Going global, Acting local

Introduction According to Swart and Kinnie (2003), globalization is closely related to international marketing. Nonetheless, some of the accelerating factors that have led to globalization include increased foreign direct investment and exports. Nonetheless, globalization is widely considered to be an integration of financial markets (Richard Geoffrey, 2004). In respect to this, globalization in international business is believed to have various facets (Pech Slade, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Going global, Acting local specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With respect to this, Mintzberg and Lampell (2000) believed that globalization is the merging of separate and distinct national markets to a single enormous global market. On the other hand, it is believed by Mangena and Brent (2006) that product globalization entail sourcing of services and goods from various locations around the world in order to tak e advantage of differences in terms of their quality and cost factors of production. On the other hand, localization relates to differentiation where by differences of tastes and preferences of customers are put into consideration in business operations (Krozer, 2008). Nonetheless, glocalization is taken to be the integration of both globalization and localization where by a business entity positions itself both globally and locally. In respect to this, the paper explores different definitions of globalization, localization and glocalization and thereafter analyzes product as a marketing mix of Disneyland, IKEA and MacDonald in their globalization, localization and glocalization strategies (Brecher Tim, 2004). A discussion and debate on global, local and glocal strategies based on Disneyland, IKEA and MacDonald brands Globalization According to Yucel (2009), globalization is the relentless integration of markets, nations and technologies in enabling people, organizations and nations to reach the world farther, deeper, faster and cheaper than ever before. This helps in spreading free capitalization of the market to all countries of the world. From this definition, Barnet (2009) believed that globalization is a process that helps in promoting integration of ideas, culture, goods and services. Yet still, according to Hanna (2010), globalization is a process that is driven by two main macro factors which include reduction of barriers to flow of services and goods and rapid technological change. This was believed by Gerardo and Wong (2008) to be the major inhibiting factors to global integration of business before the Second World War. However, with the end of the war, global institutions such as United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund among others were formed to help reduce these barriers hence paving way for globalization to take effect (Gerardo Wong, 2008). By doing so, globalization was boosted.Advertising Looking for report on business e conomics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, it was postulated by Fredrickson (2010) that technological development that have been experienced in the recent years in the field of information processing, communication and transportation technologies have been paramount in advancing globalization. This position was also advanced by Eckerson (2006) who believed that modern technologies have enabled products and services to be developed with global standardized features. As a result, consumer preferences and tastes have become global hence contributing to globalization. Example of globalization IKEA globalization strategy used technology in designing unassembled furniture that could be easily shipped to any part of the world. This strategy by IKEA was taken so that its products could be easily spread to all corners of the globe as clients were given the option of assembling their own products. However, globalization str ategy applied by Disneyland failed to appeal to other markets in its initial stages as it was designed specifically for the US market. Later, the firm was able to diversify its entertainment products to fit various regional markets hence attaining a global status. On the other hand, Macdonald’s was successfully in going global as it took advantage of advanced technology which it used in streamlining services and improving its efficiency in its products provision. Localization The word localization is given different definitions by different authorities (Ehnert, 2009). According to Drummond and Ruth (2008), localization is defined as a process of adapting a product or a service to a locality. Moreover, it is defined by Burn and Barnett (2008) as an adaptation of a product or a service to an environment that is not native. Furthermore, location according to Bruijn and Veld (2010) is defined as the business operation in various states while adjusting these products and services to suite their respective states. For that case, Botha and Brink (2007) postulated that localization focuses on reducing differences in provision of products and services in order to suite these local needs in the operating environment. In addition, localization is defined to be a process that is based on various theoretical foundations (Wariavwalla, 2008). According to Sklair (2010), one of the foundations is the consumer homogeneity. Since business processes is localized, the environment is to a large extent homorganic in nature. As a result, extend of adaptation is limited as compared to globalization (Rostow, 2002).