to the changing nature of the online consumer (Urban Hauser, 2003). Moreover, Constantinides and Geurts (2005) suggest that traditional marketing tools are ineffective when targeting potential global online customers dispersed across different geographical regions. Since most of the interactions between online customers and online vendors occur on the web, a logical assumption is that the main marketing influences produced from the online vendors are experienced by customers online. Online marketers can influence the online consumer behaviour primarily by delivering the proper online experience, more known as the Web Experience. The virtual marketing elements constructing the online consumers Web Experience are under the e-marketers control and can shape or influence the consumers behaviour during an online interaction (Constantinides, 2004; Constantinides Geurts, 2005). Forces influencing customers purchase intention (Model) The Web experience is a combination of online functionality, information, cues, stimuli and products/services (Constantinides, 2004). The company website is primary medium of delivering the Web experience, which is the gateway between the organisation and the online customers. Constantinides (2004) explores the idea of introducing the Web experience as one of the controllable marketing factors influencing the online consumers behaviour. Figure illustrates the controllable and uncontrollable elements influencing the online consumer behaviour. Figure : Forces influencing the online consumers behaviour Source: Based on Constantinides framework (2004) Web Experience Web Experience Elements Content Category Aesthetics Marketing Mix Psychological Category Trust and Commitment Functionality Category Usability Interactivity

Case Study Market Entry Modes Marketing Essay

Case Study Market Entry Modes Marketing Essay Introduction One of the biggest realities of our lives is the fact that we are living in a world were the walls of our homes, virtually, no longer exist. We live in an open, interdependent and interconnected world, where living in isolation and maintaining privacy is no longer possible. Globalization, lifting of trade barriers, revolution in information technology and many other factors has brought people closer than ever in the history before. Quite reasonably, globalization had a great impact at the corporate world as well. Even if companies want, they cannot contain themselves into their domestic markets since the desire to grow and grow constantly have made them obsessed with international expansions. Consider these examples. Exxon Mobil is an American firm, which receives more than 75 percent of their yearly revenues from operations in rest of the world. Finnish employees no longer form the majority at Nokias head quarter, which is a Finland based company; surprisingly, employees from China and India dominate the numbers. Honda, a Japanese automobile maker, has its biggest production plant in Ohio. 3M would lose more than 53% of its revenues if the American government asks them to restrict their operations within the United States (Johnson Turner, 2009). Ford would find itself in big trouble if there were some disturbance in America-Brazil relations because Ford manufactures most of its cars in Brazil. BMW directly finds itself affected with any changes in the economy of South Africa or India because of the presence of its manufacturing plants there. McDonalds earns 63 percent of its income from operations outside the United States of America (David, 2010). Therefore, the point here is more and more companies, everyday, are trying to increase their scope of operations in terms of geographical markets. However, in the process of expanding globally, one of the most important decisions that firms have to undertake is deciding on the market entry mode. Quite reasonably, d eciding on the market entry mode is important because it is the base on which rest of the operations would be conducted throughout the life of that expansion. Since there are varying levels of control, risk, involvement, nature of competition, investment and market costs, speed of entry and profit potential in each option, therefore, the decision for the same has to be made after great thought, decision, analysis, market research and debate. This paper is an attempt to explore, analyze and examine these different modes of entries in foreign markets, looking at their advantages and disadvantages and best fit situations. The remaining portion of the paper would try to bring the previously mentioned concepts in practice by shedding some light on the best-fit market entry mode for an automobile firm in Czech Republic. Market Entry Modes Even a glance at the literature available on international marketing and specifically market entry modes and strategies would reveal that there are differences between authors and management experts on how they group these modes and strategies. Furthermore, as the time passes and market place becomes more competitive, firms are trying to use new, complex and innovative entry strategies. However, important here to note is that the underlying idea or the basic concept is the same. Therefore, in light of the most of the material present on this topic, market entry modes can broadly be grouped into four categories, which are exporting, licensing/franchising, Joint ventures/ Strategic alliances and Full ownership/direct entry (Onkvisit Shaw, 2008). Exporting One of the