Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Life of Prophet Mohammad Essay

This paper will discuss the life of prophet Mohamed which will span from his birth to his calling and mission. The kind of persecution he faced from the time of his ordination or revelation to his time of manifestation when he conquered Mecca (makkah), his character in morals and his teachings. What influence he had in the growth of Islam as a religion. Introduction Prophet Mohammad was born in 570 CE in a place known as Mecca (makkah). His fathers name was Abdullah who died in a place known as Medinah weeks before Mohammad was born. His mother also died when he was six years old while travelling from Medinah in a place called Abwa. This forced Mohammad to be raised by his paternal grand father whose name was Abd al Muttalib for a period of around two years, after which his grandfather died. By this time he was aged eight years old, his uncle Abu Talib took care of him hence forth. His grandfathers mother (his great grand mother) who went by the name of Salma was a native of Medinah, she raised and brought up the grand father to Mohammad in Medinah before his uncle Muttalib decided to bring him to Mecca. The uncle to his grandfather had for years established himself as an Arab leader in Mekkah hence the need to groom Mohammad grandfather as a successor. He was a leader of the Arab people and had the role of taking care of the holy sanctuary ‘ka’bah, Mecca was a city that joined other big trading countries like Syria, Yemen and Egypt. Thus Mohammad can be said to come from an established family of leaders and traders. His lineage though can be traced from the descendants of prophet Ismail through his son second Kedar. (Armstrong 1992). Adult Life Under the guide of his uncle Abu Talib, Mohammad became a trader and earned his living from business activities by the time he was twelve years old he had started cruising the east for merchant caravan trips with his uncle, Mohammad acquired a good reputation known of his good character and trust worthiness in his business. (Ali 1997). Through his good reputation he was able to get the attention of a rich merchant widow by the name of Khadijah, who contracted him to transport her consignment to Syria. At the age of twenty five Mohammad got married to Khadijah, khadijah was older by fifteen years and had been widowed twice. Through their marriage they were able to get six children, four daughters and two sons. Unfortunately his son Qasim died at the age of two years his nick name was Abul Qasim whose meaning is the father of Qasim, his second son died in infancy he was named Abdullah his nick name was Tayyab this was because he was born after Mohammad’s prophet hood. His four daughters were named as Zainab, Raqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah. By the time Mohammad received his revelation of becoming a prophet the holy shrines at ka’bah the holy sanctuary was filled with a hundred and sixty idols, the ultimate message from prophet Ibrahim was corrupt and lost this was done through beliefs in superstations’ and traditions of pilgrims from distant lands. Although this did not affect ardent followers of prophet Ibrahim’s and Ismail’s teaching whom through each generation they segregated themselves in the hills in pursuance of their true religion. (Ali 1997). The Revelation Mohammad was one of them and at the age of forty during his many retreats to segregated place of worship at Mount Hira during the Ramadan period he received his first revelation from angel Jibril (Gabriel). He was instructed to read by the angel but since he had no formal education background he replied and said he couldn’t read this prompted angel Jibril to embrace him and after releasing him Mohammad still couldn’t read. This process of embracing was repeated thrice after which the angel commanded him through Allah’s might to recite through the name of the lord who created man from that which clings, the lord who taught man what he knew not. After this experience Mohammad was petrified and fled from the mountains. When he reached home he asked his wife to cover him from the world using a blanket, this was due to fear. According to the Quran this revelations started in the year 610 CE they are found in Surah in the first five verses. (Armstrong 1992). After awhile Mohammad became abated and was able to discuss his cause of being frightened to his wife Khadijah, she counseled him by telling him not to be afraid because he was a kind man to his relatives, orphans, he was truthful, thus Allah would not leave him, and he would stand by him. His wife khadijah, then sought the wisdom of her cousin Waraqa who was old and wise having ability to translate the holy scriptures and revelations. Waraqa confirmed that Mohammad was the expected prophet as according to the scriptures and he ascertained that the angel who had visited Mohammad was the same one who had visited Moses that is angel Jibril. Khadijah his wife was the first person to accept Islam thus she became the supporting pillar to Mohammad his husband and prophet, this she did earnestly especially during the three year period that the prophets clan of pagan Quarish boycotted the religion. Unfortunately khadijah died at an advanced age of sixty five during the period of Ramadan soon after the boycott was lifted in the year 620 CE. (Ali 1997). Angel Jibril continued to visit Mohamed revealing the will of Allah; this was done through signs which are referred as verses. These revelations came inform of verses at times as chapters and at times they came as nonbelievers questioned him on his beliefs. These revelations were then recorded on available materials the believers were then asked to recite and memorize the teachings. The recording and arrangement of verses took a period of twenty three years. Although the holy book is not recorded in the words of the prophet since they come from the first persona who is Allah. Angel Gabriel guided him and taught him strategies on how to go about the completion of the prophetic mission. Prophets Mohammad own sentiments are recorded separately in a collection known as the Hadith. His Mission His main mission as a prophet was that of restoration, of worship of one true God Allah, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe, he mandated his teachings to be continuation of other prophets such as Moses, he was also delegated the responsibility of ensuring the human race practiced good ethics, morals, legal and social conduct according to gods will. Other ardent followers to his teachings were his cousins Ali, his servant Zayd Ibn Harinth his friend Abu Bakr and his wife and daughters. They accepted Islam by testifying tat there is no deity except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. (Armstrong 1992). In the first three years of his mission he was able to convert forty people into professing Islam this was no easy task as he was being tortured by the Quarish people in mekkah, his uncle Abu Lahab and his wife were among those people who resisted him and many Quarish leaders advised his uncle to stop his nephew from his mission by offering him kingship but Mohammad was not perturbed. This made the Quarish to start persecuting Muslims by beating and torturing them, this was done through boycotts targeting their businesses; those who were either weak or poor were tortured publically with no mercy. The prophet was publically denounced and humiliated this was done through at times being hauled with filth while he was praying in the streets. All that kept the Muslims and the prophet vigilant was patience which they practiced without the thought of retaliation to their persecutors. Though this persecution persisted and all that Mohammad could do is advice the Muslims to flee to Abyssinia modern day Ethiopia in Africa. The Quarish didn’t take this move very nicely thus they persuade them to Ethiopia but the host gave the Muslims a protective arm after realizing that they prophesized on Jesus and Mary him being a Christian he embraced them. After the death of khadijah Mohamed then married two other wives Sawdeh who was a widow and Aisha the daughter of his friend Abu Bakr. They lived in Medinah. In 622 CE the Quarish leaders developed a ploy to kill the prophet, but their plan was foiled by angel Jibril visiting prophet Mohamed and instructed him to leave mekkah immediately, Abu Bakr accompanied him during this escapade. They went south of mekkah to the caves he later sought refuge in Quba on the suburbs of Medinah. His head was offered at the price of hundred camels dead or alive by the Quarish leaders. Though all was not well because they fought many wars with non-believers at Medinah, during this wars many women became widows thus the prophet opted to marry several other women in his sixtieth and seventieth year of his life. After this a revelation was made on the number of wives one was to marry, this was defined though he didn’t divorce any of his wives being that all of them were either widows or divorcees accept Aisha. During the year 629 CE Mohammad went to pilgrimage in mekkah though he faced some difficulties with the Quarish leaders, they later agreed through an agreement, this was violated again by the same Quarish leaders who attacked allies of the prophet this prompted the prophet to help. (Armstrong 1992). Return to Mecca Prophet Mohammed marched gloriously into mekkah with an army of three thousand Muslims plus ten thousand others that joined him on the way; they conquered the holy city and lived there. All the idols at ka’bah were destroyed and once again it was cleansed from ungodliness brought by foreigners. Though the Mekkans expected that they would face wrath from the prophet, but he pardoned them. The whole of Arabia then accepted Islam, soon after his wife Mariah bore him a son and he was named Ibrahim he died after ten months. Thus his children on earth came to be numbered seven in total. His death brought an eclipse of the sun and the prophet symbolized this by saying that the sun and the moon are signs of God. Last Days The last pilgrimage performed by the prophet was done in 632 CE; it’s during this pilgrimage that, he received his last revelation from angel Jibril. After two months the prophet died on a Monday June the eighth, in the year 632CE, he was buried at the same place where he died, in Medina. (Armstrong 1992). Conclusion Prophet Mohamed lived a simple and fulfilled life, his worldly possession included mats, blankets, jugs and other simple possessions. He spent most of his time praying and in meditation, his family used to fore go meals they relayed on dried bread and dates with water. He left nothing to be inherited except a white mule, a piece of land and a few ammunitions. His last words were that the communities of prophets are not to be inherited but whatever they live behind should be used for charity. Leadership is all about becoming a servant first Mohammad was a servant to his people he was persecuted and tortured for religion sake. He practiced Patience and seeked no retaliation only waiting on Allah to act; his generosity to the afflicted is beyond reproach this is seen at the way he extends his kindness to widows and orphans. At the end of his mission as a prophet he was endowed with followers who are all over the world despite the early persecutions he had first as he was ordained. All his persecutors then bowed unto his rule and followed his teachings. All who follow his teachings are called the Muslims and are said to practice Islam they worship at the mosque while they read and practice the Holy Scriptures from the holy book called the Quran. All Muslims try to emulate his teachings his way of life when it comes to honesty and trust worthiness not to mention his kindness. Up to this date the Muslim fraternity make the honor of going to Mecca at least once in a lifetime they regard it as the holy city were they receive blessings and pardon. Though his life was marred with tribulations he succeeded in doing Gods will, that is giving his people a continuation with their religion that was destroyed by foreigners’ who had idolatrized it. Summary of Prophet Mohammad’s life Prophet Mohammad was an orphan who was raised by his paternal uncle. He grew to become a merchant in the trade caravans in the great Syria, Yemen and Mecca. He married at the age of twenty five to a rich merchant widow by the name of khadijah. They had two sons who died when still young and four daughters who survived to adult hood. At the age of forty he was visited by angel Jibril, though in doubt he finally accepted the ordination of prophet hood. He faced numerous persecutions as he went through his missions to the extent of sending his followers to Ethiopia. His own family members (his uncle and aunt) disowned him. He wrote the Quran through revelations made to him by angel Jibril. Later on he conquered the Quarish leadership and ruled Mecca. Before his death he bore another son by the name of Ibrahim though he died after ten months. Prophet Mohamed married three wives, but because of the afflictions that widows went through after wars he extended his kindness and married them. He was a kind man, trustworthy, and simple (humble). References Armstrong K. (1992). Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet. Harper Collins Publishers Ali M. M. (1997). The Biography: of the Prophet and the Orientalists. King Fahd Complex Brown . D. (2003): A New Introduction to Islam. Blackwell Publishing