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Going global, Acting local specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Besides, localization is defined to be the process of reversing globalization trends in favor of the local community (Robertson, 2002). In this respect, the local community can be a state or a number of s tates in a regional grouping. All the same, localization according to Polanyi (2004) is defined as the process of taking products and services and making them culturally and linguistically appropriate to the targeted locale which may be a region or a country. On the other hand, it is believed by Moody (2007) that localization is the customization of product components for a specific target market. This helps in building a strong connection with clients in that particular area. Example of localization A good example of localization is the strategy used by Disneyland in entering the Chinese market. It achieved this by making translation of all foreign lyrics to local contents that were well received by its new markets. Moreover, it was well exemplified by IKEA as it continued to use strategies of differentiation which helped it to spread its products globally but with local tastes. Furthermore, the strategy was applied by Macdonald’s as it provided localized products for specif ic regions it was expanding to. For instance, meat and pork products were never provided in the Indian market and instead vegetable products were given as per the preferences of this market. Glocalization According to McMichael (2006), glocalization is a term that has been developed recently as a result of the difficulties experienced from globalization process. Therefore, it is postulated to mean processes that seek uniformity of tactical strategies that are localized. This was concurred with Kasarda and Edward (2001) when they postulated that glocalization is the act of thinking globally while acting locally. This was furthered by Kanter (2005) when he believed that although consumers in most cases have similar lifestyles, their traditional values and cultures do not disappear. As a result, marketing approaches need to put these differences into consideration when coming up with products for consumers (Clegg Hardy, 2009). This kind of process is believed to be glocalization (Lync h, 2006). On the other hand, it was believed by Kanter (2005) that glocalization in business environment means micro marketing where by marketing of goods and services are tailored on a global basis to increase differentiated local and specific markets. This position was affirmed by Knights and Roberts (2002) when they defined glocalization as the construction of increasing differentiated clients based on their traditions. Nonetheless, Watson (2006) defined glocalization as a combination of two concepts; globalization and localization.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, it is taken to be the process that advances in marketing a service or a product that is distributed on a global platform but makes them to fit various local market clienteles (Healey, 2007). For instance, if the firm is selling its services on the web, it can specifically advertise these services to a specific target group of customers. Additionally, Roberts (2004) defined glocalization as developing a product or a service and distributing it globally but it must be fashioned in a manner that accommodates consumers in the local market. This view concurred with that of Foglio and Stanevicius (2007) who defined glocalization as the process of developing a product domestically and redesigning it later to meet local requirements, tastes and preferences and even abiding by the local laws. Example of glocalization This approach was used by Macdonald’s in its expansion process in India as it specifically offered vegetarian menu to suit tastes and preferences of the Indian market while maintaining its global standards. Moreover, Macdonald’s was able to maintain local face in all regions of its operation while upholding its standards. The approach of localization was used by Disneyland in its expansion process in France as it turned shows and settings to reflect the French style so as to suite local environment while retaining its global standards. On the other hand, IKEA was forced to provide a wide variety of products in furniture products with different tastes in respective regions of operation. This ensured their internationalization process as different user needs were met while upholding high standards. PESTEL