The advantages and challenges of European integration for business in the 21st century Essay Example

The advantages and challenges of European integration for business in the 21st century Essay Introduction: With Europe being the epicentre of the two Great Wars of the last century, a robust arrangement of cooperation and mutual benefit was made imperative. With the collapse of the Berlin Wall, an opportunity was created for the erstwhile divided Europe to once again unite under a democratic framework. On the broader geo-political scale, the rise of the United States of America as the undisputed superpower had made a case for a suitable counterbalance. The greater integration within Europe, as witnessed in the last two decades is an attempt toward this end. European integration as it exists today is largely confined to the domain of economics. In other words, the dismantling of labour movement barriers between nations, the floating of a common currency, the adoption of common laws pertaining to trade and commerce, are all outside the purview of domestic/internal policy. To this extent, the constituent nations retain their cultural and social uniqueness, while still benefiting from new economic opportunities created within Europe. This essay will look into the advantages and challenges created by the process of integration by way of studying its various facets. We will write a custom essay sample on The advantages and challenges of European integration for business in the 21st century specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The advantages and challenges of European integration for business in the 21st century specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The advantages and challenges of European integration for business in the 21st century specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The origins of European Integration: Given the long history of war and conflict between European nations, there emerged a need for strong commitment toward cooperation and mutual benefit. The first step toward this cooperative framework was initiated with the formation of Council of Europe and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the year 1950. An impressive 40 European nations subscribed to the resolutions carried forward in the convention. Yet, the Council of Europe remained a peripheral institution as the continent was divided in two during the Cold War. It would be another forty years for the next significant step toward integration, which came with the fall of Berlin Wall in 1989 and with it the collapse of the Soviet Union. The commitment toward amicable relations within Europe resumed with the signing of Maastricht Treaty in 1993, which was further expanded in the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the year 2000. The Charter drew together â€Å"all EU-protect ed personal, civil, political, economic, and social rights into a single text. But it goes beyond simply restating already respected human rights by addressing specifically modern issues such as bio-ethics and protecting personal information and data†. (Nagel, 2004) An important aspect of the integration is the common acceptance of EU law by all constituent members. With it they agree to abide by the judgments of the European Court of Justice, which will be the highest authority in resolving legal disputes. The core principles of EU law were built on the common European traditions of law and justice. As a way of making this new institution effective, all member nations have agreed that â€Å"EU law overrides national law in areas where the EU has authority and that the European Court of Justice is the final arbiter of EU law. Its complete judicial independence makes it one of the best examples of European integration†. (Rucker, 2004) Advantages created by European Integration: 1. Free Market Economy: At the centre of the European Integration is the acceptance of principles of free market economy by national governments. Hence, it is only on expected lines that different member states have embraced the free market ideology at varying degrees. The smaller nations of the EU have benefitted the most from the removal of barriers to trade and labour. The Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty are the key legislations pertaining to this integration of erstwhile separate national economies. These laws endeavour to decrease, if not eliminate, â€Å"national differences in fundamental policies that are viewed as common interest to the Union although there are vast differences in the social and economic structures of the members† (Favell, 2001). The application of principles of market economy across the EU has transformed the economic landscape of the entire region. A healthy state of competition exists between nations and their leading enterprises, which helps generate economic growth, boost trade, encourage investment and lift the standard of living for all European Union citizens. A classic example is the deregulation in telecommunications and air transport sectors and privatization of state-owned enterprises across the EU, which has levelled the playing field and has encouraged competition while also having positive economic implications for the citizens. 2. Opportunities for Smaller Members: In its early days, the European Union comprised of only six nations, all of which had well-developed economies. The subsequent stages of enlargement have made the Union more diverse in terms of the social and economic status of its member states. This has conferred unprecedented opportunities for the smaller nations of the EU. Nations from the Eastern European bloc, especially, have benefitted from this integration. At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, these nations were in economic turmoil. With the adoption of democracy and free market capitalism, these nations have managed to come back from the brink, although some challenges still confront them. Furthermore, the European Court of Justice has gained a reputation for fairness and has not favoured one nation over the other in its short history. This must come as a big boost for the smaller members. For example, â€Å"The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg, for its part, has displayed remarkable activism. EU law generally has direct effect: it becomes part of the acquis communautaire that domestic courts must enforce. The Court reviews the legal status of acts undertaken by Union institutions, supervises member-state compliance with the founding treaties and secondary Union legislation, and interprets EU law for domestic courts.The Court has strived to rise above and mitigate the inter-institutional squabbling that has so often paralyzed the EU†. (Favell, 2001) 3. Attainment of Greater Social Solidarity: In the last two decades, the European Union underwent a rapid expansion. The confluence between the Western and Eastern blocs had seemed impossible at a time. But most of the former Communist countries have now been included in the broader EU, which has helped people across the continent progress toward peace and prosperity. It is a testament to this renewed European solidarity that the EU was able to â€Å"launch or complete daring projects such as Economic and Monetary Union and the introduction of the euro, an EU Defence and Security Policy, and the European Immigration and Asylum Policy†. (Schmidtke, 2007) Challenges facing European Integration: 1. The Immigration Problem The most talked about issue regarding European Integration is the issue of immigration. When the EU was initially conceived it was meant to provide a level playing field for labourers from all across the Union. But based on recent statistics and opinion polls the movement of labour across national boundaries has not been hassle-free. The problem is compounded by factors of race, origins and nativity, for â€Å"even more than indigenous Europeans, foreign-origin populations have run into barriers when trying to gain a say in the EU policy-making process† (Verdun, 2005). Furthermore, â€Å"The distance separating immigrants from the Union and its policies, the Union’s institutional structure and the trend toward intergovernmental bargaining, the diversity of national immigration policies, and the specific actions of EU authorities have all hampered immigrant participation. A legal wedge has been driven between EU and third-country nationals, and between second-generation immigrants and their parents.† (Schmidtke, 2007) The particular case of Britain is of importance to the discussion, given its past experience with colonialism and post-colonial immigration. The nature and complexion of immigration to the UK has undergone a radical change since the economic integration of European nations and the enacting of common European Union laws. Ever since the New Labour ascended to power under the leadership of Tony Blair, the British government has been confronted with the challenging task of pleasing its indigenous people while not affronting immigrants. If we accept the precept that public opinion is a driving force for policy changes, then the outlook for immigrants does not look promising. A survey conducted by Channel4’s Dispatches, in collaboration with YouGov titled ‘The survey for Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth’ has thrown light on some surprising facts. A majority of participants are of the view that immigrants contribute to â€Å"diluting our culture and leading to th e breakdown of society† (Gillingham, 2003).