oldest, well-established and traditional forms of entry in any foreign market is through exporting. According to its definition, exporting is the process of selling goods and services produced in one country to various other countries. As mentioned earlier, there are many ways in which marketers divide and classify exporting mode. One-way of doing the same is classifying it as occasional exporting and active exporting. Occasional exporting is a passive way of exporting with low level of involvement in the process. The company decides to export from time to time, when needed, demanded or whenever, it appears feasible to the company. However, with active exporting the company actively engages in the process and takes on the responsibility to export throughout the year. However, a more acceptable and superior way of classifying them is in groups of direct exporting and indirect exporting (Johnson Turner, 2009). Indirect Exporting Amongst all the possible market entry modes, indirect exporting is the way that offers minimal risk, minimal level of involvement, however, at the same time, the returns or profit potential also remains low. Most companies that would want to entry in the market in any form would initially test the waters with indirect exporting. The whole idea of indirect exporting is to sell goods with intermediaries in between which can take the responsibility of dealing with the company and the rest of people. For example, domestic based export merchants, who buy the products of the company and assume the responsibility of taking care of the rest of the deal. Domestic based export agents try to deal with foreign purchases and in return, they are paid a commission. Cooperative organizations, which are usually under public sector, governmental or administrative control would deal with foreign purchasers on behalf of many exporters. Lastly, there are export management companies as well which would ma nage the companys exports in return for a fee or a small share in the profits (Onkvisit Shaw, 2008). Direct Exporting Once they have gained experience, many firms try to jump into the arena of direct exporting by eliminating all the intermediaries and dealing directly with the final purchasers. Despite the fact that exporting in general, is the lowest risk, lowest control and lowest involvement option available in all strategies, yet comparatively with indirect exporting, it increases the risk, control and involvement. Companies are now own their own to understand their purchases, contact them, negotiate with them, understand their culture and needs, unsaid and unheard signals and others. Companies may end up mistakes in the same if they do not have the expertise, knowledge and experience; however, it is tempting because careful execution may increase the profit potential. Firms may also have to develop an overseas sales force, travelling export sales representatives, overseas sales branch or subsidiary, foreign-based distributors or agents, set of international contacts or an export department sole ly to look after the exports of the company (Johnson Turner, 2009). Contractual Mode When firms try to assume more responsibility, want to take higher risks and control in return for high returns they try to enter into contractual agreements with others for their entry in the foreign market. Since comparatively with all other methods, the responsibility is low, therefore, it is also regarded another troublefree and simple method. Following are different variations of the contractual mode (Hollensen, 2009). Licensing The licensor simply issues a license to a foreign company so that the company can gain access or use the selling rights of the product, trademark, patent, trade secret, and manufacturing process. The same is done in exchange of a fixed fee, certain percentage of profit margin, or royalty. It aims at creating a win-win situation for both the partners since the licensor gains entry in the market for a very little risk and level of involvement and the licensee gains the rights to use or sell the product for a little fee. Management Contracts Firms like Hyatt and Marriot sell management contracts to foreign hotel owners to run their hotels in the name of their companys brand for a fee. In fact, the company may even assure to buy some stake in the assets of the foreign hotels as well (David, 2010). Contract Manufacturing As the name suggests, when exporting seems to be an expensive option, the company would hire a local manufacturer and ask him to initiate the production on behalf of the company. Franchising Another very common form of contractual agreements is franchising. For example, KFC has franchised its operations in Pakistan to a Dubai based company name Cupola that runs its businesses in Pakistan in exchange for a share in the profits. KFC has offered Cupola complete control over using the brand, inventories, and raw materials and in return, Cupola is taking the responsibility of operating all the franchises (Johnson Turner, 2009). However, in case of an incompetent franchisee or licensee, the company may find damage and destruction to its brand name. Furthermore, if appropriate legal terms and conditions are not defined, then the contractual partner may emerge as a competitor either in the domestic market of the company or, when the company decides to end the contract and enter in the market by itself. Furthermore, important here to note is that contractual agreements are the best