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Negative Effects Of Fdi In Host Countries Economics Essay

In last decennaries the importance of Foreign Direct Investments ( FDI ) has increased significantly due to globalisation procedure, which offers immense chances for largely developing states to make faster economic growing through trade and investing. FDI assists foreign investors in using their assets and resources more expeditiously every bit good as host states in acquisition of better engineerings and acquiring involved in international production and trade webs ( Athukorala, 2003 ) . Developing states have started to see FDI as a beginning of economic development and modernization, income growing and employment. These states have liberalised their investing governments and followed other policies to pull more FDI. They have attempted to happen the ways of prosecuting those domestic policies that will let them to drive maximal benefits from transnational endeavor presence in the domestic economic system ( OECD, 2002 ) . The purpose of this survey is to analyse the impact of FDI on the economic system of host states. The first portion of the work will be addressed to the relationship between foreign investings and the economic growing of the host states. The survey will reply the inquiry why some states benefit from FDI more than other states, and what these authoritiess should recognize in order to maximise their benefits from the presence of foreign houses. The undermentioned parts will be devoted to more certain issues, such as positive and negative effects of FDI in the host states. Since there is a wide literature on the positive impacts of foreign investings, the chief focal point in this work is emphasized on the negative impacts. The survey shows that although MNEs bring many benefits to host states and the authoritiess are seeking to pull more and more investings, the negative effects of FDI in the economic system of host states should non be neglected. Any indifference to these issues may ensue in negative spillover effects, balance of payment shortages, double economic system, pollution and etc. Brief information about the negative impacts of FDI, particularly, Dutch Disease effects, on the economic system of Azerbaijan is besides given at the terminal of the survey in order to convey a practical illustration. This portion is besides provided with charts for more ocular description of the effects.FDI and Economic GrowthGlobal economic events of past decennaries driven by technological advancements, regional integrating and realignment of economic policies and systems have changed the perceptual experience of host state authoritiess of how FDI can lend to their economic and societal intents. They became more interested in the function of FDI in their states to understand its benefits and costs, and to uncover what should be done by national disposals to see that benefits of FDI influxs to their economic and societal demands will be maximized ( Dunning, 1995 ) .Theory on FDI and growing relationshipIn theory there are contradictory positions about the growing effects of FDI. T he chief principle behind the particular inducements to pull FDI is the belief that they produce outwardnesss in the signifier of engineering transportations and spillovers ( Carkovic and Levine, 2002 ) . Romer ( 1993 ) argues that FDI can ease the transportation of technological and concern know-how to less developed states and heighten the productiveness of all houses in the host state. However, some theories province that foreign investings will damage resource allotment and decelerate the economic growing due to merchandise, monetary value, fiscal and other deformations in less developed states ( Boyd and Smith, 1992 ) . Despite these contradictory theories, some theoretical accounts suggest that FDI will advance the economic development under peculiar policy conditions ( Carkovic and Levine, 2002 ) .Factors of FDI influenceThe extent to which the foreign investing can lend to the economic growing depends on a assortment of factors. One of them is the host state features, called â€Å" absorbent capacity † , – a capableness of the host economic system to profit from technological spillovers from the more industrialised states and the ability to roll up and best utilize engineering and cognition ( Narula and Portelli, 2005 ) . The chief determiner of the â€Å" absorbent capacity † is the quality of establishments, peculiarly, the regulation of jurisprudence and the belongings rights protection. Trade openness, which is a step of the competition degree in the local state, besides positively influences the degree of FDI part to growing. States with more unfastened trade policy have less market deformations, high degree of efficiency and competition which enhance the spillover effects of FDI ( Balasubramanyam et al. , 1996 ) . A trial between FDI and end product growing in 24 states in 1971-1985 old ages conducted by Nair-Reichert and Weinhold ( 2001 ) besides reveals that the grade of state ‘s trade openness had a immense impact on the efficiency of FDI in the host state. The degree of technological edification and human capital stock in the host state is besides one of the chief factors of FDI impact on growing. It has been found that FDI raised the growing in those states that reached a minimal threshold degree of technological edification or the stock of human capital ( Borensztein et al. , 1998 ; Xu, 2000 ) The engineering spread between MNE and domestic houses in the host states is the chief property for the outgrowth of engineering spillovers. A high engineering spread along with a low competition reduces the spillover effects to the host state ( Kokko et al, 1996 ) . Other determiners include economic power, industry, type of FDI, and regional integrating, industry specialisation, market size, R & A ; D, geographical location, FDI policy of host state and etc ( OECD, 2002 ) .Maximization of FDI benefitsIn order to harvest the benefits of FDI authoritiess of host states need to implement some policies, such as betterments of the general macroeconomic and institutional models ; creative activity of a regulative environment that is contributing to FDI influxs ; and upgrading of substructure, engineering and human competencies to the degree where the full possible benefits of foreign corporate presence can be gained ( OECD, 2002 ) . International co-operation might help and reenforce the investment-related attempts of host states since the policy actions recommended above can non easy be pursued by authoritiess – particularly by hapless states – moving entirely ( OECD, 2002 ) . Foreign investors play a important function in engendering economic growing and lending to accomplishment of sustainable development ends. Consequently, the manner MNEs behave and are ruled is of import in maximization of the FDI benefits for economic development. Foreign affiliates must heighten engineering transportation, better human capital direction patterns, and supply transparence and competition. They should besides forbear from seeking freedoms from national environmental, labour and wellness criterions ( OECD, 2002 ) .Positive effects of FDITrade effectsFDI influences economic growing by increasing entire factor productiveness and the efficiency of resource usage in the host state. It increases the capital stock of the host state and therefore raises the end product degrees. The chief trade-related benefit of FDI is that it contributes to the integrating of host states into the planetary economic system by breeding and hiking foreign trade flows every bit good as the consti tution of multinational distribution webs. This, in bend, implies that host states will prosecute a policy of openness to international trade to profit from FDI ( OECD, 2002 ) .Human capital partFDI ‘s part to human capital in host states is important. MNEs addition workplaces, thereby cut down the unemployment in the host state. They normally provide higher rewards and working conditions due to their higher productiveness which is explained by greater technological know-how and modern direction accomplishments that enables them to vie efficaciously in foreign markets. The transportation of technological and managerial know-how through affiliates besides gives rise to direct benefits and increases fight in host states. For illustration, domestic employees can travel from foreign to domestic houses. Local houses might increase their productiveness through larning from foreign houses by coaction. ( OECD, 2008 ) . The presence of MNEs may besides do a utile presentation consequen ce, coercing the authorities to put in instruction more, as the demand for skilled labor by these houses is really high ( OECD, 2002 ) .Spillover effectsMNE ‘s normally possess a higher degree of engineering, particularly â€Å" clean † , which is the chief factor of their higher productiveness. One of the positive effects of FDI is that it generates important technological spillovers in the host states. MNE ‘s normally provide proficient aid, preparation and other information to increase the quality of the providers ‘ merchandises ( OECD, 2002 ) . Local houses might increase their productiveness as a consequence of deriving entree to modern, improved, or cheaper intermediate inputs produced by MNE in upstream sectors. Gross saless of these inputs by MNE might be accompanies by proviso of complementary services which might non be available through imports ( Javorcik, 2004 ) . Local sub-contractors can besides profit from MNE ‘s international contacts, therefore deriving more entree to foreign markets. FDI can besides increase research and development enterprises of local companies ( Tormenting, 1995 ) .Competition degreeFDI exerts a important influence on the competition degree in the host state. The presence of MNEs assists the economic development by exciting the domestic competition and thereby taking to higher productiveness, invention, lower monetary values and more efficient resource allotment ( OECD, 2002 ) .Management and administration practisesFDI through acquisition of local houses result in the alterations in direction and corporate administration. MNEs by and large impose their ain company policies, internal coverage systems and rules of information revelation. This consequence improves the concern environment and develops the corporate efficiency. Furthermore, different instances show that foreign investings besides create a more crystalline environment in the host state as MNEs encourage more unfastened authorities policy, raise corporate transparence and aid in the battle against corruptness. ( OECD, 2002 ) . Since foreign investings supply needful resources to developing states such as capital, engineering, managerial accomplishments, entrepreneurial ability, trade names, and entree to markets, they are of import for these economic systems to industrialise, develop, and make occupations cut downing the poorness degree in their states. Therefore, most developing economic systems recognize the possible value of investings and have liberalized their investing governments and conducted investing publicity activities to pull FDI from developed states ( Athukorala, 2003 ) .Negative effects of FDIHerding out consequence of FDIFDI can hold both herding in and herding out effects in host state economic system. The chief negative consequence of herding out consequence is the monopoly power over the market gained by MNEs. Empirical grounds in that respect is assorted. Econometric trial by Agosin and Mayer ( 2000 ) covering 39 states for a long period ( 1970-1996 ) demonstrated that herding out and herding in was detected in 10 economic systems, but in 19 the consequence was impersonal. Herding out consequence did non be in Asia, but it was rather obvious in Latin America. Another survey of 83 economic systems over the period of 1980-1999 found no impact of FDI on host state for 31, herding out for 29 and herding in for 23 states ( Kumar and Pradhan, 2002 ) . This diverseness might be due to the fact that assorted economic systems attract different types of FDI. Countries that pull largely domestic market-seeking investings will see herding out as the constitution of foreign subordinates consequences in tough competition with domestic houses. But for export-oriented investing, it might be less so ( Bhalla and Ramu, 2005 ) . MNE with lower marginal costs increases production relation to its domestic rival, when amiss competitory houses of the host state face fixed costs of production. In this environment, foreign houses that produce for the domestic market draw demand from local houses, doing them to cut down the production. The productiveness of local houses falls as their fixed costs are spread over a smaller market which forces them to endorse up their mean cost curves. When the productiveness lessening from this demand consequence is big plenty, entire domestic productiveness can decrease even if the MNE transportations engineering or its firm-specific plus to local houses ( Aitken and Harrison, 1999 ) . In general, herding out might take topographic point due to two grounds: 1 ) when domestic houses disappear because of higher efficiency and better merchandise quality of foreign subordinates, and 2 ) when they are wiped out because these foreign affiliates have better entree to fiscal resources and/or engage in anticompetitive patterns. In the first instance, the net impact on public assistance is positive as houses with higher efficiency and better merchandise quality contribute to the economic development of the host state. But in the 2nd instance, there is welfare loss and authoritiess intervene through different channels in order to assist the local houses. For illustration, they might set up or subsidise funding for