Issue – Technological issue affecting Macdonald’s PESTEL is the analysis of an external macro environmental factors in which a business entity is operating in (Hauchler, 2004). As given by Kotler (2009), it stands for political, economic, social, technological and environmental factors. According to Robert (2008), all these factors affect business processes of a company and it might have no powers to control them but to adapt to them. For that matter, it is important that organizations continuously analyze their eternal environment in order to understand these macro environmental factors so as to take appropriate measures to adapt to them. For that matter, one of the macro factors that are affecting Macdonald’s is the technological issue as discussed by the paper. Current technological trends affecting Macdonald’s Technology is one of the micro environmental factors that are affecting Macdonald’s in its business operations. It works as a benchmark for company’s success. Therefore, it is important to be a head in technology in order to cope with competition with other players in the same industry (Inkeles, 2003). With respect to that, Macdonald’s has tried to apply various technologies that are available in their operating environment. For instance, in terms of m arketing its products, the firm widely applies technological tools such as web 2.0 technologies like facebook, twitter and other social sites in promoting its products (Macdonald, 2012). Moreover, Google advertisements and collaboration with other websites have largely been used to promote sales in specific regions of their operations. Nonetheless, technologies such as television, hoardings have equally been applied in promoting its products. Furthermore, inventory system in its business operations has been widely used in its business processes. This has been of great importance to its business since it has helped to prevent payment of hidden costs, helped in preventing spoiling of products hence in return, assuring effectiveness and efficiency (Macdonald, 2012). This has been made possible as some of the operations have been infused with these technologies (Greider, 2007). For instance, the inventory system and value chain management have been integrated and they help easier paymen t to stakeholders such as vendors and suppliers. This has helped the firm as it has added value to its products. Moreover, there have been some improvements in the inventory system together with its value chain has helped the company to be able to operate on a global platform. Future trends and forecasts According to Amsden (2009), technology is vital factors in attaining efficiency and effectiveness in business process. Therefore, since the company has already integrated technology in its business activities, it is expected that it will continue to move and change with these technology as it unfolds. For instance, the company will be forced to acquire wireless internet technologies that is fast growing hence replacing the traditional wired technology. Moreover, the adoption of wireless internet technology will be able to increase its business processes. In return, efficiency and effectiveness in business processes will be enhanced (Khondker, 2004). Furthermore, the company will be in a position to save its operating costs due to amalgamation of various processes that will help in cutting costs. Furthermore, it is expected in future that Macdonald will be able to integrate technology in its food production processes. Just like some of the soft drink companies are using expert systems in producing their products, it is also expected that Macdonald will be able to apply the same in its diverse products preparations. According to Albrow (2002), this will help the company by cutting to a large extent its production and operating costs as manual processes will be automated hence cutting extensively on human labor costs. Moreover, this is likely to guarantee effectiveness and efficiency in its business processes (Evans, 2006). Conclusion Globalization forms a very significant aspect in the expansion of business operation in the global market (Hilb, 2008). However, for this process to be successful in the current times, it is relatively important that an organization must consider applying both globalization and localization which converge to achieve glocalization (Hill Jones, 2009). By doing so, the business is able to ‘think globally and while acting locally’ hence satisfying needs of all customers in the global market. This is so since products can be tailored in order to maintain the local culture, tastes and preferences which help the firm to maintain its market share both on locally and internationally (Ansoff, 2000). Nonetheless, it is important to note that customers in the market require both local and global brands since they make them feel part of the wider international community while maintaining their local identity (Berman Evans, 2006). Therefore, a glocalization strategy is critical since it helps to integrate