way when the company is looking for comprising on their profit margins in return on low level of h assle, control, involvement and investment (Cateora Graham, 2007). Joint Ventures / Strategic Alliances Consider these examples. Ready to drink tea and coffee, which is currently being sold in huge amounts in Japan, is a result of joint venture between Nestle and Coca Cola. In order to become a dim ant force in selling baby diapers in Italy and United Kingdom, Procter Gamble and Fater, which are rivals in the rest of the world, decided to join their hands and work together. When Unilever wanted to enter in the Chinese ice cream market, it has no choice but to work together with Sumstar, a public sector Chinese company (Shenkar Luo, 2008). As evident from these examples, many players in the international market would use the method of joint ventures in order to operate in different markets. There are various reasons for the same. First, for many countries, joint venture may be the only mode of entry. Second, the company might lack the financial, intellectual, physical, managerial or other resources to undertake the venture all alone. Third, merger of two firms may offer them the chanc e to emerge as the market leader in that market (Lymbersky, 2008). However, there are many problems with joint ventures at the same time, which need to be addressed in order to make sure that the ventures are successful. First, firms often find themselves fighting over the use of retained earnings, a partner may believe it should be reinvested, other may think that it should be used to pay more dividends. Second, cultural problems always arise when firms from different cultures are trying to work together. Pre-requisite knowledge about other cultures is extremely important. Third, the partners may not be able to trust each other in terms of using and sharing important internal information. Fourth, problems also arise when a partner tries to end the joint venture since terms of the same have not been decided yet. Fifth, partners always try to ensure that their own competitive, bargaining and negotiative position could be strengthened, at times by putting the joint venture at stake. It is also important to note that as compared to the modes of exporting and contracts, joint ventures allow the firm to exercise greater control, earn more profits in return for more risk, higher investment and higher level of involvement (Czinkota, et.al., 2010). Full Acquisition Lastly, the most way, which offers the maximum possible control, maximum profit potential, maximum level of involvement, requires maximum investment and which is the most risky is full direct acquisition. Quite clearly, the firm decides not to merge or collaborate with anyone or accept any intermediaries in between but to do it on your very own. There are various modes of entering any market directly. A firm may decide to buy and set up his very own new planet, right from scratch. It is also known as green field investment. The way would be in which the firm may decide to acquire the resources, name and operations of any existing company in the market. Direct investment is a decision taken in situations when the market appears to be big enough to offer advantages of economies of scale, government and other stakeholders are very friendly, the market is huge enough that saturating point would come after many years and until then the profit potential or the ROI is high or the company is sure that it has or it would be able to have to good, favorable and friendly image in the country. Again, important here is to note the fact that high returns which this mode of entry offers is only and only in return of the high risk that the mode incorporates (Wagner, 2009). Example of Czech Republic As mentioned in the introductory phase of the paper, that now the paper would use the Czech Republics automotive industry as an example to apply the concepts presented above. Czech Republic and its Automotive Industry Surrounded by Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Austria, Czech Republic is land locked country located in the central Europe. The country came into being in 1993 and since then it has been a member of NATO, OCED and EU. With high incomes, GDP per Capita, stable economic growth and overall better economic outlook, Czech Republic is a developed country, which has attracted many investors over the years (OCED, 2010). The automotive industry of Czech Republic is one of the most important sectors of the Czech economy where it has witnessed a lot of foreign investment. Technologically advance infrastructure, high incomes, stable economy and changing consumer preferences means that the industry offers some serious prospects fro growth. Currently Skoda is leading the automotive industry of Czech Republic (Pavlà ­nek, 2008). Best Entry Mode and Justifications Political and Legal Factors: It is mainly due to favorable political-legal macro environmental factors that it joint ventures appear to be more feasible as compared to licensing or exporting. Firstly, the government of Czech Republic is extremely enthusiastic and serious about increasing and encouraging foreign investors to enter the Czech market and invest in it. Therefore, the government offers various incentives, which include corporate income tax relief, job creation grants, training grants, transfer of land on discounted rates, discounts of purchasing land for businesses and others. Secondly, the