domestic little and average houses ( Bhalla and Ramu, 2005 ) .Negative pay spilloversWage spillovers of the FDI are considered to be largely positive as workers of MNEs can go forth their workplace and go enterprisers in hereafter, which will increase the fight of d omestic houses. However, it might do negative effects every bit good, particularly, if MNEs hire the best workers due to their high rewards and thereby go forth lower-quality workers at the domestic houses ( Lipsey and Sjoholm, 2004 ) . In response to that domestic houses can increase or copy MNEs ‘ rewards unnaturally to forestall their high-quality employees from altering the workplace in favor of foreign houses. But this action can take to competitiveness lessening of them as MNEs have productiveness advantages over the domestic houses. Gorg and Greenaway ( 2001 ) reviewed six surveies on pay spillovers and reported that three panel surveies of those surveies found negative spillovers, while two cross-sections studied showed positive 1s. One possible ground of the negative consequences in some underdeveloped states is that the spread between MNE and domestic houses is really big for one party to act upon another. Furthermore, the labor markets in some underdeveloped economic systems are excessively segmented for rewards in one party to act upon another ( Lipsey and Sjoholm, 2004 ) .Net income repatriationWhen MNEs make investings in foreign states their chief aim is to maximise their net income. Some advantageous features of these states, such as inexpensive labor force, natural resource copiousness or high quality expertness, let MNEs to heighten their economic public presentation. MNEs on a regular basis repatriate their net incomes from investing to the history of their parent companies in the signifier of divide nds or royalties transferred to stockholders every bit good as the simple transportation of accumulated net incomes. It besides helps them avoid larger revenue enhancements by utilizing transportation monetary values. However, this net income repatriation consequences in immense capital escapes from the host state to the place state and negatively affects the balance of payment of the former. Thus the host states frequently set bounds on the sum of net incomes that MNEs can repatriate in order non to hold balance of payment shortages or reduced foreign exchange militias. Such policy can bring on these MNEs to put net incomes in different undertakings within the host state ( Billet, 1991 ) . But there is besides a possibility that such restrictions might deter MNEs from puting in these states, which will travel FDI to the states with less net income repatriation restrictions. For illustration, a study of main executive officers from 193 American MNEs revealed that about 70 % of them viewed net income repatriation as a chief factor positively actuating the FDI behavior of them ( Kobrin et al ) . One of the biggest FDI receiving systems in the universe, India, permits 100 % net income repatriation for foreign investors in most sectors ( NRI Repatriation ) .Double economic system consequenceFDI, particularly, made in the underdeveloped states can take them to hold a double economic system, which has one developed sector largely owned by foreign houses and developing sector owned by domestic houses. Since the state ‘s economic system becomes excessively dependent on the developed sector, its economic construction alterations. Often this developed sector is the capital- intensive, while another one is labor-intensive. Therefore, double economic system consequence hampers the economic development of states as most of their citizens are located in the non-developed labor-intensive sector. This consequence is seeable in most oil-rich states, where foreign investings made in the oil and gas sector resulted in the resource roar and left the agribusiness and fabrication sectors underdeveloped. That negative consequence of FDI can take to Dutch Disease consequence in natural resource copiousness states. Dutch Disease theoretical account postulates that a resource roar, largely after the immense investings in the sector, diverts state ‘s resources off from activities that are more contributing to growing in long tally. First symptom of this phenomenon is an grasp of the state ‘s exchange rate caused by resource roar, which in bend causes a contraction in the fabrication exports ( Bulte et al, 2003 ) . The flourishing resource sector draws capital and labours off from fabrication, taking its costs to lift ( Neary and new wave Wijnbergen, 1986 ) . The consequence is that the fight of state ‘s non-tradable trade goods rise, while that of tradable – fabrication trade goods falls in the universe markets, cut downing the possible for export-led growing of industries in the long tally. Since fabrication sector is regarded as the chief â€Å" engine of growing † , its diminution causes accordingly a growing diminution in state ‘s economic system in the l ong tally ( Sachs and Warner, 1999 ) . One possible solution to the job is a variegation of the economic system by puting in different sectors.Balance of payment consequenceEmpirical surveies reveal that a bidirectional relationship exists between foreign investings and imports. An addition in FDI influxs from the place state will ensue in an addition in imports in the host state from the place state. It can be due the fact that the MNE purchases inputs from its traditional providers or increased rising prices rate speeded up by foreign capitals in the place state. As more investing flows in, the host state economic system becomes more and more dependent on the production engineering of MNE ‘s place state. The host state will hold to import more inputs and intermediate goods from the MNE ‘s place state, which might restrain the development in the domestic industry. If these investings are non export-oriented, the host state can endure from trade shortages ( Chaisrisawats uk S. and Chaisrisawatsuk W, 2007 ) .Infrastructure development restraintFDI constrains basic substructure development by deviating resources from public investing in substructure. Since FDI is attracted largely to wealthy parts of the host state, the substructure in these parts will necessitate a greater attempt to be improved, particularly striping the poorer parts and the rural parts ( Yamin and Sinkovics, 2009 ) .Environmental issuesA big volume of FDI is concentrated in natural resource sectors of developing and less developed states. Most of these states have a less rigorous or non-existent regulative government. Sometimes states intentionally attempt to relieve or loosen their regulative demands to pull FDI. However, while these states can profit from positive effects of investing, the negative effects of FDI on host state ‘s ecosystems and environment might convey catastrophe in the long tally ( Gray, 2002 ) . The solution to these jobs is to raise host state capacity to modulate and build international environmental criterions. NGO ‘s and other civil society groups from place and host states can besides play a important function in the betterment of authorities ordinances and addition of MNE ‘s duty on environmental issues ( Mabey and McNally, 1998 ) .Other possible negative impactsFDI can do political, societal and cultural agitation and divisiveness in the host states by debut of unaccepChart values, which include advertisement, concern imposts, labour patterns and etc, and by direct intervention of the MNEs in the political government or electoral procedure in the host state ( Dunning, 1995 ) . For illustration, some least developed states with the economic system excessively dependent on powerful transnational endeavors are threatened of fring political sovereignty ( OECD, 2002 ) .Case Study: Dutch Disease effects in AzerbaijanAzerbaijan had had a reasonably developing eco nomic system with a consistent one-year GDP growing above 10 % until 2005. However, after a big sum of FDI ‘s in energy sector, the economic state of affairs critically changed and grew significantly in 2005-2009 old ages due ( Chart 1. GDP of Azerbaijan. Chart 2. GDP growing ) . Its oil and gas grosss fuelled the economic system and promoted a rapid rise in life criterions. But despite this prosperity, some negative impacts of huge foreign investings, particularly, Dutch Disease effects, became seeable over clip. Large capital influxs and grosss shortly demonstrated its impact on high rising prices degree ( Chart 3. Inflation rate ) and the national currency of Azerbaijan – AZN has appreciated against USD Dollar and Pound Sterling, while its value against Euro has been volatile during 2006-2010 old ages ( Chart 4. Currency Exchange ) . As exports increased, the state started to run balance of payment excess ( Chart 5. Balance of Payment ) . The fight of non-tradable trade goods have risen during this period in Azerbaijan. Particularly, oil roar fuelled banking sector, existent estate and building. However, the growing rate of tradable sectors of Azerbaijan was small ( Traveling Dutch ) . Main non-oil exports of the state agribusiness and metals sector have non seen a important growing, intending state ‘s fight is non turning. In fact the state became dependent on oil sector, as it accounts for 90 % of exports and 60 % of GDP part ( Chart 6. GDP composing by sector ) . Current prognosiss predict that the oil roar of Azerbaijan will be comparatively ephemeral and oil production will get down to diminish in 2012, which will hold a prodigious negative impact on the economic system ( Going Dutch ) . Dutch Disease effects have a important impact on the poorness rate of the state. Although life criterions have mostly improved, a high degree of poorness persists, particularly, in rural countries. About 42 % of the rural population live below the poorness line, and 13 % of hapless people live in utmost poorness ( Rural poorness in Azerbaijan ) . Despite the big GDP part of industry sector, chiefly oil and gas sector, laborforce represented by this sector is the least – by 12 % . However, agribusiness with the biggest laborforce business histories for 6 % in GDP part ( Chart 7. Laborforce business by sector. ) . This implies that chief laborforce of the state is located in less competitory and less efficient sector, and the economic system must be diversified and fight of fabrication merchandises, owned by domestic houses, must be increased to minimise the high degree of poorness.DecisionAlthough there are contradictory ideas about the impact of FDI on the economic growing, it is loosely believed that investings positively contribute to the economic development of host states. However, states do non profit from the investings at the same degree. Foreign investings are non advantageous or disadvantageous by themselves. Their part depends on the policy and behavior of host state authoritiess and MNEs. The same foreign investing may convey tonss of benefits to one state, while it might be rather harmful for the other. Therefore, it does non intend that if you get more FDI, your economic system will hike. For illustration, Azerbaijan ‘s economic system grew significantly due to foreign investings, but if the authorities does non diversify the economic system and take steps against the negative effects of FDI, its economic system will be worsened in long term. The rising prices is increasing, non-oil sector is barely turning, and the economic system is going more and more dependent on the oil and gas sector, owned largely by foreign houses. The survey implies that an appropriate policy and bit by bit improved â€Å" absorbent capacity † of authoritiess will minimise the negative effects of FDI and let these economic systems to harvest the benefits of investings at the upper limit.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Business ethics - Essay Example ctive of the business ethics is to whether the practice of supporting the failing financial institutions through the tax money is morally correct given the fact that financial institutions failed to perform their duties. After the financial crisis of 2008, US and other governments from the developed nations bailed-out their financial institutions by pouring in the public money. This issue created significant moral debate regarding the role of the financial institutions and the government in having allowed the bailing out of the financial institutions. Most of the arguments were based upon the notion that public money should not be spent on those who behaved irresponsibly and are the very cause of the crisis itself. The role of the financial managers in managing the money and engaging into business practices which were risky and speculative was also being deplored. This business ethics issue will therefore be explored from the perspective of the utilitarianism as well as deontology. Both these philosophical theories will be discussed first and applied to this issue in greater details. Deontological ethics are based upon the moral evaluation of the actions based upon whether the actions actually followed or adhered to any rules or not. It is also because of this reason that the deontology is often considered as rule based ethics as it stresses upon the adherence to the rules if any action is to be considered as ethical or not. There are however, different theories of deontology which outline as to how to actually treat an issue from certain perspectives. Kantian ethics of deontology suggests that the morally right way of doing things is as to whether the individuals actually performed from the perspective of the duty or not. Kant also suggests that the morality of actions shall be based upon the motives of the individuals rather than the overall consequences of taking such actions. (Shaw) Utilitarianism however, is an alternative philosophical theory which