localization and globalization (Mintzberg Quinn, 2003). In relation to this, MacDonald has been very specific as it applies glocalization strategy. This has helped it to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in its business operations as it has excelled in all of its regions of operation. References Albrow, M 2002, The Global Age: State and Society Beyond Modernity, Stanford University Press, Stanford. Amsden, A 2009, Asia’s Next Giant: South Korea’s Late Industrialization, Oxford, New York. Ansoff, H 2000, Implementing Strategic Management, Prentice Hall, London. Barnet, R 2009, Global Dreams, Simon and Schuster, New York. Berman, B Evans, J 2006, Retail Management, A Strategic Approach, Prentice Hall, London. Botha, J Brink, A 2007, Introduction to Marketing, Juta and Co Ltd, Cape Town. Brecher, J Tim, C 2004, Global Village or Global Pillage? Economic Reconstruction from the Bottom Up, South End Press, Boston. Bruijn, H Veld, R 2010, Process Management, Springer, Netherlands. Burn, J Barnett, M 2008, E-Business for Virtual Organizations, Butterworth-Heinemann, Jordan. Clegg, R Hardy, C 2009, Studying Organization: Theory and Method, Sage, London. Drummond, G Rut h, A 2008, Strategic Marketing: Planning and Control, Elsevier Ltd, Burlington. Eckerson, W 2006, Performance Dashboards: Measuring, Monitoring, and Managing Your Business, John Wiley Sons, Inc, Canada. Ehnert, I 2009, Sustainable Human Resource Management, Springer, London. Evans, P 2006, Embedded Autonomy: States and Industrial Transformation, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Foglio, A Stanevicius, V 2007, Scenario of glocal marketing as an answer to the market lobalization and localization, International research journal of finance and economics, vol. 15 no. 16, pp. 13-54. Fredrickson, M 2010, Perspectives on Strategic Management, Harper Row Publishers, New York. Gerardo, R Wong, Y 2008, Global Strategic Management, ME Sharpe, New York. Greider, W 2007, One World, Ready or Not: The Manic Logic of Global Capitalism, Simon and Schuster, New York. Hanna, K 2010, Enabling Enterprise Transformation: Business and Grassroots Innovation for the Knowledge Economy, Springer Scien ce, New York. Hauchler, I 2004, Global Trends: The World Almanac of Development and Peace, Continuum, New York. Healey, P 2007, Making Strategic Spatial Plans: Innovation in Europe, Routledge, London. Hilb, M 2008, New corporate governance: successful board management tools, Springer, Germany. Hill, C Jones, G 2009, Strategic management theory: An integrated approach, Cengage Learning, USA. Inkeles, A 2003, Exploring Individual Modernity, Columbia University Press, New York. Kanter, M 2005, World Class: Thriving Locally in the Global Economy, Touchstone, New York. Kasarda, D Edward, C 2001, Third world urbanization: Dimensions, theories and determinants, Annual Review of Sociology, vol.17 no. 8, pp.467-501. Khondker,H 2004, Glocalization as Globalization: Evolution of a Sociological Concept, Journal of Sociology, vol.1 no.23, pp.45-78. Knights, D Roberts, J 2002, The power of organization or the organization of power?. Organization Studies, vol.3 no.1, pp. 47-63. Kotler, P 2009, Marketing Management Harlow, Pearson Prentice Hall Publishing Press, England. Krozer, Y 2008, Life cycle costings for innovations in product chains, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol.5 no.16, pp. 310-321. Lynch, R 2006, Corporate Strategy, Prentice Hall, London. Macdonald 2012, Our History, https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/about-us/our-history.html Mangena, J Brent, C 2006, Application of a Life Cycle Impact Assessment framework to evaluate and compare environmental performances with economic values of supplied coal products, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol.5 no.14, pp 1071-1084. McMichael, P 2006, Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective, Pine Forge Press, London. Mintzberg, H Lampell, J 2000, Reflecting on the Strategy Process, Sloan Management Review, vol.40 no.3, p.21. Mintzberg, H Quinn, J 2003, Strategy Process and Cases, Prentice Hall, London. Moody, K 2007, Towards an International Social-Movement Unionism, New Left Review vol. 72 no.25, pp.52-72. Pech, J Slade, W 2003, Asymmetric Competition: Decision Processes Shaping the Future, Management Decision, Vol.41 no.1 pp. 883-892. Polanyi, K 2004, The Great Transformation, Beacon Press, Boston. Richard, P Geoffrey, D 2004, Where the decision makers went wrong: from capitalism to cannibalism, Corporate Governance, vol. 4 no. 1, pp. 65-75. Robert, M 2008, Strategy Pure Simple 2: How Winning Companies Dominate their Competitors, McGraw-Hill, New York. Roberts, J 2004, The moral character of management practice, Journal of Management Studies, vol.21 no.3, pp.287-302. Robertson, R 2002, Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture, Sage, Newbury Park. Rostow, W 2002, The Process of Economic Growth, Norton, New York. Sklair, L 2010, Sociology of the global system, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Swart, S Kinnie, N 2003, Sharing Knowledge in Knowledge-Intensive Firms, Human Reource Management Journal, vol.13 no.2, pp.60-75. Wariavwalla, B 2008, Interdependence and domestic po litical regimes: The case of newly industrializing countries, Alternatives, vol.13 no.12, pp.253-270. Waters, M 2005, Globalization, Routledge, London. Watson, T 2006, How do managers think?. Management Learning, vol. 27no.3, pp. 323-341. Yucel, R 2009, Globalization and international market ethics problems, International research journal of finance and economics, vol. 12 no. 26, pp. 93-104. This report on Going global, Acting local was written and submitted by user Abril Ramos to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

William Blount essays

William Blount essays William Blount's great-grandfather, Thomas Blount, came to the Americas from England in 1660. He first resided in Virginia, then moved to North Carolina, and started his family. William was the eldest in his family, and was born in 1749 while his mother was visiting her father-in-law's Rosefield estate. This was near William was said to have received a good education although little is known. He also apparently had intrest for government since he was little. When the war started in 1776, Blount was appointed paymaster, who was in charge of wages, in the army of North Carolina. Then in 1778 he married Mary Grainier. They had six children, and one became active in Tennessee's govern- He spent the rest of his life in public office. Blount represented North Carolina in Congress. He sat in the lower house of the legislature for 4 years, from 1780-1784. During those years, he was the speaker of the house, and was a public speaker. He served in the upper house from 1788-1790, and spoke for them as well. Blount also took part in national politics, including two Continental Congress sessions in 1782-1783 and 1786-1787. Here he also represented his state of North Carolina. The next highlight in Blounts life, was being apppointed to be a delegate at the Constitutional Convention. At this time, he was 38 years of age. Although he already had a prior commitment to represent his state at the Continental Congress, He attended the Constitutional Convention for all but one month. He was a very quiet person who let other members take part in debates and and arguements, and kept his opinions to himself, whether they were follow- ing or opposing the crowd. He signed the Constitution with hesitation, and said only to make it "the unanimous act of the States in the Convention". Alt ...

The design of an automated external defibrillator Essay - 1

The design of an automated external defibrillator - Essay Example The scale of the burden is felt in the economy with escalating costs of health care as indicated by the billions spent annually by the UK government on cardiovascular diseases (British Heart Foundation 2012). The relatively high incidences of heart attacks in UK are of great concern to health care professionals and other stakeholders, which have seen them, consolidate their efforts in order to reduce the effects. Stakeholders such as medical engineers and manufacturers team up with healthcare professionals in an effort to brain storm on the possible solutions in line with technological advances. This front has seen the successful adoption and incorporation of technology in healthcare facilities in form of medical devices. According to the European Union definition, a medical device is an apparatus or instrument that is designed for preventative, diagnostic, monitoring, or therapeutic purposes and its purpose is not achieved through pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means (Krutmann 2011). Similarly, the mode of action of medical devices is not through chemical action in a patient’s body, although may be assisted in its functions through such means. As such, it is essential that medical devices exceed the threshold under the European Union regulations, which call for detailed records of the products, designing and construction is limited to qualified personnel, and comprehensive risk assessment should be done (Jacobson and Murray 2007). The key function of a medical device can be illustrated from scientific information quoted by the manufacturer in line with functional principle and the manufacturer’s labelling. Biomedical engineering is the major field charged with the task of designing, development and production of medical devices that are geared towards increasing efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services. Medical devices vary in their capacity and level of sophistication ranging from tongue depressors to