The reason why I selected these three compounds Essays

The reason why I selected these three compounds Essays The reason why I selected these three compounds Essay The reason why I selected these three compounds Essay The reason why I selected these three compounds which are azo dyes, aspirin and soap is because: In the aspect of chemistry, they all have different functional groups and molecular shapes associated with different functions. They are all demanded in the modern world commercially. They are easy and an affordable way of making in the college lab with minor hazards. The aims of this unit is to: A clear awareness of a variety of different functional groups and their reactions. A brief understanding of the reaction mechanism involved in each reaction as well as the shape importance of the molecule relating to its use. ; An in depth insight of the organic synthesis as well as the gradual steps involved in making the product, including the issue of equilibrium reactions and predicted yield. ; Familiarize myself with the different apparatus as well as materials used in the organic synthesis, and their limitations with regardless of yield. ; Show good comprehensive knowledge of the commercial importance of organic compounds and the economic imperatives involved in producing such compounds. AZO DYES 1) Introduction There are different types of dyes. A dye is used to impart color to materials of which it becomes the integral part. They give bright, high intensity colors that can even supply a complete rainbow of colors. Azo dyes are highly important commercially as they are used in the textile industry as acid dyes for wool and their affinity for cotton is increased by the number of auxochromes or azo groups. Auxochromes are groups in a dye molecule that influences the color due to the chromophore. They are groups, such as -OH and -NH2, containing lone pairs of electrons that can be delocalized along with the delocalized electron An azo group is a -N=N- group that is a chromophore (A chemical group capable of selective light absorption resulting in the coloration of certain organic compounds.) Azo dyes are also used as pigments and in color photography. In the UK, companies like James Robinsons Limited make about thirty thousand tones of azo dyes each year. 2) Commercial And Laboratory Synthesis The synthesis of azo dyes involves the reaction of diazotation and coupling and at the end of the reaction, separation of the azo dye from the mixture that is going to be produced. 1) Diazotisation This is the reaction in which produces diazonium salt as well as a -N diazonium ion. This is very unstable when it exceeds temperatures above 10à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C. Otherwise the -N decomposes into nitrogen gas. 2) Coupling This is the electrophilic substitution on the phenol which produces an energetically stable azo dye. The azo group is -N=N- First step: Diazotisation reaction HNO + HCL + 2H O Phenylamine + nitrous acid + hydrochloric acid phenyldiazonium chloride + water (Diazonium salt) The reaction takes place under 10à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C to prevent the NN, the N2 diazonium ion decomposing into N2 gas. This suggests that the delocalization of the diazonium ion bond electrons over the benzene ring is only able to stabilize the diazonium salt at cold temperatures. At higher temperatures above 10à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C, there is too much so therefore the diazonium ion gives way to nitrogen gas. Below shows the reaction mechanism of for the formation of diazonium salt. Now that there is a N2+ diazonium ion, there is now a suitable electrophile to attack a phenol ring. Second Step: Coupling This is where phenol attacks benzene at the 4th position of the ring. The equation for this Is: Phenyldiazonium ion + phenol 4-hydroxyphenylazobenzene + hydrogen ion Azo dyes are very stabilized which is a result of broad delocalization of the electrons through the -N=N azo group (nitrogen double bond). Delocalisation is simply increased stability 3) Relationship Structure/ Function Of Azo dyes The structure of an azo dye is very closely linked to its function as a dye, in terms of color and fastness. Auxochromes can modify the color of a chromophore. The azo functional group itself is also important as this is what part of the light the spectrum absorbs. In the aspect of the fastness, azo dyes are very stable as a result of their chemical structure and they can also be made more color fast by alkylation of phenolic groups ASPIRIN 1) Introduction Aspirin is one of the commonly used pain relief tablets on the world. It is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Aspirin inhibits the enzyme that converts fatty acids in cell membranes into prostaglandin precursors known as endoperoxides. These endoperoxides can be converted into various prostaglandins, including those that produce pain, fever, and inflammation. Generally, one or two 5-grain doses of aspirin can block the prostaglandin formation. The main side effect of aspirin is the tendency of irritation of the stomach lining which causes small amounts of blood loss. In order to prevent this, aspirin is thus buffered and combined with other medicines to produce some desired effect of reducing blood loss. 2) Commercial Synthesis The starting raw materials of the commercial aspirin reaction are: Phenol C6 H3 OH ( l ) Sodium Hydroxide NaOH (aq) Carbon dioxide CO2 ( g ) Acetic Anhydride CH3COOCOCH3 ( l ) Acid H+ (aq) Below are four different stages in which aspirin is made: The next step of this reaction is classified as an esterification reaction. Esterification is simply where an alcohol (the -OH group from salicylic acid) reacts with an acid (acetic anhydride) to form an ester acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The rates of the esterification reaction are increased by the addition of small quantities of mineral acids such as phosphoric acid (a catalyst) and some heat. http://aspirin-foundation.com/reaction.htm C9H8O4 is the molecular formula for aspirin and this tells you how many atoms are in each molecule of acetylsalicylic acid. So there are 9 C (carbon) atoms, 8 H (hydrogen) atoms, and 4O (oxygen) atoms. Acetylsalicylic acid has two functional groups, the carboxylic acid group COOH and the MeCOOR ester group-(R is used as an abbreviation for an unspecified aliphatic or aromatic chain). The Reaction Mechanism The following diagram shows the reaction mechanism of the aspirin reaction. Note: The sign means it is an equilibrium reaction (a state of balance between two opposing elements). http://tooldoc.wncc.neveda.edu/aspirin.htm There are H+ ions because they have been catalyzed by a mineral acid The H+ (proton) from the acid attacks the carboxyl oxygen in the C=O. This therefore pushes two of the oxygen electrons in one of the bonds down that is the electrons are delocalized and spread out between the two oxygen atoms. In proximity of these electrons, the O-H bond with the oxygen in the alcohol breaks and this then rearranges the electrons to form a temporary bond between the two reactants (oxygen and alcohol). The alcoholic oxygen atom has now got a temporary positive charge as it now has three bonds to it in the intermediate at step 2 of the reaction mechanism. The oxygen loses its H+ which is then attracted to one of the lone pairs on the other oxygen to make it miserable and positively charged with three bonds. The H-O-H sort of water molecule in step 3 detaches itself to form a delocalized electron system. This delocalized electron system gives the molecule adequate stability when the H leaves forming an H+ ion. This H+ ion (proton) added in the step 1 is the original acid catalyst used at the beginning of the reaction. A catalyst is basically substance that increases or decreases the rate of chemical reaction between the other chemical species without being consumed up in the process. Laboratory Synthesis The starting materials of the laboratory synthesis of aspirin are salicylic acid and acetic anhydride both of which are easily available and inexpensive. Acetic anhydride reacts with the phenolic hydroxyl group of the salicylic acid to produce acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and acetic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid has two functional groups, the carboxylic group COOH and the MeCOOR ester group-(R is used as an abbreviation for an unspecified aliphatic or aromatic chain). The rates of esterification are increased by the addition of small quantities mineral acids such as phosphoric acid (a catalyst) and some heat. Below is an equation that shows this: 3) Relationship structure/function Understanding the similarities between the two different molecules (aspirin and paracetamol) which achieve similar effects can be a profitable way of having a clear distinction of the molecules. Below are two pictures showing the structure of aspirin compared to paracetamol: Aspirin Paracetamol The structure of aspirin is related to its shape, although the presence of the functional group is also important. As seen above, all two have a six membered ring structure, which tends to avoid the polar environment of water and a comparatively small appended group of atoms and are able to bond to part of their receptor molecule. The similarity in the structure of these molecules is clearly obvious and from their similar pain killing actions so therefore, we can assume that they both can fit into similar active sites even before the details of their active sites have actually been determined. SOAP 1) Introduction The term soap is a class name for the sodium and potassium salts of stearic acid, C17H35 COOH, and other fatty acids. Soaps are and have been there for centuries, made by the addition of hot concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions to fats such as glyceryl stearate. In the world every year, about 500,000,000 soaps are produced. Generally, soaps are used for bathing and washing clothes. It works by lowering the surface tension of water, by softening grease, and by absorbing dirt into the foam. Soaps come in three different states: which are the powder, liquid and bar forms. Some liquid soaps are very thick as well as sticky so they are called gels. The first step in manufacturing all the three forms of soap is the right selection of the raw materials as well as considering that if they can react accordingly with other ingredients and are also safe for humans if accidentally consumed. Also environmental safety is considered as precaution. 2) Synthesis In laboratory synthesis, the sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids, from which soaps are prepared, consist essentially of the glycerol esters of these acids. In soap manufacture or commercial synthesis, the oil or fat is heated with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in large vats. When hydrolysis is complete, the soap is salted out which is then treated with different fragrances . Transparent soap is manufactured from decolorized fats and liquid green soaps from potassium hydroxide. Commercial synthesis Soap involves a two step synthesis: First Step: Esterification This is the process whereby an alcohol is reacted (functional group -OH) and a long chain of carboxylic acid (functional group -COOH) to make an ester (functional group -C-O-O-C-). The long chain carboxylic acid is issued from fats and oils which is called a fatty acid. For soap, the alcohol is glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) and the carboxylic acid used to make soap is oleic acid (octadeca-cis-enoic acid) as well as stearic acid (octadecanoic acid). Oleic acid is best derived from olive oil or virgin olive oil containing up to 5g of oleic acid per 100g. Stearic acid is best derived from animal fats. Glycerol is a molecule with three -OH groups, therefore three molecules of carboxylic acid can couple to glycerol to make an ester. The ester will therefore be a backbone of glycerol with three side chains in which each is a potentially different fatty acid. Below is a picture of 1 molecule of glycerol + 3 molecules of a carboxylic acid = a triglyceride: There are therefore 3 ester linkages in a triglyceride. An ester linkage links an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. Below is a picture that shows this: Note that the R group is a general organic group but what is much more interested in is the functional group that makes the type of chemical needed. Example, below is diagram of CH3COOH (ethanoic acid) and CH3CH2OH ethanol which forms an ester of CH3COOCH2 CH3 + H2O A water molecule is released for every ester linkage formed. Therefore esterification is also a hydration process. Because there is a tri-glyceride and three ester linkages in the making of soap, this shows that three water molecules will be released in the reaction. The Reaction Mechanism In this reaction, a mineral acid is needed to act as a catalyst for the reaction to lower its activation energy. This acid is combined with the carboxylic acid and helps the alcohol react with it. The acid is released unchanged at the end of the reaction. Heat is also applied in this reaction process. The reaction mechanism is called The mechanism of Fischer The following pictures below shows some of the fatty acids used to make soap: Below is a picture of triglycerides of stearic acid which have three chains of fatty acids for each glycerol molecule. Before the reaction of the carboxylic groups and fatty acids, they had a -COOH group which reacted with the -OH on the alcohol. The -COOH loosed its OH and the -OH loosed its H. OH+H=H2O. The three molecules of H2O are released to form the ester as seen in the picture above. Below is another fat and another diagram of a triglyceride that has three tails. Each tails forms a different fatty acid. http://members.aol.com/jitsm/sas/Lowry_Paper/triglyceride3.gif Second Step: Hydrolysis = Saponification A hydrolysis reaction is the decomposition of a chemical compound that is reacted with water or the -OH group which breaks up a molecule. In this reaction step, glycerol is removed from the ester whiles at the same time, each of the fatty acids are turned into a sodium or potassium salt. The ester is heated under reflux with NAOH(aq) (sodium hydroxide) (or KOH (aq) for potassium hydroxide). The equation below shows the saponification of a triglyceride of stearic acid soap= sodium stearate. In the formula of the salt above, instead of : CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2COO-NA There is CH3(CH2)16COO-Na+ Third Step: Precipitation = Salting Out In this step, surplus amounts of saturated sodium chloride solution are added to the mixture obtained above to get a precipitate of soap. 3) Relationship Structure/Function: Soap is bubbly and works because it has a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end. The hydrophilic end means having a strong affinity or attraction to water and the hydrophobic end means having a strong aversion for water. Soap is a surface active material as this chemical agent is capable of quick reaction activity. THE MAKING OF SOAP IN COLLEGE LABORATORY: PRACTICAL WRITE-UP Before the experiment starts, the will be some safety precautions considered such as: the wearing of splash proof chemical goggles in case hot oil splashes over and catches fire and also including lab coats worn to prevent any corrosive substances falling on clothes of students in the laboratory. Materials Needed First Step Synthesis Separation After First Step Second Step Of Synthesis Collection Of Final Product Glycerol Oleic acid Concentrated sulphuric acid in fume cupboard (corrosive) Anti-bumping granules Measuring cylinder (x2 Pear-shaped flask Reflux condenser Bunsen burner Beaker Separating funnel Conical flask Digital weighing scale Aqueous sodium hydroxide conc. 3M (caustic) Measuring cylinder Bunsen Burner Saturated aqueous sodium chloride Digital weighing scale Filter funnel Filter paper Beaker Labels First Step Of Synthesis: Esterification 1mol glycerol + 3mol oleic acid 1mol glycerol trioleate + 3 mol water The reflux apparatus was set up as seen above in the synthesis of soap (Hydrolysis) and the water was kept in mind to be kept on . Now with the measuring cylinder, 10.0cm3 of oleic acid was measured and carefully poured it into the pear-shaped flask. After this, 5.0cm3 of glycerol was accurately measured using the additional measuring cylinder available and then also added to the pear-shaped flask. In the fume cupboard, 3-5 drops of the concentrated sulphuric acid mixture was added to the pear-shaped glass. Also a pinch of anti-bumping granules was added in the pear-shaped flask to stop any bubbles from forming and splashing the reactants everywhere. After this, the pear-shaped flask was clipped securely in the reflux apparatus for it to reflux for about half an hour as well as remembering not to overheat the mixture or let it dry out. After refluxing, two separate layers of liquid were produced. Separation Following First Step The two liquid layers was separated using the separating funnel after the esterification process. The lower layer of the two liquids were collected in a beaker and discarded off whiles the remaining top dark layer which is the ester was put in a pre-weighed conical flask which was heat resistant. Below is a table of the weighed product: Weight of conical flask (g) 89.84 grams Weight of conical flask+ ester (g) 97.16 grams Weight of ester (g) 7.32 grams Second Step Of Synthesis: Hydrolysis 1mol glycerol trioleate + 3 mol aqueous sodium hydroxide 1mol glycerol +3 mol sodium oleate Caution: The Sodium hydroxide was highly concentrated, so care was taken. Now with a measuring cylinder, 20.0cm3 of aqueous sodium hydroxide (3M concentration) was accurately measured and put into the heat resistant conical flask which had the ester in. This started to create a precipitate. The mixture was carefully heated up by the Bunsen burner to simmer it and also, with cautions of not boiling over for about ten minutes. After the tenth minute the bunsen burner was turned off and the mixture was allowed to cool down. Collection Of the Final Product (Soap) Following hydrolysis, some amounts of the soap was already precipitated but some was still in the solution. Using the saturated sodium chloride, the soap was precipitated in the solution. This was started by using 10cm3 of saturated sodium chloride, swirling the flask gently. The precipitate (soap) was allowed to settle for a few minutes and then filtered in the filter funnel using the filter paper to separate the solid and liquid was collected in a beaker. The solid soap was left in the filter to continue filtering which took quite a bit of time. The liquid collected in the beaker was discarded and a preliminary weight measurement of the soap was taken. The mixture was allowed to dry out naturally and in a few days time, the final weight of the soap was accurately taken and recorded as the final mass of soap obtained. Calculations Mass Of soap obtained (g) 7.28 grams Molar mass (g mol-1) (Sodium Oleate) 304 gram/mol-1 Number of moles of soap obtained (mol) 7.28à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½304=0.2023 Number of moles of soap theoretically obtained from stoichiometry (mol) Mol Of ester 7.32 M. mass of oleic acid 884 =8.2805à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½10-3 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 3 = 0.2024 mols Percentage Yield Mass Obtained 7.28 Theo. Mass 8.2805 =0.879à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½100= 87.9% The % yield was a bit high may be because there wee some impurities in it. Testing The Soap In testing the soap, a little portion was broken from it after calculating the percentage yields and other calculations and then was put in a test tube. Water was then put in it to see if it would react with it and produce foam which it did.

Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Global warming - Essay Example Allegre et al argues that CO2 can’t be a pollutant yet it is colorless and odorless. According to Wenner, there are several research evidence that shows that human activities cannot change the climate in any way. Curry argues that several research proofs that climate is insignificantly sensitive to carbon (IV) oxide increase in the atmosphere. Therefore the argument that emissions related to CO2 should be reduced is baseless. Curry believes that those supporting global warming have been exaggerating their findings using fabricated data. She believes that an organization like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been misled. â€Å"This pause in warming is at odds with the 2007 IPCC report, which expected  warming to increase at a rate of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade in the early 21st  century.† The fact that even the International Panel on Climate Change, a body with both human and financial resources, cannot prove the existence of climate change shows that it doesn’t exist. The proof that the temperature of the world has been stagnant for more than a decade is a proof enough that global warming is not well researched as a field but

Supply Chain Management in Hospital Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Supply Chain Management in Hospital - Term Paper Example Health ONE Supply Chain has a business base (HCA) in Nashville Tennessee, through the Continental Division hub at this time in Denver. HCA is a major system of leading healthcare facilities crossways the state. The Continental Division facilities include North Suburban, Presbyterian St. Luke's, Rose Medical Center, Medical Center of Aurora, Centennial Medical Plaza, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Swedish Medical Center and the latest Colorado ability Sky Ridge Medical Center. Denver in addition services the Wesley Medical middle in Kansas, OU Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Oklahoma, Presbyterian Tower, Everett Tower, Southwestern Medical Center and Edmond Medical Centers in Oklahoma. My present place with Health ONE as the Facility Coordinator at Rose Medical Center involves supervision product sharing and inventory organization for the ability. Responsibilities also comprise expense forecasting, new manufactured goods completion and monitoring manufactured goods utilizat ion as it relates to vendor contract fulfillment. I am still comparatively novel with HCA, with less than three years of service, so my perceptions of the managerial climate are based on an incomplete experience through the present arrangement and operations. In family member to the health and safety strategy, I must counsel the management on preventing hazards and injuries to themselves or others inside the business. The Health ONE is completely unaware of what a health a safety strategy and other workplace policies are; this is why you were brought on the plank. Describe your roles and everyday jobs in relation to such policies. Make management conscious of the officially permitted requirements moving health, safety, and wellbeing. Advise methods of safe operational Advice management to offer protective clothing and gear for employees at all times when on site overseeing the recording and psychoanalysis of in order on injuries, and appraisal overall safety performances.

The concept of God is incoherent Essay Example for Free

The concept of God is incoherent Essay The concept of God is incoherent. Discuss God is conceived of as a (supernatural) being that is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, all good, all just and all merciful. These attributions appear to create logical difficulties, sometimes singly, sometimes when taken together, though it is in some cases necessary to add facts about the world (such as the existence of evil) to create the incoherence. In such cases, it is the whole picture of the nature of God plus aspects of reality that is held to be incoherence. Firstly God is Omnipotence. Omnipotence by definition means that God is all powerful. If God were all powerful, he would be able to do anything, which would include any act which he can overcome with his own power. For example; creating a stone so heavy, that he could not lift it. However the suggestion that God makes a stone so heavy that he himself cannot lift it is actually a contradiction and so logically this makes it impossible. One might react to this by saying that God is indeed so powerful that he can defy the laws of logic. However, a better response, in my view, is that being unable to do what is logically impossible is not a genuine limitation on Gods power, since any proposition that purports to say that some logically impossible act has been performed is in fact nonsense. In such a proposition, no act has really been described. Omnipotence does create problems in other areas. In addition another problematic attribute of God is his omniscience. Omniscience means all knowing. The claim is that if God is all knowing. However this creates a problem, if God knows everything then surely that must indicted that we as human do not have free will. For example suppose I am going to be going on holiday in March God would know that this was going to happen. (Gods foreknowledge) In some way God had already planned what would happen next. Therefore it hardly seems to be my act. However on the other hand if I was to commit a bad act that I am planning to carry out surely in this case we can apply the same method as the first illustration. It seems not fair to blame me for what God knew I was going to do anyway. He could have stopped me! Some people claim that surely we shouldnt be blamed also for our sins Basically in other words, Gods omniscience seems to prevent us having free will. However, I think the theist can give a plausible answer to this particular accusation of Incoherence. If I am free, my doing a particular action X makes it the case that God knows that I have done it, so that the causal relation runs the opposite way from that claimed in the objection. This does not imply that I can make it the case that God knew it before the time when I did X, and therefore that I can affect the past. For God is usually thought of as existing outside of time. (It is perhaps only in this sense that he can correctly be described as eternal-he never begins or ceases to exist.) Of course, it must be Gods decision to give us freedom to perform one act rather than another.