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Quality Assurance Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quality Assurance Plan - Essay Example It does not guarantee success every time, but the prospects are much higher with a QA project plan than without one" (Guidance for quality assurance project plans http://209.85.175.104/search'q=cache:QQE3iLkA01QJ:www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g5-final.pdf+Quality+Assurance+Plan&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1) The quality assurance plan will not guarantee the success since success of a product depend on other aspects as well. For example without proper advertisement even a quality product may not be succeeded in the market since its quality details may not reach all the people. going to do, to ensure the quality of your solution. Quality Planning is a critical part of any project. It enables the company to agree a set of quality targets with their customers. It then helps the company to monitor and control the level of quality produced by the project, to ensure that the company meets the quality targets set. By using this quality plan template, the company can set quality targets and ensure that their project produces deliverables which meet customer's needs, thereby ensuring the company's success A Quality Plan helps you schedule all of the tasks needed to make sure that your project meets the needs of your customer. It comprises two parts; the Quality Assurance Plan lists the independent reviews needed and the Quality Control Plan lists the internal reviews needed to meet your quality targets. By using Quality Assurance and Quality Control techniques, you can create a comprehensive Quality Management Plan for your project.QA plan should be developed either along the project planning or immediately after that. But it should be completed before the project is started. Appoint a professional team, planning of the things to be done to promote the product, Outline the QA plan based on the studies, Get the approval for the plan from the top management, and start the work based on the approved plan. QA assurance plan should have enough information to describe project objectives and details. For developing a QA plan following things should be kept in mind. Identifying the customer' s requirements, Listing the project deliverables to be produced, Setting quality criteria for these deliverables, Defining quality standards for the deliverables, Gaining your customers agreement with the targets set, Identifying the quality control tasks needed to control quality, Listing the quality assurance activities required to assure quality. Ensure that the information is accurate and complete. Ensure that all appropriate elements are being addressed. Ensure that the plan identifies the project's Quality Assurance Plan 3 technical and quality objectives, and that the intended measurement and data acquisition methods will satisfy these objectives. Confirm that the planned assessment procedure will be adequate to evaluate the project and confirm that there is a process to identify any limitations on the use of the data. The organization performing the work is responsible for ensuring

Saturday, July 27, 2019

CARE international Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CARE international - Research Paper Example The agency also advocated at the local, state and global level for changes in policy as well as the freedoms of the people affected by poverty2. In all of these areas, CARE mainly deals with the empowerment and fulfilment of the prerequisites of women and girls as well as the promotion of gender equality. CARE International is a confederacy of thirteen National members as well as one affiliate member all of which are registered independently as non-profit NGO’s in the respective countries. CARE programs in developing countries are overseen by a country office even though the agency also supports projects and responds to emergencies in a number of countries where there is no full country office. According to its vision, CARE seeks a world that is filled with hope, tolerance as well as social justice that has been able to overcome poverty so that the people can live in a dignified and secure way. It seeks to be the partner of choice as far as the fight to end poverty in the worl d is concerned and wants to be recognised for its unshakeable pledge to the self-worth of the population. On the other hand, CARE has a mission of serving individuals and families in the communities that are hardest hit by poverty all over the globe. It draws strength from its worldwide diversity, resources as well as experience so that it can be able to promote solutions that that are innovative while advocating for responsibility at the global level.

Project charter,WBS,Scope changes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Project charter,WBS,Scope changes - Assignment Example Firstly, in order to cut down on expenses, renewable energy will not require reinvesting in after the initial installation or investment. In this case, the project does not consider making of renewable sources of energy, but rather providing identified industries with consultancy and recommendation on the type and amount to invest in in order to cut down on energy costs while at the same time promoting an environment free from industrial contaminants such as CO2. The opportunity lying under this project is that industries such as manufacturing, mining, and agriculture can use various alternative energy sources for both large and small scale production. However, while providing the environment analysis of the identified industries, the consultation service will be backed by industry analysis and the role played by specific industries in promoting global warming and other energy-associated environment challenges. With a business environment that promotes corporate social responsibility, this project will provide solutions to contemporary problems that nurture environment activists hindering the productivity of some industries. To reduce customer resistance to modern products produced unethically based on their effect on the environment, this project will provide the corporate environment with a bargaining advantage on consumer products manufactured or processed using safer energy alternatives (e.g Wave Oscillation). The approximate budget for the project initiation to completion is $10,000 covering equipment of use (computer system and statistical software), transport in the conduction of onsite analysis, proposal drafting and communication to identified industries. The approximate period is 5 weeks. Each week considered one industry and the time is used applied in primary research of the industry’s effect on social order while identifying two companies within. The