government is taking all possible steps for improving the infrastructure in the country, which will further increase the demand for automobiles in the country. Third, the government of Czech Republic is also considering adopting Euro by the 2013-2014 (OCED, 2010). Economic Factors: Czech Republic is high-income country and one of most developed and industrialized countries of European Union. Stable Economy, healthy inflation rates and ranks 26th in the world in terms of GDP per capita, Czech Republic has a strong banking system. Furthermore, it has been ranked high on the factor ease of doing business. Despite the fact the economy shrinked due to the current crisis with negative GDP growth rates, but the country has plans for even more aggressive growth as the economy recovers in order to make up for the lost growth in the recession. Therefore, the country offers many prospects of growth (OCED, 2010). Social Factors: Unlike other European countries, 71 percent of the Czech Population is the age bracket of 15-64 years. Since these are the people who are the prospective buyers of automobiles, there are chances of extensive growth (OCED, 2010). Technological Factors: Czech Republic has been ranked as the 4th country in world in terms of attractiveness for automotive research. Furthermore, the country has a huge pool of skilled labour, both in managerial and technical fields. The country has high level of IT spending which is around 3.2 percent of the GDP when the EU average is around 2.72 percent (Czinkota, et.al., 2010). Rivalry: -Another reason for the same is due to high rivalry amongst the current players in the industry. Players like Skoda, Fait, Toyota, Ford, Citron, Renault and others are almost balanced with each other, which fuels the rivalry. However, if a competitor of considerable, even moderate financial and technological strength decides to enter with a joint venture, then it would disturb this balance of the industry by making the partnership emerge as the biggest firm of the industry. Quite understandably, the same would help in decreasing the threat of rivalry in the market (Czech Invest, 2009). Economies of Scale: Without any doubts, automotive industry is one those where historically, firms have always tried to rake advantage of economies of scale by large-scale production. However, presence of many players and their own different production houses means that none of the player has been able to take complete advantage of it. However, with a joint venture, both the companies would be able to produce together and produce more, thus reaping the benefits of economies of scale (Pavlà ­nek, 2008). Cost of entry: Entering in any automotive industry of the world requires considerable amount of investments as compared to many other industries. Moreover, with increasing investment, increases the overall risk in operations as well. Therefore, it is advisable to get to establish partnership with other firms so that the cost of entry could be reduced and at the same time, substantial level of control over the operations could be gained as well (Czech Invest, 2009). Access to distribution channels: Distribution channels hold immense importance for any industry, however, for automotive industry marketing and distribution channels are of above average importance. Customers are greatly influenced by the distributors, therefore, access and partnerships with them is really important. However, presence of well-established existing players means that any firm, which tries to enter directly the automotive industry, would have to face a tough time, at least in its initial days, for getting access to the distribution channels. Joint venture with an already established partner in the market would mean that the firm would not have to put considerable amount of energy in this regard (Pavlà ­nek, 2008). Cultural barriers: Quite reasonably, Czech Republic has its own culture, which has not been researched very much since it has been less than two decades since it became an independent country. Any new entrant in the market would face cultural barriers, however, with joint venture, the player which is already working in the market and has know about he dynamics of consumer behaviours and market conditions would offer substantial help in overcoming this barrier.

scarsbel Using Scars to Communicate in Toni Morrisons Beloved Essay

Using Scars to Communicate in Beloved There are certainly complications to assumptions of how scars are used as a means of communication in the novel, Beloved. The character named Beloved has her own distinct scars that bear significance in the story. Her scars are distinct not only in their origins, but also in their meaning, and create a point of diversion from the traditional pattern established by the role of scars in the lives of other characters. The scratches on her forehead and the cut across her neck were not made by a white oppressor, but instead by her own mother, Sethe. Sethe kills her own daughter in a fit of anxiety, rather than to have her children taken away by the slave owners which tracked her down following her escape. These markings tell Beloved's story, how her own mother sawed away at the baby girl's tiny neck, her fingernails clawing into her forehead. In the end, this is the way in which Sethe can identify the returned from the dead Beloved (now an adult) as well. These scars serve as a reminder o f everything Beloved had gone through. They become a symbo...