The Components Of Attitude Education Essay

The Components Of Attitude Education Essay Attitude influences the way in which an individual behaves towards an object, institution, or a person. Our attitude towards a particular object may be influenced by our parents, school, teachers and society in which as an individual we live. According to Thurton (1929) attitude may also be defined as the sum total of mans inclination, feelings, threats and conviction about any specific topic. Karlinger (1973) holds that attitude is an integral part of personality to think, to feel, and perceive to behave towards a referent and cognitive object. Attitude is very important as it decides the behavior pattern of a person. Attitudes can be implicit and explicit. Implicit attitudes are unconscious, but still have an effect on our beliefs and behaviors. Explicit attitudes are those about which we are consciously aware of and they clearly influence our behaviors and beliefs. In the opinion of Bain (1927), an attitude is the relatively overt behavior of a person which affects his status. Jung (1921) defines attitude as a readiness of the psyche to act or react in a certain way. Components of Attitude Harrison (1976) has identified three components in attitude as under: Beliefs are what one considers desirable and undesirable. Attitudes are accompanied by emotions and influence each other. The individual displays his attitude through his action (behavior). However, Wenden (1991) proposed a broader definition of the concept attitude. He has introduced these terms with a little change, although the theme is almost the same. He says that the term attitude includes three components as Cognitive Affective Behavioral Cognitive component is made up of the beliefs and ideas or opinions about the object of the attitude. Rosenberg and Hovland (1969) suggest that cognitions include perceptions, concepts, and beliefs about the attitude object and these are usually expressed by verbal questions. Ajzen (1988) categorizes cognitive components into verbal and non-verbal responses. Cognitive responses of a verbal nature are expressions of beliefs about an attitude object. According to him, cognitive responses of a nonverbal kind are more difficult to assess, and the information they provide about attitudes is usually more indirect. Baker (1992) believes that the cognitive component involves thoughts and beliefs. Affective component refers to the feelings and emotions that one has towards an object, likes or dislikes, with or against. Ajzen (1988) believes that affective responses involve evaluations of, and feelings towards, the attitude object. Verbal affective responses can be expressions of admiration or disgust, appreciation or disdain. On the other hand, facial expressions and other bodily reactions are assumed to show nonverbal affective responses. Baker (1992) suggests that the affective component concerns feelings towards the target language, which may be love or hate of the language, a passion for the poetry of the target language, or an anxiety about learning it. Also, Hermann-Brennecke (2000) defines the affective component as a feeling-based evaluative component. The behavioral component refers to ones consisting actions or behavioral intentions towards the object. Rosenberg and Hovland (1969) evaluate the behavioral component towards a situation with regard to a persons overt actions or verbal statements concerning behavior. These components of attitude consist of a tendency of an individual to behave in a particular way towards and object. Only this component of attitude is visible as the other two can only be inferred. Kinds of Attitude There are three kinds of attitude; Positive Attitude is a kind of attitude that people are likely to act consistently with. Negative Attitude is a kind of attitude where people act inconsistently with. Neutral Attitude refers to a situation where people feel themselves reluctant to take any definite decision and find it difficult to make a choice either to go with something or not. With respect to positive attitude, people may become respective to the said attitude and tend to understand every situation which corresponds to it. On the other hand, with a negative attitude a persons act will not be consistent due to the distortion he wanted to accomplish. Attitude Formation Attitudes may be learned from the experiences we have. These include mostly mundane events such as being praised by our parents for expounding liberal attitudes, but also major life and world events. Â  The basic processes through which we learn attitudes remain the same throughout life, though as we grow older the attitudes we learn may be more complex, and the ones we already hold may become more resistant to change. Attitudes are learned from our experience of the social context around us. Research has indicated that there are several ways in which attitudes are acquired. One of the earliest agents of attitude formation is parents. Later on world experience, interaction with the outer world plays a significance role in the formation of attitude. Some of the psychological factors which play a vital role in attitude formation are discussed below: Operant conditioning. It involves voluntary responses. It is usually involve with the behavioral component of attitude. Behaviors tend to be repeated if they are reinforced. Similarly behaviors tend to be stopped when they are punished. Direct instruction. The adoption of attitudes is directly told by the parents, schools, community, friends, as well as the impact of religion etc. Social learning. It is based on modeling and observation. We observe others, if they are rewarded and receive appreciation for certain behaviors, we are reinforced and it is more likely, that we behave in the way to express this attitude. Rational analysis. It involves the careful weighing of evidence for, and against, a particular attitude. In other words it involves the careful observation of the evidence in order to take the right decision. Language Attitude Language attitudes are the feelings people have about their own language or the languages of others (Crystal, 1992). Language attitude is different from other general attitudes in the sense that they are specifically about language. It is normally considered that language attitudes are related to the language itself, its variety, its sound system, its semantic quality so on and so forth. In fact, the term language attitude is applied by sociolinguists today, includes the outlook and our affiliation towards the speakers of a particular languages. Fasold (1984) suggests that attitudes towards a language are often a reflection of attitudes towards members of various ethnic groups. Language attitudes are changing all the time because the economic situation of a country may change, for the better or the worse, and so produce a different language attitude among its speakers or potential speakers. The same changing language attitude goes for the choice of a foreign language where the niche and the needs determine the language status. In this respect, Calvet (2006) states: Human beings are not always able to choose their languages, their choice is determined first and foremost by the milieu in which they find themselves, by the languages that coexist in this niche and then by their needs, and very little by the typological situation other coexisting languages. Second Language-Learning Strategies All language learners use language learning strategies either consciously or unconsciously when processing new information and performing tasks in the language classroom. Since language classroom is like a problem-solving environment in which language learners are likely to face new input and difficult tasks given by their instructors, learners attempts to find the quickest or easiest way to do what is required, that is, using language learning strategies is inescapable. The term language learning strategy has been defined by many researchers. Wenden and Rubin (1987) define learning strategies as any sets of operations, steps, plans, routines used by the learner to facilitate the obtaining, storage, retrieval, and use of information. Richards and Platt (1992) state that learning strategies are intentional behavior and thoughts used by learners during learning so as to better help them understand, learn, or remember new information. Faerch Claus and Casper (1983) stress that a learning strategy is an attempt to develop linguistic and sociolinguistic competence in the target language. Classification of Language Learning Strategies by OMalley OMalley (1985) divides language learning strategies into three main subcategories Metacognitive strategies. It can be stated that metacognitive is a term to express executive function, strategies which require planning for learning, thinking about the learning process as it is taking place, monitoring of ones production or comprehension, and evaluating learning after an activity is completed. Among the main metacognitive strategies, it is possible to include advance organizers, directed attention, selective attention, self-management, functional planning, self-monitoring, delayed production, self-evaluation. Cognitive strategies. Cognitive strategies are more limited to specific learning tasks and they involve more direct manipulation of the learning material itself. Repetition, resourcing, translation, grouping, note taking, deduction, recombination, imagery, auditory representation, key word, contextualization, elaboration, transfer, inference are among the most important cognitive strategies. Socioaffective strategies. As to the socio affective strategies, it can be stated that they are related with social-mediating activity and transacting with others. Cooperation and question for clarification are the main socioaffective strategies (Brown 1987). Attitude and Motivation in L2 Learning In the field of language attitudes, the term attitude and motivation are closely connected and related (Gardner, 1985). He believes that languages involve the acquisition of skills or behavior patterns which are characteristic of another cultural community. He discusses that the relative degree of success in second language acquisition depends, to a certain extent, on the individuals attitude towards the other community as well as the beliefs in the community, which are relevant to the language learning process. He believes that the acquisition of a second language is a long and tough task so that any concept of motivation must include in it an attitudinal foundation to sustain the motivation. He proposes that attitudes play a role in language learning through their influence on motivation. Educators accept that students have individual learning styles and vary in their attitudes towards learning in general (Deci, Flaste 1995). Two major clusters of motivation have been introduced by Gardner and Lambert (1972). Integrative Motivation Instrumental Motivation When students want to learn a language to become part of a speech community (integrate). People who immigrate to new countries are some examples of people who may want to identify with the community around them. An important aspect of this form of language learning is using language for social interaction. This form of motivation is thought to produce success in language learners. Learners may make efforts to learn an L2 for some functional reason; to pass the examination to get a better job, or to get a place at university. In some learner context an instrumental motivation seems to be the major force determining success in L2 learning. For example, in settings where students are motivated to learn an L2 because it opens the educational and economic opportunities for them (Ellis, 1997). . Starks Paltridge (1996) mention that learning a language is closely related to the attitudes towards the language. Karahan (2007) suggests that positive language attitude let learner have positive orientation towards learning English. As such, attitudes may play a very crucial role in language learning as they would appear to influence students success directly. Ellis (2000) mentions that positive attitudes towards the L2 and its speakers can be expected to enhance learning while negative attitudes impede it. So, attitudes have an impact on the level of L2 proficiency achieved by individual learners. The learners with positive attitudes, who experience success, will have these attitudes reinforced. Similarly, learners negative attitude may be strengthened by lack of success. Holmes (1992) states that people develop attitudes towards languages which reflect their views about those who speak the languages, and the contexts and functions with which they are associated. Hermann-Brennecke (2000) points out the relationship between language and attitude language does not consist only of forms, patterns and rules but is simultaneously bound up with the social, subjective and objective world, since it also carries the attitudes, habits and cultural characteristics of its speakers. The Status of English in Pakistan In Pakistani community where different languages co-exist, language attitudes play an important role in the lives of the users of these languages. Today there are more non-native than native users of English and English has become a world language. English language enjoys a high status in Pakistan as it is the language of education, law, science, technology, Government and a lingua franca among the provinces. It has become a status symbol, a refine medium of communication. English in Pakistan is used as an official and a second language. It is spoken and used by a relatively small but extremely influential portion of countrys population in the domain of government administration, law, the military, the higher education, commerce and mass media (Baumgardner 1993). According to Ghani (2003) English in Pakistan serves as a gateway to success, to further education and to white collar jobs. It is the language of higher education and wider education and not the home language of the population except in the upper strata of society where it is spoken as a status symbol. Socially, English adopted as a second language has had a significant impact both economically and educationally. It continues to play an important role in the countrys commercial and industrial development and outside the government sector. Attitude of Pakistani Students towards Learning English Language policies have frequently failed in Pakistan where students attitudes to English language learning and use are mainly neglected. It is, therefore, important to study attitudes of students because if the learners have unfavorable attitudes to a target language, language policy implementation is unlikely to be successful (Baker,1992). Shahid Siddiqui (2007) discusses the present scenario in Pakistan and states that every student up to Intermediate level has to study English as compulsory subject. He further states that there are a large number of students who question the very existence of English as a compulsory subject. He claims that most of the students who belong to the rural background are not motivated to learn English. In Many cases the parents are not educated and cannot appreciate the purpose of learning English. As a result the students feel that English is perhaps the privilege of the elitist class and only the bright students can acquire it. There is a small group of students who realize the importance of English as it is a passport to employment. Most of the students are willing to learn English just to get degrees instead of attempting to learn the language skills. As a result, they spend most of their time in rote memorization which is considered the best way of passing the examination. Rahman (1999), in his survey of students attitudes towards learning English has found that almost all the students, including the deeni madrassahs want to learn English. However, it seems that the reason for learning English is instrumental for them. Factors Affecting Attitude towards Learning English There are certain factors which can be attributed as to affect the attitude of students towards learning English. Role of Parents. Parents play an important role in the education of their children. Their involvement and encouragement can help a child excel. Alberta Education encourages parents to take an active role in the education of their children and provides resources to support their involvement. Parents are the major socialization agents who play a vital role in shaping childrens attitudes towards ethnic groups and language learning. Parents can also be actively involved in the learning process and promote success by encouraging children to study the foreign language, monitor their performance, correct mistakes, etc. On the other hand, if the parents are not literate in the second language, their children remain deprived in terms of the availability of interaction in a second language at home. Role of Personality Traits in L2 Learning. Personality is considered a very important category of individual differences since the individual is often judged depending on her/his personality. It has been frequently observed that different learners attain highly different levels of L2 proficiency even though the circumstances in which these learners acquire a target language are almost identical. This inter individual variation can be accounted for by learner-internal factors. Extroversion/Introversion. Extroversion and introversion are personality characteristics that can influence language learning in a positive or negative way depending on the measured aspect. It is believed that extroverts, who are sociable and open to other people, are more successful in learning languages than introverts, because they have more contact with L2. On the other hand, well-organized and serious introverts are seen as better learners as far as the systematic study is concerned. Anxiety. Krashen (1985) maintained that anxiety inhibits the learners ability to process incoming language. An interaction is often found among anxiety, task difficulty, and ability, which interferes at the input, processing, retrieval, and at the output level. If anxiety impairs cognitive function, students who are anxious may learn less and also may not be able to demonstrate what they have learned. Therefore, they may experience even more failure, which in turn raise their anexity level. Age. Age has often been considered a major, if not the primary, factor determining success in learning a second or foreign language. Children are generally considered capable of acquiring a new language rapidly and with little effort, whereas adults are believed to be doomed to failure. Although older learners are indeed less likely than young children to master an L2, a close examination of studies relating age to language acquisition reveals that age differences reflect differences in the situation of learning rather than in capacity to learn. They do not demonstrate any constraint on the possibility that adults can become highly proficient, even native like, speakers of L2 (TODD, Marshall 2000). Degree of Instrumentality vs. Integration. It is supposed that the degree of instrumentality is also a an important factor whicvh effect the process of L2 learning. When the learners are motivated to learn a second language for utilitarian purpose i.e, to get a good job the level of success is supposed to be higher as compared to those who learn a second language for integrative purpose. According to Gardner and Lambart (1972 ) when a language is learnt for utilitarian purpose , the success in second language is supposed to be lower than if it is learnt for the integrative purpose but Meenakshi Verma states that this claim seems to be doubtful as the instrumentally motivated students are effectively learning English. The reason seems to be that the instrumental motivation works as a force to get a good job. Role of Teacher in L2 Learning. The role of teacher in affecting the attitudes of students cannot be falsified. A teacher plays a vital role for the students. He can serve as a facilitator, a guide, a fellow traveler, an advisor etc. If a teacher does not provide sufficient exposure to the target language, does not motivate the students, or does not provide them an opportunity to communicate, such teacher proves himself a threat for students. In such circumstances, if the student is asked to interact, the threat of teacher may hinder students progress. As Dornyei (2001) notes, teacher skills in motivating learners should be seen as central to teaching effectiveness. Students need both ample opportunities to learn and steady encouragement and support of their learning efforts. Because such motivation is unlikely to develop in a chaotic classroom, it is important that the teacher organize and manage the classroom as an effective learning environment. Furthermore, because anxious students are unlikely to develop motivation to learn, it is important that learning occurs within a relaxed and supportive atmosphere (Good and Brophy, 1994). In short, attitude is the sum total of a mans instinctions and feelings, prejudice or bias, preconceived notions, fears threats and convictions about any specified topic (Gardner, 1980). It can be described in other words as a mirror through which the inner emotions, feelings, beliefs, liking, disliking can be depicted. As these are the inner as well as the overt behaviors of individuals, they have a strong impact on decision making and finding the way for further progress. In the same perspective, an attitude towards learning a language depicts the way in which the learner feels about second language. It highlights the beliefs, in relation to the language which is being learnt. An attitude can be influenced by parents, teachers as well as by the society including the religion. Our affiliations, our interest as well as our purpose behind learning L2, all play a vital role in forming attitude towards learning a language. Having a review of the related literature, it may be concluded that these factors have a strong influence on the beliefs, liking and disliking of students and have an impact on their overall achievement in the second language learning. Rationale of the Study This study aims to examine the students attitude towards learning English. It focuses on the relationship between students attitude and their achievements in English language. In the light of this study, it is possible to put forward those factors like students attitude towards teachers, curriculum, and teachers methodologies that can be the causes of students low achievements in exams or their disinterest in the language learning. This study will show students positive or negative attitude towards learning English and their proficiency in it. It will take into account students experience and motivation provided by the teachers. As the aim of this study is to investigate the students attitude towards learning English language, it will show that either students want to learn English for integrative or for instrumental purpose. In short, this study is designed to highlight the attitude of male and female students and also to investigate the difference between the attitude of male and female students towards learning English.