Friday, July 26, 2019

Contemporary Business Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Concept of Money and Its Creation - Essay Example This paper illustrates that for many centuries since the invention of money as an alternative medium of exchange from the old system that used barter trade, the medium has revolutionalized financial systems. Without the invention of money, one would wonder whether we would have the current financial institutions. The use of money eased the process of making payment and purchasing of items. The process of creating money is often a misunderstood phenomenon. Although many studies show that there are two main institutions tasked with the process of money creation, the process involved in creating money without the manual paper consideration is elusive. The two main institutions involved in the creation of money are the financial banks and the government.It is estimated that about 97% of the money created originates from the banks while only 3% comes from the governments. Using the United States as a case study in describing and assessing the effects and effectiveness of qualitative easin g would provide a platform on how to stabilize economic growth. The narrow form of money is the most common medium of exchange. It is the form of money in circulation within any economy. It consists of coins and notes as well as sight deposit. The site deposits belong to accounts whose owners can make withdrawals without attracting penalties. The narrow form of money is corroborative indicators for the spending regimes. In fact, the form of money used in carrying out most of the day-to-day transactions of services and goods are the narrow form of money. Therefore, narrow money is the main form of exchange involving the monetary value. The zero maturity money is the sum of coins and notes on hold by the private sectors (the non-bakers). For instance, employers pay their employees either by cash or cheque. Besides, these companies used the same form of money to pay and offset their expenditures. Unlike the broad form of money, the narrow form of money gives a clear outlook on the asse ts employed as the medium of exchange.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Theory of planned behavior Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theory of planned behavior - Literature review Example The theory of planned behavior focuses on the intention of a person to perform a particular behavior and relates it to the likelihood of the behavior actually being exhibited. This is similar to the original theory of reasoned action. While gauging intention, the model does not simply deal with a binary set of choices (yes or no). Instead, it measures the motivational factors behind the behavior such as how hard one would be willing to try and how much effort they would be willing to put in to perform the behavior. However, it is important to remember that the intention to perform the behavior can only influence the actual performance if the person has volitional control over the behavior i.e. they can decide to perform or not perform the behavior at will. (Ajzen 1991) Another factor that significantly influences the chances of the behavior being expressed is the person’s actual control over the behavior. This refers to the resources at their disposal and the availability of o pportunities requisite for them to perform the behavior (eg: time, money, energy, cooperation, intelligence etc.). For example, a child could intend to participate in the 100 yard race at his school’s annual sports event. He may be willing to try his hardest, run as fast as he can and train as hard as possible. However, if he suffers an injury a day before the event, he would not have the resources necessary (in this case physical fitness) to exhibit the behavior. Therefore, as long as the person has the intention and the actual control necessary to perform the behavior, there is a high likelihood of the behavior being performed (according to the theory of planned behavior). The importance of actual behavioral control is obvious. The resources and opportunities available to the person definitely influence the chances of that behavior being performed to a certain extent. Another important factor is the perceived behavioral control. Perceived behavioral control is what distingu ishes the theory of planned behavior from the theory of reasoned action. It refers to the person’s opinion of how easy or difficult it would be for them to exhibit the behavior in question and their confidence in their ability to do it. Take for example the phenomenon of stunt biking. Almost every teenager who owns a bike would like to be a stunt biker and impress his or her peers with their daring feats. They have the resources required to do it (in this case an open stretch of road and a bike). Still, very few of them actually try doing a ‘wheelie’ or a ‘stoppie’ or any other such stunt, because the rest are not confident of their ability to successfully exhibit this behavior. This is why perceived behavioral control is an important influence in the exhibition of a said behavior and can be used to predict the probability of success of behavioral expression in an individual. The theory of planned behavior has more utility than merely predicting beha vior. It also attempts to explain the behavior, dealing with attitudes and subjective norms which influence the final outcome. The theory suggests that, at the most rudimentary level, the behavioral intent is a function of the person’s salient beliefs with respect to the behavior. These salient beliefs have been further segmented into behavioral beliefs which influence the person’s attitude towards the behavior, normative beliefs which take the influence of subjective norms into consideration and

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Banking sector ( PESTLE and SWOT analysis) Essay

Banking sector ( PESTLE and SWOT analysis) - Essay Example The bank has integrated its investment banking, wealth management and asset management services with the Swiss operations to provide high quality financial solutions (UBS-a, 2011). The bank is relatively new. It came into existence in 1998 with the merger of Swiss Bank Corporation and Union Bank of Switzerland. Today the bank has grown as a global firm with a strong market position in Europe, US and Asia and a higher employee base in US than Switzerland, despite a dominant presence in the Swiss retail market. Most of the growth achieved has been through the M&A (mergers and acquisitions) deals. PESTLE Analysis of UBS The PESTLE analysis of the banking sector examines the various factors that affect the industry thereby impacting the companies operating in the industry. PESTLE is an acronym of political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environment analysis. The factors relating to economy include interest rates, economic growth, rate of inflation and exchange rates. The so cial factors include changes in buying patterns, culture, changes in consumer preferences etc. Technological factors include R&D, advancement in technology, innovation, new inventions etc. The legal factors include the legal framework of the country i.e. whether the legal environment in a country is conducive to conducting business activity, the banking rules and regulations in the country whether it is stringent or liberal etc. The environmental factors generally do not have any influence on the performance of the banking sector. Political- The political condition in Switzerland is quite stable. In fact some economists assigned the political stability of the country as an important factor that propelled the country’s economic success. The political system of the country is very effective as is evident from the high authoritative powers granted to the county and state governments. As compared to the Federal government the state level offices are in a position to react more ef ficiently and are equipped with better decision making power. The success of the banking sector in the area of asset management is owing to a traditionally stable political condition, reliability and high efficiency of banks and the overall good performance of the investments (Swiss Bankers Association, 2004). A stable political environment is conducive for the operations of the banks. Economic- The country enjoys the status of tax haven that makes it an attractive destination for making investments. Switzerland is renowned as the most prosperous and advanced countries in the world. The per-capita income of Switzerland is one of the highest across the globe. The prosperity of the country is on account of its trade with exports being a source of income and import of necessary raw materials contributing to the wide range of indigenous supply of goods and services. The domestic currency is among the soundest currencies in the world. Moreover the country is reputed for high quality fina ncial and banking services. The investment in a country thrives on a stable exchange rate. As mentioned above the country attracts good investments on account of a strong domestic currency. The performance of the banks depends strongly on this factor. The banks can draw good investments from the overseas as the clients are convinced about the value of their investments. Besides the added benefits of tax haven is also one of the reasons that make the region an

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Policy Response to Climate Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy Response to Climate Change - Essay Example Laws are virtually of no use if there are no regulatory bodies to ensure the laws are enforced. These regulatory bodies would, among other things, visit industries and other sources where carbon emissions are recorded in worse quantities. They would check to confirm that the laws and regulations set in the laws are adhered to. III. Education and Sensitization: More to the regulation of laws, there should be measures to educate the public and sensitize them on climate change. It is hoped that with massive education, the people will have personal and political will to ensure that they adhere to the need to ensure that there is not much production of carbon in the environment. Such education will be carried out in schools and in public places. IV. Enforcement of Law: Regardless of the activities of the regulatory bodies and the education and sensitizations that will take place, there are certainly going to be people and bodies who would attempt to break the laws. To such people, the laws must be applied. They must be forced to face the full rigors of the law. Laws without enforcement are only toothless bulldogs and this must not happen. There should be enforcements that would ensure that others are deterred from breaking the laws. I. Educating stakeholders and the public on climate change, its risks and how to avoid it: This policy will target the education of the masses on what climate change is, its causes and its effects. It is hoped that when the people gain enough education on the phenomenon, they will be empowered to be patriotic enough in ensuring that their actions and inactions do not lead to climate changes.