Unions Essay -- essays research papers fc

Michael Paul 099 66 3949 History 316z Trade unionism, industrial unionism, and socialism were the main forms of organized labor in the late nineteenth century early twentieth century, yet rarely did these shifting currents flow in complementary ways that might appeal to the vast majority of struggling workers. The three most important formal organizations were the American Federation of Labor (AFL), the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the Socialist Party of America. All three of these organizations had there own strengths but the many weaknesses and divisions combined with outside influences caused the retardation of their radical, left wing ideas. The American Federation of Labor was founded with the intention of building the class conscioussness and economic power of workers by organizing them on occupational lines. It pursued policies to win short term, concrete, economic gains (Cashman,206.) The AFL was first established as the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor U nions of the United States and Canada from several independent national trade unions in 1881 and it took its definitive form and new name in 1886.The AFL was decentralized and organized as a loose coalition of almost autonomous national unions (Cashman,205.) The advantage to this was that decisions were made in each union where the leaders understood the situation. However, the AFL retreated from its Marxian origins to become a profoundly conservative organization restricted to the ranks of skilled, white males. This restrictive policy was a major flaw of the AFL and kept them from gaining the numbers and strength that it may have attained. These policies came directly from the ideas of the AFL’s longtime leader Samuel Gompers. Gompers believed that labor should accept the existing capitalist economy but try and get a larger share for labor by way of higher wages, shorter hours and better conditions of work. He believed that the idealistic goal of a fundamental economic refor m was an illusion (Cashman,221.) His conservative approach included negotiation and conciliation in labor disputes and in resort to strikes only after other methods had failed. He opposed alliances with political parties and the formation of a labor political party. His prime concern was the status of the skilled worker, which under his leadership attained greater stability than ever before. In concentratin... ...s. By contrast the IWW led by Bill Haywood was the most radical and controversial of all American labor movements. Haywood’s unconventional methods and uncompromising stands frequently put him at odds with allies and opponents alike. And the Socialist Party of America led by Eugene Debs had potential to improve the lives of workers everywhere but do to internal conflicts was unable to truly make a difference. Had these three organizations been able to play off one another they may have been able to realize their ultimate goals. The AFL containing the skilled workers was the most powerful, the IWW took what the AFL did not want giving the unskilled worker a voice and the Socialist Party went in to politics, using political offices to gain power for the working class. Ultimately because of the different outlooks of these three groups the American labor movement, though it gained some ground, was a loss. Bibliography Works cited Cashman, Sean. America in the age of titans. New York university press, NY ,1988 Laurie, Bruce. Artisans into Workers university of illinois press, illinois 1997 Leuchtenberg, William. The Perils of Prosperity. The university of chicago press, london, 1958

Free College Admissions Essays: Im a Little Too Perfect! :: College Admissions Essays

I'm a Little Too Perfect! Â   I work tirelessly in many academic and leadership roles. I sleep no more than three hours a night because of my desire to expertly meet my many commitments. Throughout my life, I have worked as long and as hard as I possibly can to effect beneficial changes in both school and society. Â   During the summer of tenth grade, I took a number theory course at Johns Hopkins University with students from Alaska, California, and Bogota, Colombia. Similarly, during the summer following eleventh grade, I was one of ninety students from New Jersey selected to attend the Governor's School in the Sciences at Drew University. At Drew, I took courses in molecular orbital theory, special relativity, cognitive psychology, and I participated in an astrophysics research project. For my independent research project, I used a telescope to find the angular velocity of Pluto. With the angular velocity determined, I used Einstein's field equations and Kepler's laws to place an upper bound on the magnitude of the cosmological constant, which describes the curvature of space and the rate of the universe's expansion. Â   In addition to learning science, I recently lectured physics classes on special relativity at the request of my physics teacher. After lecturing one class for 45 minutes, one student bought many books on both general and special relativity to read during his study hall. Inspiring other students to search for knowledge kindles my own quest to understand the world and the people around me. Â   As president of the National Honor Society, I tutor students with difficulties in various subject areas. In addition, I am ranked number one in my class with an SAT score of 1580 and SATII scores of 750 in math, 760 in writing, and 800 in physics. In school, I take the hardest possible courses including every AP course offered at the high school. I am the leading member of the Math Team, the Academic Team, and the Model Congress Team. In the area of leadership, I have recently received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award from a local rotary club, have been asked to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and the Constitution in Washington D.C., and wrote the winning essay on patriotism for South Plainfield's VFW chapter. Currently enrolled in Spanish 6,I am a member of both the Spanish Club and the Spanish Honor Society.