Carter Cleaning Company Essay

1. Jennifer asks that you make a list of five specific HR problems you think Carter Cleaning will have to grapple with. 1. High Turnover. Carter Cleaning Company will more than likely face the HR issue of high turnover because of the nature of the business. Most service industry/retail jobs result in high turnover rates due to the demanding workload and hours in return for little compensation. Since the laundromat/ dry cleaning business does not require skilled labor, the employees are not committed to the development of their careers and therefore are much more willing to look for better employment. 2. Lack of training. Due to the nature of the employment, the workers are unskilled laborers and therefore lack any training whatsoever in regards to the business functions with the exception of their daily responsibilities. 3. Employees not working at their peak performance. Since the employees are not skilled laborers they therefore lack drive and determination to work at their top levels of performance. They may not necessarily be unmotivated to work at all but they would more than likely be inclined to do the bare minimum to collect a paycheck. 4. Grievance/employee dissatisfaction. Service/retail jobs function under very similar qualifications that tend to arouse discontent and disenchantment: pay, time/hours, and work-load. I do not expect that Carter Cleaning Company will be immune to this. 5. Economic trends. It is my experience that service industries, especially those not considered a necessity, tend to be subject to economic trends such as booms and depressions. A laundromat/dry cleaning business is not overwhelmingly considered a must-have and therefore will be subject to changes in the economy and dispensable or spendable cash. 2. And she asks, what would you do first if you were me, Jennifer Carter? If I were Jennifer Carter the first thing I would do as a trouble shooter/ problem solver would be to conduct a performance appraisal on three different levels to gauge any problem areas that need attention: at the store level for profitability, at the management level to discern effective/ineffective management practices, and at the employee level to determine employee satisfaction and productivity levels. Although these three levels are interconnected in business practice, examining each independently first would allow for easier  judgment of problematic issues and areas that need remedying. Jennifer Carter could use this information to diagnose and cure the potential for loss of profits, inefficiency, and customer dissatisfaction at any store that showed these symptoms as well as implement not only corrective but preventative HR practices across the board. She could also train managers who needed the redirection in their practices regarding basic managerial responsibilities, employee relations, or any other issues deemed needing adjustment as well as reward exceptional managers based on their assessments. Furthermore, Ms. Carter could evaluate employees who showed potential for increased responsibility and promotion as well as provide useful training for those who demonstrated a lack of skill. An evaluation and appraisal overall would be beneficial because there is always room for improvement in any business, none excluded. By recognizing problem areas and areas of success steps could be taken to fix those problems and also expand upon the things that are going right.