Monday, July 22, 2019

The training and development of employees in William Hill Essay Example for Free

The training and development of employees in William Hill Essay Training is essential for both employees and employer if they want to be effective within the organisation and also for a company like William Hill to stay competitive within their market. The reason why training is important to employees is to enable them to achieve their maximum potential in their current position, it is needed also to develop them to create further opportunities within the organisation because employees are likely to be better educated and become multi-skilled. Training should be ongoing within William Hill in developing the employees skills within the business. William Hill believes training is very essential for their company especially when it proves for employees to develop within the organisation and continuing to meet objective. The training and development of employees in William Hill is imperative for the performance or the company as they are in a competitive market. William Hill has to inform workers to be aware of surroundings in the area that they work. The main types of training which businesses are using are Induction, on and off the job training and induction because they are successful in degree of the work format in different organisations needs. Training firstly takes place with induction in William Hill plc to enable new employees settle in quickly and feel comfortable to stay within their organisation. Induction programmes are not usually about a specific job the employee will be doing, but the way in which the business works. Then they have off and on the job training, which takes place in different methods. Induction This is the training provided for new employees and in this program they will learn the following: * Where everything around the workplace is such as the essentials which are fire exits, toilets, staff canteen, basically they will get a guided tour of their place of work. * They will go through the employees hour of work, who their manager is, name tags, uniform and training which will be provided for them in the future. * Booklets will handed out concerning sickness procedures, perks, grievance procedures, health and safety regulations and William Hills mission statement. All new recruits are taken through induction program at William Hill which is designs to give employees a broad understanding of the business indifferent contexts because it is a way in which William Hill can communicate and develop a relationship with employees and ditto with customers. This also ensures customer care due to its importance it will enable William Hill to keep their customers loyal. A booklet named You and William Hill is an outline of what expected of each employee and information concerning your uniform which is either a black or navy blue trousers or skirt and a white shirt/top with a William scarf and name tag. Mentoring Mentoring involves the trainee being paired with more experienced employee. This is a good way to train employees as they are able to carry out the tasks that they would be performing if they were really doing the job. The mentor is there to assist the employee if they have any problems. William Hill can implement this type of training as a means for the employ that feel less confident within the workplace to gain a higher self esteem level. Having someone they feel comfortable with would make them work better and they can adapt interactive skills with that person, enabling them to use it on others. William Hill would be encouraging a more cohesive environment if this was one of their training methods. Coaching Coaching is a planned process requiring time and resources, and will be more effective if the coaching manager is trained in coaching techniques and committed to the approach. A coach may guide a trainee through procedures that they may carry out in the future. Sitting next to Nellie is a traditional type of on the job training. Nellie is the experienced worker there to guide you along your way. However this may cause complications for the company as the quality of the training depends on the ability of the trainer. William Hill could use this as they could teach employees about what goes on in the business. Its a lot easier for the employee to ask questions about things that they may feel they dont understand and have them answered there and then. Also being able to have areas demonstrated in a practical format would benefit the employee. Apprenticeships Apprenticeships provide people with broad based training along along with key skills. After they complete the course they graduate and become an employee. They aim to give a number of people undergoing training who achieve NVQs of at least level 3 for technical, craft and junior management skills. In my opinion William Hill Smith might not use this as they would probably just have part time workers, e.g. students wanting part time jobs in summer. On the job On the job training is done within the premises. Some jobs require no experience so the training will be done on arrival. This is appropriate in areas like Shop floor workers learning how to use the till, or a new clerical assistant will need to understand the filing system. William Hill will use this as they could train new employees how to interact with others. Shop floor workers can see first hand how workers that are more experienced than them handle customers, whethwer theyre nice or difficuit. Off the job training Off the job training is done off the premises. This may take place in another branch or as a college course. This is done to widen the employees skills and develop the ability that the individuals already have. Depending on the position that the employee has William Hill can send the worker on a course to develop his/her skills. Managerial positions may require this as their role is much more intense, e.g. dealing with employees or customers that may not be happy with the performance of employees. Transferable skills Transferable skills are skills that once they are learnt they can be used in many situations. Key skills of Application of Number, Communication, and Information Technology are used to develop a technique you already have. William Hill use this as it would be appropriate in their type of industry. The development of the skill that the employees possess would be needed if they were to move to another company for employment. Granted that all the skills cant be used within all industries within the same field the basic knowing of what to do in a certain predicament would be needed by the employee. William Hill providing this for them would improve their imge. Non Transferable skills These skills are specific to the job at hand. The skills you learn can only be used in a particular situation. William Hill wouldnt use this as the workers can become more productive if they learn different skills. Rotating them around would motivate them to help others and if they are to be relocated into another branch then they wouldnt need to adapt very much to they way of working. GNVQS GNVQS are a work related alternative to GCSE and A Level. This is basically the digestion of knowledge of what some companies may do. The aim is to provide education to students that want to enter a particular area of work. To progress from this area would be to move into work where an NVQ may be taken, or to move to another level (e.g.) level 2 to level 3 or level 3 to higher education (university). William Hill doesnt use this as training as the company isnt in this type of industry. If they chose to send their employees off the job for training, in a college they may prepare the employees for the basic knowledge they would need. Development This is enable individuals within William Hill to realise their potential for growth in the organisation. There are many ways you can measure individuals potential, such as appraisal, an analysis of employees performance or a system of assessment centres. There are also many ways an employee can be rewarded for their potential, such as promotion, job rotation, job enlargement, and job enrichment. William Hill offer all staff all the opportunity to develop themselves, that is why if one has the ability can progress to management level and then given the opportunity will have to go through management induction program, this will aid William Hill as workers will be more motivated as they will gain a sense of achievement which leads to greater employee retention. Training is very important for William Hill as well staff because well trained workers will be more productive and this will enable the company to meet objectives set which will increase profit. This is also good for employees especially concerning performance relate pay because a higher dividend is given. It will help save cost as there will be less waste due to fewer mistakes made also the corporate image will be enhanced because the work force are better skilled and motivated. Training and Development can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty indirectly as work will be done more efficiently and they will be more motivation to keep customers happy also it can make William Hill more competitive as they will be performing better at work.

The Individual, Society and Change Essay Example for Free

The Individual, Society and Change Essay Over the years, people have always been motivated to take action and make a change in the society because of many different factors such as pain, desire to be better person, bad conditions of life or habits. And all of these desires can become true by the motivation, constant, and continued efforts to change this society that could be better without inequity. But sometimes, through small modifications great changes can be made Nora Neale Hurston in her essay How it Feels to be Colored Me talks about her childhood experience to express the pride on her individuality. Instead of trying to talk about racial inequality, talks about her uniqueness and how she was not affected by racist comments of white people. Thus, she attempts to transmit the fact of not changing the identity and personality of black people (or of other races) but try to modify the behavior of people of other races towards comments at this time. To achieve her objective of changing peoples’ mind, there are several passages in the text that reveal her positivity and optimism. For example, she mentions that there was always someone reminding her that she was the â€Å"granddaughter of slaves† (Cooley, 157). But this did not make her feel angry or depressed, since slavery, she says, was the â€Å"price that their ancestors had to pay to get to civilization† (157). She also mentions, I am Merely a fragment of the Great Soul that surges within the boundaries (Cooley 157), meaning that the fact of being of color, did not define an individual’s personality or who they were, because every person were another human being. She goes on to say â€Å"Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me† (Cooley 157), meaning that no one should care about people’s opinià ³n. Those three passages are great examples of how Nora Neale tried to change other black or other raced people behavior: define each person by their identity, not by other’s thoughts or comments. And this is where best describes each person is as it is; we all have our strengths and weaknesses because of our character and not the color or race. To conclude, people know when a change is needed, and they will do it because they won’t accept to live in a society that could be better. They will do it because they want a better future for them; their children and the population that is round them. And that is what Hurston made with â€Å"how it feels to be colored me†: she changed the attitude of angry or depressed people of other races about racist comments. And she also made racist people see that individuals of other races where also people which were defined by their character and personality, and not by their origin or ethnicity.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Starbucks Is The Leading Retailer And Roaster Marketing Essay