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Assignment Example Couple that with the differences in government country by country, in addition to various cultural differences, and the mutual understanding of these regional differences become even more important as we move through the 21st century. There are eight commonly defined regions in the world today, each with multiple states and cultures represented. What follows is a brief synopsis of one state in each region, its form of government, and the state of its economic growth in relation to the rest of the region. European Region Europe is typically divided into two or three separate regions due to its vast landscape, population, and cultural differences. For the purposes of the comparison, however, let us just focus on the country of Romania. The government of Romania is a form of a republic, drastically changed from the form of government in place prior to 1991. Today, Romania is in the European Union, pledging to maintain a form of democracy in their country. The president of Romania is ele cted by a popular and democratic vote. This office does have a term limitation of two terms, of five years each. Like much of Europe, the legislative body in Romania is dominated the by the Parliament, which has two distinct houses, both contained members elected via the democratic process. Romania has a sizeable military for a country of its size. . They spend 1.9% of their GDP on the military annually, which ranks them 76th in the world in terms of expenditures. While Romania has recently entered the European Union, its economy is still lagging behind that of other countries in the region. Widespread poverty exists and the country has had to receive economic reform packages from the World Bank to stay solvent. Their per capita GDP is $12,500, which ranks it 98th in the world. North American Region Mexico is a country in the North American region that has been relatively stable for decades now, even though it has its share of tumultuous times. The current system of government is th at of a federation and has been in existence since 1917. The government is representative of the people and is a hybrid of the democratic and republic forms of government. Mexico has a democracy, where the president and members of the legislative body must be elected to office by a democratic vote of the people. The Mexican military is quite sizeable due to its policy of compulsory service. All eligible males are expected to serve for a minimum of 12 months. Beyond this, however, Mexico spends little on their military – only 0.5% of their GDP. This ranks them 159th in the world. They depend on their allies, namely the United States, for assurances of protection from potential threats. Mexico’s economy has benefited from the North American Free Trade Agreement and continues to grow annually. While they are the poorest country in this region of states, their annual GDP is $14,700. This ranks them as 86th in the world. Latin American Region Let us focus on the country of Ecuador when discussing states in the Latin American region. Like most countries in this region, a democratically elected president governs Ecuador. An interesting fact about Ecuador’s democracy is that voting is actually mandatory for any citizen aged 18-65 who can read. There are 130 members of the legislative branch of government, representing all provinces of Ecuador. Each of these members are elected by the people as well, serving out four year terms. Ecuador has a well-established army, navy,

DQ knolege creathion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

DQ knolege creathion - Essay Example Can be linked to the work place where it is to be implemented. 4. Solutions to be implemented are found to be efficient in both time taken and overall cost.. It is those who make decisions within an organization who can best take advantage of any research results as this should serve to highlight such things as current and future market trends as well as any possible risks to be considered The maximum benefit from any research undertaken will be achieved if it is based upon most accurate picture of what is actually happening as well as the theories involved, but it can prove to be a difficult task to fit the practical results alongside the theoretical models. The aim for business researchers must be to arrive at knowledge based upon the two complementary aspects of rigour and usefulness. Rousseau ( 2006) and other proponents of a management style based upon evidence believe that this is possible. However , more recently Morrell ( 2008) criticized this picture and questioned whether i t was really possible for management research to be done in this way and yet be rigorous enough. Is such research valid or is it just based upon theories? The topic for research, if it is to serve a useful purpose, must come out of the workplace ad problems faced there Such an example occurred when I worked for KPC Kuwait petroleum. Each month a crude monthly price was issued according to a fixed discount on the Saudi AM price for their crude. This real life practice example was afterwards used as a topic by management researchers. In 2009 Kieser & Leiner said that they thought that it should be easy for practice and theory to come together because good research can unite theory and the practice. For this