Red Bull

Could It position the product in other ways? The product of red bull was set-up to market within energy drinks, the notions of market segmentation, targeting and positioning are key to the success of firms' marketing efforts has concentrated on building relationship based on partnerships with sporting events and Iconic athletes . The target customers are around athletes , teenagers, students, drivers, clubbers, young business people and farmers.The marketing strategies can position the red bull in other ways, it was sponsored extreme sports events before, such as traditional television marketing program, radio r pop stars advertising, event marketing in sports and competition, organized public lecture, sent the sample to the sports company with free cases of its energy drink and encouraged them to throw a party. We also have lots of promotion to popularize; this can be changed values and needs of each target consumer.The lovely packages can be attracted the female customers. Besides, it can be promoted some limited edition of packages for different cities. Such as, it can be found celebrity endorsement and designed the packages with the photos of celebrities which can increase the sales. Red Bull can be created a new line which has extra caffeine. The new products can provide people more powerful than the original version and the cans can be increased the capacity from mall to mall with the same price. This new version of extra caffeine can be promoted to the long-time workers.Red Bull improves performance, especially during times of increased stress or strain, increases concentration and improves reaction speed and stimulates metabolism. Also, Red Bull can be created a new flavor which is cocktail favor and can be used as a very nice mixer with alcohol. It is very convenient for the people who love going to party or clubbing. Red Bull can be created a new product which not only for energy drinks. It could be a food like a power bar or candy. They can use a â⠂¬Å"Word of mouth† strategy. Red Bull Q1. How will you characterize Red Bull's overall global marketing strategy? Red Bull has built an image as a trendy energy drink, catering to young adults and young professionals between the age groups of (16-29) years. It also targets young club-goers and private parties in order to spread its picture as a stylish drink. It also believes that it is not just selling a beverage, but instead it is selling a ‘way of life’. Red Bull also uses a catchy slogan as ‘Red Bull gives you wings’. These non –traditional marketing strategies of Red Bull are not unique to any market. The term ‘Glocal’ means to market globally, yet tailor the ‘message’ to appeal to local tastes. Red Bull does not follow a Glocal Marketing Strategy, as it does not alter the marketing techniques to any particular country. In all the markets, they cater to the same crowd and use the same pricing, distribution and advertising methods. Red Bull only offers its product in one size (250ml) cans, and design all over the world. Businesses that use global marketing embark on the same product, same marketing techniques and even the same brand names and packaging in all markets. Red Bull believes in marketing its product with one brand image all over the world. Hence, I can characterize Red Bull’s overall marketing strategy as ‘Global’. In addition, Red Bull does not use local marketing strategies as they do not conform to local considerations. Example Red Bull offers only two varieties in all the countries irrespective of the local demand or taste for a new variant. It also uses the same marketing campaigns of ‘buzz marketing' or word-of-mouth in all the countries, irrespective of the nature of market in a particular country. Q.2 Argue for the most relevant segmentation criteria to be used in the International Marketing Selection process. The International Market Selection Process is a very complex process of foreign market screening that considers many factors. For a product like Red Bull, the size and per capita income of its target market is the most important criteria used in International Market Selection. Red Bull’s target market is young adults and young professional (aged 16-22). If the number of people in this age – group form a small fragment of the country’s overall population, then entering such a market would be risky and not profitable enough. Red Bull has built a brand image of a youthful energy drink and hence it can be successful only in markets that have a large number of young people. Red bull has dominated the energy market for a decade now. Its popularity and stylish design has allowed it to be charged at a premium price. Red Bull is a stylish and vibrant energy drink that is priced at least five times higher than the ordinary soft drink. Red Bull strongly believes that it offers its consumers something more than a beverage; it believes that it offers them a ‘way of life.’ It provides its consumers with energy and related brainpower to make the most of their time. Due to all of the above reasons, Red Bull can afford to price itself at such a high price. Therefore, it is important that Red Bull chooses those markets where the people have the financial capacity to purchase their product Q3. Which changes would you suggest for Red Bull's future global marketing mix, in order to meet the future challenges? After seeing the success that Red Bull has got in the energy drinks market, new brands are entering this market. Hence, it is essential for Red Bull to make certain changes in its marketing, production and distribution strategies. Red Bull offers only one product with two flavor varieties. The new age consumers want variety hence; Red Bull should launch a new flavor depending on local taste. Also, Red Bull currently offers only one packaging size, it can introduce 1 litre Red Bull bottles that will be beneficial for the Clubs owners in terms of Raw Material costs and Red Bull in terms of Manufacturing costs. Red Bull’s pricing strategy has been beneficial to the company however, they should lower their prices a little in order to gain more consumers in certain markets. The marketing strategies of Red Bull are highly global. They do not alter their strategies according to local considerations. In order to gain an edge in this competitive global market it is essential for Red Bull to start taking local demands and tastes into consideration. Red Bull’s distribution strategy targets small retailers and distributors that spread the brand name through word of mouth to local consumers. They also use college students to help distribute the product. One thing that they can do in order to improve their product placement is start Red Bull kiosks. This can also act as a marketing tool. Red Bull uses non- traditional and out of the promotion techniques. They spend 30% of their revenue on marketing and promotion. I believe that their unique marketing techniques have worked for them and they should continue with them even in the future. Q.4 Red Bull is available in large cities in India across super markets, restaurants and bars. Evaluate the opportunities for market expansion in India. Red Bull has already targeted the right market in India i.e. young adults and professionals. Hence, in order to expand in India Red Bull needs to find new ways of attracting this crowd. Red Bull is priced at a high rate, youngsters get a fixed budget every month and cannot afford to spend so much regularly on an energy drink. Hence, Red Bull should be made available in college cafeterias at subsidized rates. In addition, Red Bull should be made available at call centers and night offices as a more energetic substitute to coffee. Red Bull contains less amount of caffeine than the amount of caffeine in a coffee cup. This information can be used to promote Red Bull over coffee. India has a large number of cheaper substitutes of energy drinks, therefore in order to tap the huge market share of India it is advisable that Red Bull reduce its prices for the Indian Market. Another strategy that Red Bull can use to expand in the Indian Market is to carter to the larger number of truck drivers that India has. Red Bull originally cartered to provide energy to truck drivers. It can start following the same strategy in order to increase its consumer base in India. It can start by making Red Bull available at highway dhabbas, and shops. However, in order to carter to the truck drivers Red Bull would need to slash its prices, until that is done this strategy will not work. Thus by following the above mentioned ways Red Bull can build a stronger and larger consumer base in India. Red Bull Could It position the product in other ways? The product of red bull was set-up to market within energy drinks, the notions of market segmentation, targeting and positioning are key to the success of firms' marketing efforts has concentrated on building relationship based on partnerships with sporting events and Iconic athletes . The target customers are around athletes , teenagers, students, drivers, clubbers, young business people and farmers.The marketing strategies can position the red bull in other ways, it was sponsored extreme sports events before, such as traditional television marketing program, radio r pop stars advertising, event marketing in sports and competition, organized public lecture, sent the sample to the sports company with free cases of its energy drink and encouraged them to throw a party. We also have lots of promotion to popularize; this can be changed values and needs of each target consumer.The lovely packages can be attracted the female customers. Besides, it can be promoted some limited edition of packages for different cities. Such as, it can be found celebrity endorsement and designed the packages with the photos of celebrities which can increase the sales. Red Bull can be created a new line which has extra caffeine. The new products can provide people more powerful than the original version and the cans can be increased the capacity from mall to mall with the same price. This new version of extra caffeine can be promoted to the long-time workers.Red Bull improves performance, especially during times of increased stress or strain, increases concentration and improves reaction speed and stimulates metabolism. Also, Red Bull can be created a new flavor which is cocktail favor and can be used as a very nice mixer with alcohol. It is very convenient for the people who love going to party or clubbing. Red Bull can be created a new product which not only for energy drinks. It could be a food like a power bar or candy. They can use a â⠂¬Å"Word of mouth† strategy. Red Bull Q1. How will you characterize Red Bull's overall global marketing strategy? Red Bull has built an image as a trendy energy drink, catering to young adults and young professionals between the age groups of (16-29) years. It also targets young club-goers and private parties in order to spread its picture as a stylish drink. It also believes that it is not just selling a beverage, but instead it is selling a ‘way of life’. Red Bull also uses a catchy slogan as ‘Red Bull gives you wings’. These non –traditional marketing strategies of Red Bull are not unique to any market. The term ‘Glocal’ means to market globally, yet tailor the ‘message’ to appeal to local tastes. Red Bull does not follow a Glocal Marketing Strategy, as it does not alter the marketing techniques to any particular country. In all the markets, they cater to the same crowd and use the same pricing, distribution and advertising methods. Red Bull only offers its product in one size (250ml) cans, and design all over the world. Businesses that use global marketing embark on the same product, same marketing techniques and even the same brand names and packaging in all markets. Red Bull believes in marketing its product with one brand image all over the world. Hence, I can characterize Red Bull’s overall marketing strategy as ‘Global’. In addition, Red Bull does not use local marketing strategies as they do not conform to local considerations. Example Red Bull offers only two varieties in all the countries irrespective of the local demand or taste for a new variant. It also uses the same marketing campaigns of ‘buzz marketing' or word-of-mouth in all the countries, irrespective of the nature of market in a particular country. Q.2 Argue for the most relevant segmentation criteria to be used in the International Marketing Selection process. The International Market Selection Process is a very complex process of foreign market screening that considers many factors. For a product like Red Bull, the size and per capita income of its target market is the most important criteria used in International Market Selection. Red Bull’s target market is young adults and young professional (aged 16-22). If the number of people in this age – group form a small fragment of the country’s overall population, then entering such a market would be risky and not profitable enough. Red Bull has built a brand image of a youthful energy drink and hence it can be successful only in markets that have a large number of young people. Red bull has dominated the energy market for a decade now. Its popularity and stylish design has allowed it to be charged at a premium price. Red Bull is a stylish and vibrant energy drink that is priced at least five times higher than the ordinary soft drink. Red Bull strongly believes that it offers its consumers something more than a beverage; it believes that it offers them a ‘way of life.’ It provides its consumers with energy and related brainpower to make the most of their time. Due to all of the above reasons, Red Bull can afford to price itself at such a high price. Therefore, it is important that Red Bull chooses those markets where the people have the financial capacity to purchase their product Q3. Which changes would you suggest for Red Bull's future global marketing mix, in order to meet the future challenges? After seeing the success that Red Bull has got in the energy drinks market, new brands are entering this market. Hence, it is essential for Red Bull to make certain changes in its marketing, production and distribution strategies. Red Bull offers only one product with two flavor varieties. The new age consumers want variety hence; Red Bull should launch a new flavor depending on local taste. Also, Red Bull currently offers only one packaging size, it can introduce 1 litre Red Bull bottles that will be beneficial for the Clubs owners in terms of Raw Material costs and Red Bull in terms of Manufacturing costs. Red Bull’s pricing strategy has been beneficial to the company however, they should lower their prices a little in order to gain more consumers in certain markets. The marketing strategies of Red Bull are highly global. They do not alter their strategies according to local considerations. In order to gain an edge in this competitive global market it is essential for Red Bull to start taking local demands and tastes into consideration. Red Bull’s distribution strategy targets small retailers and distributors that spread the brand name through word of mouth to local consumers. They also use college students to help distribute the product. One thing that they can do in order to improve their product placement is start Red Bull kiosks. This can also act as a marketing tool. Red Bull uses non- traditional and out of the promotion techniques. They spend 30% of their revenue on marketing and promotion. I believe that their unique marketing techniques have worked for them and they should continue with them even in the future. Q.4 Red Bull is available in large cities in India across super markets, restaurants and bars. Evaluate the opportunities for market expansion in India. Red Bull has already targeted the right market in India i.e. young adults and professionals. Hence, in order to expand in India Red Bull needs to find new ways of attracting this crowd. Red Bull is priced at a high rate, youngsters get a fixed budget every month and cannot afford to spend so much regularly on an energy drink. Hence, Red Bull should be made available in college cafeterias at subsidized rates. In addition, Red Bull should be made available at call centers and night offices as a more energetic substitute to coffee. Red Bull contains less amount of caffeine than the amount of caffeine in a coffee cup. This information can be used to promote Red Bull over coffee. India has a large number of cheaper substitutes of energy drinks, therefore in order to tap the huge market share of India it is advisable that Red Bull reduce its prices for the Indian Market. Another strategy that Red Bull can use to expand in the Indian Market is to carter to the larger number of truck drivers that India has. Red Bull originally cartered to provide energy to truck drivers. It can start following the same strategy in order to increase its consumer base in India. It can start by making Red Bull available at highway dhabbas, and shops. However, in order to carter to the truck drivers Red Bull would need to slash its prices, until that is done this strategy will not work. Thus by following the above mentioned ways Red Bull can build a stronger and larger consumer base in India. Red Bull Target market Red Bull was one of the first Energy Drink. It gave energy to people who want to be physically and mentally fit from 1982. As the company reported, in 2011 red bull had sold 4. 631 billion cans over the world with 11. 4 per cent increase of 2011. In selling, profits and productivity the data illustrated were the highest one of the company. (www. redbull. com) Moreover, as figure1 illustrated, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink brand all over the world from 2006 to 2012. Clearly target market is one of the most significant reasons for the Red Bull’s success.As the company’s slogan says, â€Å"Red Bull gives you wings†. Red Bull gave wings from the beginning and spread its wings quickly over the world. Until 2011, Red Bull was available in 164 countries. (www. redbull. com) Therefore, it is not necessary for Red Bull to set segmentations by geographic or geodemograhic. Besides, Red Bull is improved for people to create a clearly mind, dynamic p erformance and an active lifestyle. In other words, Red Bull helps people to be active physically and psychologically and have a zest life.Therefore it is also not useful for Red Bull to set segmentation by profile or psychographic. Red Bull is a drink to supply energy and increase endurance which could struggle for the physical or mental tired. It helps people to meet the challenges of everyday life such as work, drive, study and sports. (www. redbull. com) According to the text book, the definition of behavioural segmentation is the segmentation which slices consumers on the basis of how they act towards, feel about or use a product. Solomon, et al,2009) Consequently, the best way for Red Bull to set the target market is behavioral segmentation. Red Bull becomes increasingly important in people’s lives when they are working, studying, doing sports and driving. Workers and students are the most significant parts of Red Bull’s target market. Red Bull can make students and workers’ mind clearly. For students all over the world the Red Bull is as important as the pencils and paper. It makes students concentrate and perform well. And it provides students enough energy to the leisure time as well.It is essential for someone who works hard and pursues better performance. Sport is Red Bull’s main point. Red Bull supports about 500 professional athletes over the world. It makes sportsman physically and mentally fit. Red Bull provides the athletes a convenient way to improve their endurance, concentration and speed. (www. redbull. com) Drivers are the other large parts of the target market. According to the research from psychopharmacologist Dr. Joris Verster and his colleagues of Utrecht University, Red Bull can reduce driver sleepiness and improve driving performance. Joris Verster, 2010) | Red Bull enhances concentration, reaction speed and vigilance. Red Bull also focuses on the customer who plays video games, goes out day and night. In short, the target market of Red Bull is the customer who needs more energy physically and mentally. Figure1: Top Selling Energy Drink Brands 2006-2012 (Bevnet, 2012) Reference: Bevnet, 2012, Top Selling Energy Drink Brands 2006-2012, http://www. energyfiend. com/the-15-top-energy-drink-brands marketing management†¦. Red Bull, , www. redbull. com Joris Verster, SAFE DRIVING STUDY, access at Springerlink. com. Red Bull Could It position the product in other ways? The product of red bull was set-up to market within energy drinks, the notions of market segmentation, targeting and positioning are key to the success of firms' marketing efforts has concentrated on building relationship based on partnerships with sporting events and Iconic athletes . The target customers are around athletes , teenagers, students, drivers, clubbers, young business people and farmers.The marketing strategies can position the red bull in other ways, it was sponsored extreme sports events before, such as traditional television marketing program, radio r pop stars advertising, event marketing in sports and competition, organized public lecture, sent the sample to the sports company with free cases of its energy drink and encouraged them to throw a party. We also have lots of promotion to popularize; this can be changed values and needs of each target consumer.The lovely packages can be attracted the female customers. Besides, it can be promoted some limited edition of packages for different cities. Such as, it can be found celebrity endorsement and designed the packages with the photos of celebrities which can increase the sales. Red Bull can be created a new line which has extra caffeine. The new products can provide people more powerful than the original version and the cans can be increased the capacity from mall to mall with the same price. This new version of extra caffeine can be promoted to the long-time workers.Red Bull improves performance, especially during times of increased stress or strain, increases concentration and improves reaction speed and stimulates metabolism. Also, Red Bull can be created a new flavor which is cocktail favor and can be used as a very nice mixer with alcohol. It is very convenient for the people who love going to party or clubbing. Red Bull can be created a new product which not only for energy drinks. It could be a food like a power bar or candy. They can use a â⠂¬Å"Word of mouth† strategy.