Starbucks Is The Leading Retailer And Roaster Marketing Essay My assignment strives to outline the marketing strategic approaches to be undertaken for the next year by the Starbucks is the leading retailer and roaster for brand specialty coffee in the world. It has over7,500 stores located worldwide. As Starbucks continues to expand, it will encounter all sorts of new product markets, with new and demanding customers for unique and appealing products. Entering this new market, Starbucks will face many challenges to compete and to retain brand recognition of its primary products, yet increases awareness of its new product line. Situational analysis Company As Mathew Carmean and his fellows (Sewer, Andy,January 26, 2004 p.70) tell us: Starbucks is the leading retailer for roaster and brand specialty coffee in the world. It has over 7,500 stores, which are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the MiddleEast. Besides high quality coffee drinks, Starbucks sells bottled coffee drinks, such as Frappuccino andStarbucks DoubleShot. [ibis]Starbucks revenue is growing by 20% a year and is opening approximately three stores every day.Starbucks is capable of managing its successful operations by having steady market growth. It achievedthis by financing through their cash flow instead of franchising, selling stock or increasing their financialleverage). Its strategy to success is blanket an area completely. This approach is to cuts down ondelivery and management costs, shortens customer lines at individual stores, and increases foot traffic forall the stores in an area, that gives Starbucks a competitive advantage. Customer At first only professionals and educators went to Starbucks, but now it attracts a much wider demographic of customersincluding people of different ethnic backgrounds and ages. Today, Starbucks has the striking number of 25million visitors in its stores each week. This success is due to the combination of high quality drinksand friendly environment with good music, comfortable chairs, and good services. This creates theStarbucks experience which customers can relate to that lead to brand loyalty. In addition, Starbucksneeds to deal with customers cultural preferences in all its worldwide locations to maintain customers loyalty. Competitors To ensure further market growth and be competitive, Starbucks is developing new products for non-coffee drinkers. Starbucks provides its current customers and attracts new customers not only with quality products but also with varieties flavors that customers desire. Starbucks two largest competitors are Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme, both are national chains. These companies use aggressive price-cutting, up to 20%, for their drinks. Other competitors are small local coffeehouses, and other coffee brands like Tullys and Petes Coffee. Their direct competitors for the new product line are Orange Julius, Jamba Juice, fast food chains such as McDonalds and Burger King, and other small coffee alternative providers. Complementors Starbucks has teamed up with Bank One to offer the Starbucks Card Duetto Visa. This is a stored-value card and traditional credit card. Starbucks has also introduced a T-Mobile Hotspot service which allows the Starbucks customer to have access to wireless internet for a fee.  Offering more services like the Visa card, wireless internet and customized CD will add more value to the Starbucks experience and help draw more customers to Starbucks which will lead to higher revenues. Managerial Problem Starbucks strategic goal is to increase market share of the non-coffee drinker; they have begun byintroducing an extension of a product line targeted to this segment. To ensure market growth, Starbuckshas repositioned one of its current products, the Frappuccino line, this product has been extended toinclude 3 new flavors; Double Chocolate Chip Crà ¨me, Vanilla Bean Crà ¨me, and Strawberries Crà ¨me,introduced throughout the summer months. Faced with the challenge of entering a new competitivemarket Starbucks must compete to retain brand recognition of its primary products, yet increaseawareness of its new product line by expanding the retail stores in the international markets. SWOT analysis  will help emphasize exactly what Starbucks is doing right or wrong. It will provide us an insight on what the company is good at, and in what areas Starbucks could use assistance. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) are described below: Starbucks SWOT Analysis Strengths It is a global coffee brand built upon a reputation for fine products and services. It has almost 17,000 stores in 49 countries.   The organization has strong ethical values, commitment to the environment, and community activists. Weaknesses The organization has a strong presence in the United States of America with more than three quarters of its cafes located in the domestic market. In order to reduce business risk, expansion is needed. Starbucks has a reputation for new product development and creativity. However, they remain vulnerable to the possibility that their innovation may falter over time, and product acceptance will come to a halt eventually slowing growth. Opportunities The company has the opportunity to expand its global operations. New markets for coffee such as India and the Pacific Rim nations are beginning to emerge. Co-branding with other manufacturers of food and drink, and brand franchising to manufacturers of other goods and services both have potential. Threats Starbucks success has led to the market entry of many competitors and copycat brands that could pose potential threats. How they combat these threats will determine their future. Starbucks is exposed to rises in the cost of coffee and dairy products. Starbucks is a large company with a competitive advantage that is shrinking because of its huge success. This is because Starbucks model has been copied successfully by its competitors and this poses a serious threat to the company. If Starbucks cannot retain its differentiator strategy, it is doomed to fall out of popularity, as it would end up being a store that is selling nothing more than a cup of coffee.   With majority of its stores concentrated in United States, Starbucks is also limiting its growth and exposing itself to risk. Any negative changes in the domestic market could severely hurt Starbucks viability as a firm. If Starbucks can retain its strengths and build on opportunities, while suppressing weaknesses and extinguishing threats, it will be able to grow throughout the world market. The SWOT analysis also gives a starting point for a discussion on what Starbucks can do to reduce its weaknesses. Due to its large size, Starbucks sets trends for the industry that can be backed up by the volume of their delivery. Exactly how long Starbucks can dominate the market depends on Starbucks itself. Starbucks has a large number of stores for coffee outlets, all of which are owned outright by the corporation and no franchisees. Minimal revenue requirements have been placed on each store, and those that fall short are closed. The company closed down over 600 stores that fell short of its revenue requirements (Fiscal 2008 Annual Report). The large number of stores is a huge asset or a liability, depending on how one assesses the situation. If there is a strong economy and people have disposable income, then there is a benefit on having so many stores to generate revenues. On the other hand, during economic downturns, the vast number of stores will become a huge financial liabi lity. By consistently enforcing revenue requirements for each store, Starbucks will able to maintain or increase its same store sales, and while at the same reducing one of the weaknesses of being so large. The company has managed to maintain the competitive advantage because it has offered conveniences and an atmosphere customers can enjoy. As long as Starbucks fulfills its customers wants and needs, Starbucks will continue to be a leading force in the market. Starbucks should continue to create more value at its stores. Starbucks has created a perception that it is focused not just on profits, but also on societal agendas. The companys stores have become a medium for people and communities to come together and promote a better place to live in an environmentally conscious society. Starbucks found a niche market where it identified what makes its customers happy, and has delivered it to them. Continuing to accomplish this will allow Starbucks to maintain its competitive advantage for years to come. Marketing Vision and Mission statement of Starbucks Mission Statement of Starbucks To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Vision of Starbucks   Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. Marketing Objectives of Starbucks To create a Starbucks experience that makes people come for the coffee, stay for the ambience and environment, and return for the connection. To build an image separate from smaller coffee chains. To clearly communicate the values and commitments of the Starbucks business to their customers, instead of only growth plans publicized in the media. Marketing strategies Implemented by Starbucks Growth Strategy This well-known marketing tool was first published in the Harvard Business Review (1957) in an article called Strategies for Diversification. It is used by marketers who have objectives for growth. Ansoffs matrix offers strategic choices to achieve the objectives. There are four main categories for selection. Ansoffs Product/Market Matrix Market Penetration With this approach, Starbucks will try to sell more of the same product to the same customers at a competitive price. Here itwilladvertise, introduce a loyalty scheme, launch special promotions, to encourage more people within the existing market to choose its products, or to use more of it. By working toward this goal, Starbucks wants to open new stores in both new andexisting markets, expand their product development process, and cater to customersneeds to eventually improve their financial position and dominate market share. Market Development With this approach, Starbucks will target new markets or new areas of the market. It will try to sell more of the sameproducts to different people. However,we will target different geographical markets at home, use different sales channels, such as online or direct sales if weare currently selling through the trade, target different groups of people, perhaps different age groups, genders or demographic profiles from our normal customers. Product Development With this approach, we will sell more things to the same people with new products. Here we will extend our products by producing different variants, or packaging existing products in new ways. Starbucks can apply the following product development strategy Fresh and rich brewed Italian espresso Offers pastries and other appetizing confections Sells coffee-related accessories (mugs, coffee makers, cups, espresso, etc.) Expanded sales into supermarkets of whole bean coffee Introduction the widely popular drink, Frappuccino, to the public Strives for satisfied customers and a welcoming environment Works to have highest standards of excellence in way of business Offers newspapers and other reading material, popular music, and Internetaccess Ansoffs matrix is one of the most well know frameworks for deciding upon strategies for growth. CompetitiveStrategy Porter five forces Generic strategies were used initially in the early 1980s, and seem to be even more popular today. They outline the three main strategic options open to organization that wish to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Each of the three options are considered within the context of two aspects of the competitive environment: Sources of competitive advantage   are the products differentiated in any way, or are they the lowest cost producer in an industry?  Competitive scope of the market   does the company target a wide market, or does it focus on a very narrow, niche market? Michael Porters Analysis of Starbucks Michael Porter, a Harvard Professor introduces his ideology of the Five Forces model that shapes the competition in the industry.    Each force is interrelated and therefore leads into the other to show the elements directly involved in the further success or ultimate success of the firm.   Ã‚   Starbucks Coffee Company, throughout its existence since 1971, with its great management team, innovative style of thinking and strong will to succeed in compliance with its mission and vision statements has and continues to overcome its barriers by recognizing such strategic planning as those included in Porters five forces model. The model includes such components as Barriers to Entry, Supplier and Buyer Power, Threat of Substitutions, and most importantly the Industry Competitors. Starbucks throughout its existence has addressed each and every one of Porters forces with a positive edge that has greatly contributed to the success of the company. Starbucks took manyrisks and spent capital that it really did not have.    To build a corporation based on intuition and a trip to Italy has undoubtedly paid off in the long run which is evident throughout the year that Starbucks has been in operation.    Howard Schultz, CEO and founder of the company, has stuck to his conviction not to sacrifice long-term integrity and values for short-term profit.    He knew if he played his cards right and stuck to his guns it would only be a matter of time that Starbucks would become the world largest coffee industry in the world.    He wanted the company to become and international outlet for coffee consumers which not only included men and woman but also addresses the needs and wants of those of all ages and nationalities, children, students and any other category of people that have and interest in Starbucks diverse product line. With constant dedication to the companys vision and mission statement and believing in the value of market share and name recognition and how critical they are to the success. (http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Michael-Porters-Analysis-Starbucks/33231) Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning Segmentation One dimension of segmentation will be demographics (age and household status). Starbucks have to selected married couples age 23 50 with children to be our primary target market. According to the research, it is found that these households spend more than other households on non-alcoholic beverages away from home. The Company will evaluate each segment based upon potential business success. Opportunities will depend upon factors such as: the potential growth of the segment the state of competitive rivalry within the segment how much profit the segment will deliver how big the segment is how the segment fits with the current direction of the company and its vision. Starbucks does not have any special segments or we can say that it is not focusing on a specifically group rather than company is focusing on the people who want to relax themselves by a taking a cup of coffee and company is providing them the environment that the customers want. Targeting As the Starbucks is extremely careful ineach step of coffee making, it is trying to maintain a long-standing relationship with its customers and similarly they do not have any real competition threats.Starbucks is will target office workers, with middle to high incomes, who have a desire topurchase premium products.While evaluating the consumer market the conclusion is that the ideal consumers economic profile will beUpper Middle Class, Privileged Class, While the age demographics will be Students and Youngsters, Professionals, Families, and Mature Consumers. Gender and Ethnic or Religious Background is researched to have minimal or no effecton the choices concerning coffee. Positioning Positioning is undoubtedly one of the simplest and most useful tools to marketers. After segmenting a market and then targeting a consumer, you would proceed to position a product within that market. Remember this important point. Positioning is all about perception. As perception differs from person to person, so do the results of the positioning map e.g what you perceive as quality, value for money, etc., and is different to my perception. However, there will be similarities. This is the main strength of this tool. Marketers decide upon a competitive position which enables them to distinguish their own products from the offerings of their competition (hence the term  positioning strategy). Store Ambience Goal: To make customers want to linger Social Appeal-Offer a sense of community, a place where peoplecan come together. Physical layout Seating areas to encourage lounging Appear upscale yet inviting Aromas Smoking is banned in all stores Employees are asked to refrain from wearing perfumes orcolognes, and prepared foods are kept covered socustomers would only smell coffee aromas. Sounds Play soothing CDs that are also for sale Often offer live music Customer Service The company sees a direct link between customer satisfaction andcustomer loyalty. The company believes that employee satisfaction leads to customersatisfaction (Moon). MARKETING MIX Product Starbucks should try to position themselves as a premium product in the coffee industry in Asia bycreating a high standard, introducing innovative products and providing excellent service.They should open new retail stores in the downtown area and also try to maintain the quality control of the coffee beans throughout Asia.  Consumers can enjoy theexperience; they encounter at Starbucks, and now for those who seek a high quality non-coffee drink canenjoy the same experience. By introducing these new summer drinks, Starbucks will enjoy an entirelynew segment to market its products in Asia. When looking at the sales revenues for the summer drinks it isimportant to consider that some of the existing customers will inevitably cross over and begin consumingthe new drinks. In the end, the expansion of the product line is a wise decision because of the ease ofadoption to Starbucks reputation for quality as well as the low cost of implementation. Price Price and quality determines the value of the product. Therefore, Starbucks have to base their price strategy on the competition of quality.It alwaystries to deliver the high value promised to the consumers. They have to buy the quality beans,give effective and efficient training to staffs, and moreover, make an atmosphere to enjoycoffee. These all justify theirpricing and show how price supported their positioning. Place Distribution channels links the organizations product or service to its consumers; andin a producer-consumer (direct supply) channel, as in the case of Starbucks, maintaining apersonnel relationship with the customers is significant (BrassingtonPettitt, 2000). However, from a distribution point of view Starbucks has an advantage by sticking on to itswinning store location formula for its new stores (refer case study). Starbucks always selectedhighly visible locations and opened stores as clusters. As demandwill grow, as these store clustersmake them able to manage the increased traffic and to keep their competitive position.In thesame way, they can take care about the services provided in the stores. Starbucks invested heavily in training their staffs and did innovativetactics to manage their human capital. Thus they differentiated themselves in the market byconstantly providing higher quality services Promotion One advantage that may set Starbucks apart is the having a solid online marketing program. It should hire qualified online marketing managers to oversee its websites functions and appeal so that consumers to patronize the site will see all the humanitarian work Starbucks is doing and use it as a competitive edge to retain customers and curb product substitution. A search engine optimization campaign should be launched to ensure that anyone searching for terms related to the services Starbucks offers finds the Starbucks website and spends a significant amount of time there. Blogs and forums discussing the humanitarian work of the company may be added to increase consumer awareness of the companys activities. Artworks can be designed to boasteach citys personality, and it is used on traveler mugs and T-shirts, recruitlocal ambassadors from new partners and from customers to promote their brand.The Company is not using advertising but they can use those funds for acquiring key locations and establish a national dominance before others about specialty coffee bars. Relationship Marketing Starbucks Relationship Marketing activities can be done in two common ways like internally and externally. For example, internally, relationships are enhanced by introducing a cooperative and goal oriented organizational structure with effective control systems, retaining competent management, employing effective operational processes and international expansion strategies. Employees are   referred to as partners with both part and full time staff treated equally by offering both stock options and full medical coverage. Externally, Starbucks core strategy should be centered on building lasting customer relationships through trust and commitment with its stakeholders (Refer case study). After analyzing the information about what media the target audience prefers, we should come up with the following: newspapers, internet, outdoor, magazines and radio. Two certain types of magazines are mostly used. Those are womens interest and news and entertainment weeklies. Some of the specific vehicles for magazines will be Better Homes and Garden, People and National Geographic. As for newspapers, it should be locally distributed carriers that run the Parade supplement. The internet usage varied across a wide variety of content. Therefore, a key word association will be the most local choice to select their certain interests as well as the name Starbucks itself. Radio is also another that will have to change as far as format is concerned. This will vary depending on the market the radio is in. They do share common listening times. These times are from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Friday, and 3pm to 7pm on the weekends. Outdoor being another selection of media to reach our target audience it is a way of being in the community as they transit from one place to another. The location of this will be selected based upon spot market rating for the most showings in the specific areas. FUTURE PROMOTION AND EXPANSION PLANS: Starbuckswill be launching more branches all over Asia after developing an evenfirmer hold on the local western markets. The expansion will be planned for the nextyear that is 2011. The next targets should be India, Srilanka, Pakistan, and in cities of China.For that purpose again the launch will not be very extravagant, but the alreadyestablished repute in the metropolitan of western and the attachment of TV programsand stars will do the required marketing. Ads will be published in the leadingnewspapers and some bill board advertising should also be done. But overall it will below key marketing activity.Allocated budgetshould be kept in mind while launching the product in the Asia. Conclusion As stated earlier, Starbucks historically positioned itself as an upscale brand. Due to the economic downturn and increased competition from large quick-service restaurant chains and specialty retailers, the company sees its profits being eroded. The company introduced new products that would appeal to price-skittish customers and implemented techniques that would standardize its stores and reduce costs. The new strategy carries with it its own risks. Since Starbucks enjoyed such a rapid growth in its business, the company can expands its stores anywhere in the globe where there is a more profitability. It means that Starbucks stores are as readily available as McDonalds and as such the Starbucks experience the company asserts it provides, might be seen as no different than the experience of McDonalds. As in the case of appealing to mass market with bottomless coffee, Starbuckss core customer might move to other stores where they perceive the experience is still being provided. If Starbucks continues to increase its storeswhile measuring and implementing of its various cost cutting initiatives, Starbucks is likely to see increased profitability. The company is also introducing 100 new stores in US, and 200 new stores in International markets, which might positively affect the company provided they are successful. Aggressive adoption of no-frills products to bring in new customers could also affect Starbuckss profitability. Until now, any increase in commodity prices are more or less offset by companys high prices, but a no-frills products would put downward pressure on companys profitability, and possibly even damage Starbucks image as an upscale brand. Biblograhy 1) Mathew Carmean, Julie Anstett, Julia Toochette, Joel Ennis, Joey Eaton, Trang P. Huynh ,: 2003 The Starbucks: The Non-Coffee Treat 2) KatieTewell, Bethany Odom, Kelly Snider, December 12, 2006, Starbucks Marketing Plan 3)www.Marketingteacher.com 4)http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Michael-Porters-Analysis-Starbucks/33231