The Influence of Rationalism on the French Revolution

Ben Jorgensen Professor Wakefield English 5 3 April 2013 The Influence of Rationalism on the French Revolution What was the driving force behind the French Revolution? Many people may say it was financial, or political, and while I would agree that these things were part of the force that propelled the French Revolution, I would assert that the philosophies of the Enlightenment were the dominant force that blasted late eighteenth century France into revolution .In his article, â€Å"The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies â€Å"Maurice Cranston of History Today articulates that the Enlightenment philosophies were pivotal in the revolutions inception. He writes that: â€Å"The philosophes undoubtedly provided the ideas. † Cranston goes on to write that: â€Å"†¦the unfolding of the Revolution, what was thought, what was said, and what was advocated, was expressed in terms and categories that came from political theorists of the Enlightenment. While many of the Enlig htenment concepts contributed to the revolution, I would propose that the philosophy of rationalism was foundational to the French Revolution because of its reliance on reason, and its opposition to superstition. Rationalism in its epistemology is defined by the Online Oxford Dictionary as: â€Å"A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response. The Online Encyclopedia Britannica adds: â€Å"Holding that reality itself has an inherently logical structure, the rationalist asserts that a class of truths exists that the intellect can grasp directly. † There are many types and expressions of rationalism, but the most influential expressions of rationalism pertaining to the French Revolution were in ethics and metaphysics. The first modern rationalist philosopher was Rene Descartes (1596-1650).The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states that: â€Å"Descartes is known as the father of mod ern philosophy precisely because he initiated the so-called epistemological turn that is with us still. † Descartes interest in philosophy stemmed from a fascination with the question of whether humans could know anything for certain. Descartes desired to create a philosophy that was as solid as say the concepts of algebra, or geometry, a philosophy based purely on quantifiable reason and logic.In this way, Rene Descartes laid the foundation for philosophies built on reason as opposed to superstition, chief among them: rationalism. While Rene Descartes defined the terms and laid down the agenda for the philosophy of rationalism, Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) and Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) completed the triad for the chief philosophers of rationalism. Spinoza and Leibniz took the terms and agenda of Descartes philosophy of rationalism, and developed their own views on rationalism, both publishing a number of books, and journals on their rationalist philosophies.Although these e arly modern philosophers of rationalism did not directly influence the French Revolution, it cannot be doubted that their general epistemological philosophy of rationalism helped create a new way of thinking in which man was not ordained by God to rule over other men, but that it was through reason of the mind that man chose to be ruler or subject. The French Revolution began between the years 1787 and 1789.It is no wonder that the revolution occurred at this time when the Enlightenment was in its prime, shining light onto the social and political issues of the day with new philosophies like rationalism that challenged the old feudalistic and monarchist regimes of Europe that were built on irrationality and superstition. William Doyle, in his book, â€Å"The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction,† conveys that the French Revolution was: â€Å"†¦triggered by King Louis XVI’s attempt to avoid bankruptcy. (19) However, while the trigger was financial, the soc ial and political rumblings of the Third estate is what shook, and toppled the old regime under Louis XVI, afterword which came to be called the ancien regime by the French people. Author William Doyle says that: â€Å"In political terms pre-revolutionary France was an absolute monarchy. The King shared his powers with nobody, and was answerable for its exercise to nobody but God. (21) The ancien regime government lacked reason, but was bursting with more than its fair share of divine laws and rights that the â€Å"creator† had set in place in order to insure social stability. In fact, as Doyle points out in his book, this concept that God had set forth a divine law to be followed was directly stated in a document that parliament wrote: â€Å"This social order is not only essential to the practice of every sound government: it has its origin in divine law. (24) The document goes on to say that: â€Å"The infinite and immutable wisdom in the plan of the universe established an unequal distribution of strength and