Free Essays on ANALYSIS OF THE KEY MARKETING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE UK NEWSPAPER MARKET

CONTENTS TERMS OF REFERENCE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.1 PROCEDURE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..2 FINDING†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...3 CONCLUSIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...4 RECOMMEDATIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 1. TERMS OF REFERNCE The news corporation the world’s leading publisher of English language newspapers. The news Corporation is singly run by Rupert Murdoch were it as several markets across the globe. The New Corporation would like an independent and objective analysis of their newspaper publishing interests in the UK. 2. PROCEDURE In order to ascertain the precise marketing environmental issues affecting the UK newspaper market I adopted the following procedures: 1) Analysis of the keys marketing environment issues using porter’s five forces 2) Analysis of the Newspapers competitive position: Analyse competitor’s market share to determine the relative power of each organisation in the newspaper market. 3) Environmental priorities – matrix 4) Recommendation 3. FINDINGS The competitive environment include those factors with which the organisation comes into closet contact, factors that have a rather clear and immediate impact on its success. The analytical framework which I’ll be using to analyse the competeitive environment is porter’s five forces which basically outline the COMPETITIVE RIVALRY, THREAT OF ENTRY, THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES, THE POWER OF BUYER, and THE POWER OF SUPPLIERS. The reason why I am using this analytical framework is to illustrate issues that are affecting the newspaper market, to enable the News Corporation to develop a ... Free Essays on ANALYSIS OF THE KEY MARKETING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE UK NEWSPAPER MARKET Free Essays on ANALYSIS OF THE KEY MARKETING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE UK NEWSPAPER MARKET CONTENTS TERMS OF REFERENCE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.1 PROCEDURE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..2 FINDING†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...3 CONCLUSIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...4 RECOMMEDATIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 1. TERMS OF REFERNCE The news corporation the world’s leading publisher of English language newspapers. The news Corporation is singly run by Rupert Murdoch were it as several markets across the globe. The New Corporation would like an independent and objective analysis of their newspaper publishing interests in the UK. 2. PROCEDURE In order to ascertain the precise marketing environmental issues affecting the UK newspaper market I adopted the following procedures: 1) Analysis of the keys marketing environment issues using porter’s five forces 2) Analysis of the Newspapers competitive position: Analyse competitor’s market share to determine the relative power of each organisation in the newspaper market. 3) Environmental priorities – matrix 4) Recommendation 3. FINDINGS The competitive environment include those factors with which the organisation comes into closet contact, factors that have a rather clear and immediate impact on its success. The analytical framework which I’ll be using to analyse the competeitive environment is porter’s five forces which basically outline the COMPETITIVE RIVALRY, THREAT OF ENTRY, THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES, THE POWER OF BUYER, and THE POWER OF SUPPLIERS. The reason why I am using this analytical framework is to illustrate issues that are affecting the newspaper market, to enable the News Corporation to develop a ...