Saturday, July 20, 2019

The Patriot Act Essay -- Terrorism Government Patriot Act Essays

The Patriot Act After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 our country underwent a change that has drastically affected the fundamental values that our founding fathers instilled in this country. Since that tragic day in September the aftermath of the attacks has started to implicate our Civil Liberties that in this country we hold so dear. Just 45 days after the September 11 attacks, with virtually no debate, Congress passed the USA Patriot Act on October 5th, 2001. This act expanded the surveillance powers of domestic law enforcement and international intelligence agencies. The controversy that must be discussed is whether or not this legislation fully or in part has violated the Constitution and/or endangered our civil liberties in any way. John Kerry former presidential candidate is opposed to the patriot act stating ?We are a nation of laws and liberties, not of a knock in the night. So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft. That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new l aw that protects our people and our liberties at the same time.? John Kerry is right in suggesting that the patriot act is thinning our freedoms. Those who feel the patriot act is going to protect us from harm fail to see the dark side of the legislation which is relinquishing us of our rights guaranteed to us in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The USA Patriot Act or the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 is a US legislative law enacted in response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. The bill passed 98-1 in the United States Senate, and 356-66 in the United States House of Representatives; Senator Russ Feingold cast the Senate's lone dissenting vote. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on October 26, 2001. Assistant attorney general Viet D. Dinh was the chief architect of the act. In the article written by Michelle Malkin titled ?Antiterrorism Legislation Will Make America Safer? Malkin defends although unpopular the USA Patriot Act has allowed law enforcement to make America safer from terrorists. She Maintains that the act has already thwarted further acts of terror by helping law enforcement break up terror cells, convict people guilty of terror-related crimes, and prevent foreign criminals an d terrorists from entering the United S... ...mines the Fourth Amendment to our Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. There was obviously some concern about this by Congress, which is the reason that the Patriot Act was sunset at five years. One day after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center President Bush vowed, ?We will not allow this enemy to win the war by changing our way of life or restricting our freedoms.? Unfortunately, by becoming an aggressive advocate of the Patriot Act, the President is doing just that. During Bush?s State of the Union speech, he emphasized that a key role of our government was to protect us from foreign terrorists. However, if the Bush Administration continues to advocate such measures as the Patriot Act, then an important question is raised: Who will protect us from our own government? I conclude my stance with a quote from Senator Russel Feingold the sole senator who voted in opposition to the USA Patriot Act, Feingold passionately states ?Preserving our freedom is one of the main reasons that we are now engaged in this new war against terrorism. We will lose that war without firing a shot if we sacrifice the liberties of the American people.?