character, necessarily resulting in inequality in the conditions of men within the civil order†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (24) This document summed up the ancien regimes ideology: God has placed the king the clergy, and aristocracy above the common people and that is how it is, because that is how it has been.The words irrational, divine, and superstitious come up many times when describing the ancien regimes government and society; in fact, these things were actually integral to the maintenance of government and society in France during the ancien regime. Indeed, you could not have this form of government without divine law, irrational organization, and superstitious beliefs. The rumblings of the French Revolution began as rates of literacy increased.With the rise in literacy, the French people demanded more newspapers, and books, and as much as the aristocracy and Church tried to filter what the public read, the French people began to read the writings of philosophers like, Leibniz, Spinoza, Descartes, Voltaire, and Montesquieu. With this increase in literacy, and thus knowledge, the French people became more involved in politics than they originally had been. Now Louis the XVI was scrutinized for his actions, for his mishandling of his citizens finances.Now the people of France came to expect their King to act for his people in observance of laws, as a representative of the people, instead of a man who had divine superiority over them. William Doyle writes that: â€Å" in the eighteenth century these expectations were reinforced by the widespread conviction that since nature had herself (as Isaac Newton had shown) worked by invariable laws and not divine caprice, human affairs should also be conducted so far as was possible according to fixed and regular principles, rooted in rationality, in which the scope of arbitrariness was reduced to a minimum. To have a government and society â€Å"Rooted in rationality† was what th e French revolutionaries so passionately fought to attain. In his book Europe in Retrospect, Raymond F. Betts writes that â€Å"It must be remembered that the French Revolution was the first major social revolution, of far greater dimensions and of deeper purpose than the American Revolution that had preceded it. Betts continues to explain in his book that the ideology of the French Revolution was unique for its time in what it sought to accomplish, and what it stood for: â€Å"To sweep away the old and begin the new was the liberal solution; it was predicated upon the assumption that human nature was essentially good, mankind essentially rational, and the purpose of life the ‘pursuit of earthly happiness. † The assumption that humankind was rational was a belief that the revolutionaries espoused, but I would also say that the French Revolution was built on a belief that government, society, and the individual were all capable of thriving on reason, in part on the phil osophy of rationalism. Although many events that took place during the French Revolution were controversial, and at times the actions taken by the revolutionaries were irrational, the French Revolution originated from a place of enlightenment.Indeed, more specifically, from the philosophies of the Enlightenment, and while many of the philosophies of the Enlightenment contributed to the inception of the French Revolution, the philosophy of rationalism contradicted so much of pre-r revolutionary French society that to subscribe to rationalism at that time was a revolution in itself. Steven Kreis of The History Guide. com summarizes the eventual results of the Revolution eloquently stating that: â€Å"Man had entered a stage in human history characterized by his emancipation from superstition, prejudice, cruelty and enthusiasm.Liberty had triumphed over tyranny. New institutions were created on the foundations of reason and justice and not authority or blind faith. The barriers to fre edom, liberty, equality and brotherhood were torn down. Man had been released from otherworldly torment and was now making history! † Works Cited Cranston, Maurice. â€Å"The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies. † History Today. History Today, 1989. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. Doyle, William. The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: New York, 2001. Print.Kreis, Steven. â€Å"Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution. † Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution. The History Guide. com, 30 Oct. 2006. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. Lennon, Thomas M. , and Shannon Dea. â€Å"Continental Rationalism. † The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Fall 2012 ed. N. d. Web. â€Å"Rationalism Definition. † Oxford Dictionaries Online (US). N. p. , n. d. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. â€Å"Rationalism†. Encyclop? dia Britannica. Encyclop? dia Britannica Online. Encyclop? dia Britannica Inc. , 2013. Web. 02 Apr. 2013