Eastman Kodak Essays

Eastman Kodak Essays Eastman Kodak Essay Eastman Kodak Essay Through this slogan formulated by its founder George Eastman, Eastman Kodak Company revolutionized and set off as the pioneer in modern imaging. From its initial introduction of the dry glass plate process technology and machine, Kodak has further introduced novel technologies in imaging, which throughout the years, redefined societys life styles. Through its basic principles of low-cost mass production, extensive advertising, focus on customers and international distribution, Kodak has become one of the worlds most recognized brands with its products becoming the markets beacon for the photographic industry for more than a century now. With the emergence of competition and antitrust concerns, Kodak has evolved, through diversification strategies, into an enormous company catering to pharmaceutical, health care, electrical, computer and chemical products among others. The company, as a consequence, moved away from its core competencies, was unable to compete with its rivals competently and has suffered from heavy losses. As his first move to answer this predicament, newly appointed chief executive officer George MC Fisher has cut down costs and debts through divestiture of non-imaging related business segments. At present, Kodak is engaged primarily in developing, manufacturing and marketing traditional silver-halide photoimaging products, services and solutions for consumers, professionals, healthcare providers, the entertainment industry and other commercial customers. In its continuing thrust to foster long-term growth, development and success, Eastman Kodak Company is now faced with the dilemma to sustain in the mature and slow-growing silver-halide business. In addition, the company is contending with a legion of competitors to achieve and sustain a dominant position in the emerging digital imaging business, which at the moment poses encouraging and promising opportunities. Technological Environment. The influx of technological advancements into the photographic marketplace has presented the industry with a unique set of challenges and possibilities. Technological discoveries and enhancements may foster, or even hasten, the growth of the traditional silver-halide market. The Advanced Photo System (APS), for example, a product of technological advancement currently being developed by nig industry players may bring silver-halide-based products into a higher level. In addition, with the onset of digital technology, the industry is faced with chance to expand its business through venturing more into digital imaging which is currently putting forth enticing opportunities. On the downside, considering the electronic nature of the products offered in line with digital imaging (eg. Scanners, printers, etc.), entry of potential competitors, particularly from the electronics group who may have equally competent resources and capabilities, is at a height. As a result, the structure of the industry may be altered. Socio-Cultural Environment. With societys increasing awareness over environmental preservation, possible hindrance in the growth of the players in the industry is present, The film marketed by these companies, as an example, are currently packaged in plastic non-biodegradable tube cases. As a response to environmental concerns and grievances, repackaging using nature-friendly materials may be ensued. This also holds true with single-use cameras (SUCs) which is primarily composed of plastic non-biodegradable materials. Here, companies may either reduce its margin or impose higher prices over its products in repackaging its products to be environmental-friendly brought by a possible increase in its production cost. The markets culture may also impede the entry of global industry players. As an example, with Japans resistance to Western influence and its societys higher preference over locally made products, foreign industry players would most likely have difficulty in penetrating in this geographical segment. In addition, with the fact ascertained that photographic products are usually used in instances of special occasions (eg. weddings, birthdays, holidays, fiestas, etc.), regularity of celebration of these occasions would deeply affect the demand of the products. Economic Environment. The global scale of the photographic market presents some threats to its core business. Sales in its geographical segments would generally differ according to a countrys economic state. Sluggish economy or economies under recession would decrease sales as a result of delayed spending on leisure goods?. In addition to the state of the economy, tariff and foreign trade laws may render leisure good spending in lull brought by higher prices as a result of the duties imposed on the goods. Tourism economy, as a whole, has a direct effect on the industry. As the number of tourists increase, usage of photographic materials would most likely increase demand. Legal or Political Environment. Legal influences may hamper the growth of some players in the industry. Antitrust laws, for example, may limit expansion of industry players through its provisions. On the brighter side, however, this may protect the position of a company in the market. This holds true in the case of Kodak and Polaroid in the late 1980s when Kodak engaged into marketing instant cameras. Foreign laws, in addition, in its move to protect local firms, may thwart the entry of global producers in its market. Furthermore, patent and proprietary rights laws would deter firms to expand, venture, and produce patented products. Threat of New Entrants. With great barriers, the threat of new entrants in the industry is at a low level. This is brought about by the sizeable investment required in procuring manufacturing equipments for a potential entrant. Furthermore, marketing costs are also high for these entrants for it to be able to topple down existing players or even penetrate the market. This is in view of the current industry players, which if characterized, are established and successfully positioned in the market obtaining brand loyalty. Also, with the length of these companies operations in mind, they have been riding down the experience curve; as a result, economies of scale and cost advantage have already been achieved. In addition, prospecting players must introduce into the market differentiated products that are more enhanced than that offered by existing players, which would require it to spend a substantial amount in research and development projects. However, with the emerging digital imaging in view, the risk posed by potential industry entrants may be shifted from a low level to a moderate one. This is in view, as stated in the earlier part, of the electronic nature of some products offered by the digital imaging technology which has the possibility of attracting electronic companies who may possess capabilities and competencies that could equal or even exceed that of the current industry players. Rivalry Among Established Competitors. Firms under the photographic industry operate in an oligopolistic environment were few of the member firms share dominance such as Eastman Kodak, Agfa and Fuji Films. Competition among these firms is at a fierce level given the fact of its slow-growth particularly in the traditional silver-halide photography. Here, with demand conditions at a moderate level of progress, firms closely compete to capture and increase market share through price wars. Exit barriers within the industry is at a high level as well contributing to the intense rivalry among industry players. Bargaining Power of Buyers. The influence set forth by the buyers in the industry is at a moderate degree. Though products offered by the firms in the industry have attained brand loyalty, cost advantage and economies of scale and has a lesser threat of substitute products (further discussions to be made in the later part), still, firms are forced by buyers to bargain for lower prices by the quantity of their purchase?. In addition, with price wars evident among industry players, buyers take advantage on playing off with these firms to obtain cheaper costs or even present a threat of providing for a lesser shelf space. Bargaining Power of Suppliers. The pressure exerted by the suppliers over the firms in the industry is at a low degree. Silver, for example, a major raw material in the industry is widely available. It is evidenced with the fact that in the past years, no direct relationship can be established that price of the commodity has been affected by fluctuations in the availability and price of raw materials. In fact, the photographic industry consumes about one-fourth of the global demand for silver. Furthermore, with the high level of availability of packaging materials, in this case plastic tubes and canisters, and boxes, bargaining power of suppliers is at a lesser scale. Threat of Substitute Products. With high switching cost to substitute products, in this case video cameras, a low extent of threat is shown. Aside from the cost factor, accessibility of outputs and simplicity of operation ensure the industry of low level of preference toward substitutes. Here, pictures can easily be obtained and seen without the use of any other devices, unlike videotapes which requires videocassette players for it to be viewed. In addition, cameras are more preferred than video recorders or cameras with the fact that video recorders are more complex in operation as compared with cameras. As a part of a hyperactive competitive environment, Eastman Kodak must be able to efficiently and effectively strategize in order for it to be able to sustain its position in all areas of the market, existing and emerging alike. However, the success of the companys adopted strategy would depend upon the reaction of its competitors; thus, it is imperative that in its strategies, competitors competitive profile must be given proper consideration. Kodak is faced with a legion of competitors; among which, Polaroid, Agfa, Fuji and Konica pose as the major rivals of the company. Polaroid. Between the latter mentioned competitor, Polaroid shows the lesser degree of competition with the fact that Kodak is unable to directly compete in the instant photo imaging business as a result of a previously ruled antitrust lawsuit. As a result, competition between the two companies would be on attracting and capturing the markets preference between instant photography and traditional silver-halide imaging. Agfa. Agfa, known as the Kodak of Europe for its typically the same business strategy, enjoys dominance over the European market. As the second largest chemical manufacturing company, the company offers its products (particularly in its developing equipment and imaging business) at a lower price compared to that of its competitors through the concept of vertical integration a strategy previously enjoyed by Kodak until the time it has divested of its chemical manufacturing business, Eastman Chemicals, in 1993?. Its current move to increase market share in the US market through its advertisement campaign of free film rolls clearly shows the seriousness of the company to compete with Kodak. In addition, with its less-priced products at hand, the company demonstrates a greater degree of competition for Kodak. Fuji Photo Film Company. Among its competitors, Fuji presents to be the closest rival of Kodak. With its product offerings at the same nature with that of Kodak, the degree of their rivalry may also be evidenced by the continued battle of lawsuits. The fierce competition between these firms stem from Fujis offering of low-priced films which stirred and reduced Kodaks market share by 10%. Also, Fujis strong foothold in the Japanese market which hampered Kodaks position and made the latter felt in an unfair situation contributed to the perceived battle. Recently, in its move to topple over Kodak, Fuji moved for an establishment of a US division focusing solely on digital imaging. Through this move, the company will be able to market products which it has already offered in its Japanese market. Furthermore, it has proposals of hooking-up with computer companies for its products to be integrated in computer systems. These, among others, present a more pronounced competition for Kodak. Other Competitors. Aside from the earlier discussed companies, Konica is another competitor of Kodak in the imaging business. It has been said that together with Agfa and Fuji, Konica was able to decrease Kodaks market share in the traditional imaging and photofinishing business. Though at a lesser degree, private label films also compete with Kodak. Other competitors of Kodak are camera manufacturers such as Canon, Minolta, and Olympus. With the dawn of digital imaging, electronic and computer companies agitates competition to be stiffer.