reason education , whether in business schools or a mainstream university, is able to provide management researchers with the skills necessary to cope with any problems which arise. In 1987, Shrivastava (, p 88) suggested the use of research variables in relation to the goals of an organization and that research findings must be tested in situ with researchers being rewarded , testing research findings in organisational settings and reward researchers based upon the way in which their research can be applied in a practical way. In this way the gap often observed between practice and research will be closed or at shrink to a smaller one., as echoed ( 2005) by Bennis and O’Toole. It was suggested by Rousseau ( 2006, page 266) that the best evidence based research should be linked to work practise and solutions arrived at using a process of cause and effect. The culture of an organization that wants to be successful must allow for intelligent experimentation and possible failure in order the useful knowledge can be created. Rousseau believes that management is such a complex field that metaskills are required to deal with it successfully. Over simplification is a danger to be avoided, because there are no ‘one size fits all’ answers ( page 26 7) Also suggested by the same author is that feedback must flow with ease between educators, managers and researchers. On page 257 ( 2006) decries management gurus such as Jack Welsh and McKinsey who seem to suggest management decisions based upon relatively weak evidence. On the other hand their suggestions are relatively easy to understand as compared to duller and complex academic offerings. Perhaps there needs to be a middle way such as the 2005 article by Bennis and O’Toole in Harvard Business Review, which is a non-academic, non peer reviewed

Effect of Microsofts Monopolistic Approach

Effect of Microsofts Monopolistic Approach The Effect of Microsofts Monopolistic Approach to Software Bundling on Innovation and Competition.   Contents (Jump to) Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 – Literature Review 2.1 Monopolist or Fierce Competitor 2.2 Bundling, Innovative or Stifling Competition 2.2.1   Bundling Examples in Other Industries 2.3 The Case Against Microsoft Chapter 3 – Analysis 3.1 Bundling, Competitive or Market Restrictive? 3.2 Strategies to Gain Market Share 3.3 Microsoft and The European Union Chapter 4 – Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 1 Introduction When mentioning Microsoft, one’s thoughts naturally turn to computers, as the two are inexorably tied together. And while they both need each other, software was the latter development in this marriage of needs. Based upon digits, computers utilize this foundation as the basis for their computations (Berdayes, 2000, p. 76). A digit is a â€Å"†¦ numeral †¦ that represents an integer †¦Ã¢â‚¬  and includes †¦ any one of the decimal characters ‘0’ through ‘9’ †¦Ã¢â‚¬  as well as â€Å"†¦ either of the binary characters ‘0’ or ‘1’ †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Atis, 2005). Computers utilize digits under the ‘base-2 number system’, which is also termed as the ‘binary number system’ (Berdayes, 2000, p. 3). The base-2 system is utilized in computers as it implements easier with present day technology. A base-10 system could be used, however its cost in terms of technology innovation woul d make computers prohibitively expensive (Berdayes, 2000, pp. 53-56). Via the utilization of binary digits as opposed to decimal digits, bits thus have only two values, ‘0 and 1’ (Barfield and Caudell, 2001, p. 344, 368). The preceding is important in understanding the relationship of numbers to computers as well as Microsoft’s later entrance into this world. The following provides a visual understanding of how this works: Table 1 – Decimal Numbers in the Binary System (Swarthmore University, 2005) Decimal Number Binary Number 0 = 0 1 = 1 2 = 10 3 = 11 4 = 100 5 = 101 6 = 110 7 = 111 8 = 1000 9 = 1001 10 = 1010 11 = 1011 12 = 1100 13 = 1101 14 = 1110 In computers, bits are utilized in conjunction with bytes, which are represented as ‘8-bit bytes’ that work as follows: Table 2 – 8 Bit Bytes (Barfield and Caudell, 2001. pp. 50-54) Decimal Number Bytes 0 = 0000000000000000 1 = 0000000000000001 2 = 0000000000000010 65534 = 1111111111111110 65535 = 1111111111111111 The earliest computer has been traced back to the ‘abax’, which is the Greek word that describes ‘calculating board’ as well as ‘calculating table’ which as invented in China and called the abacus, it was also used in ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Russia, Japan, and is still in use by the blind (qi-journal.com, 2005). Operating much as the bits and bytes in the modern computer, the abacus has a vertical row of beads that represent multiples of 10, 1, 10, 100, 1,00 and so forth (qi-journal.com, 2005). The basic principle of the abacus operates in much the same manner as the modern computer, through numerical representation. The first generations of modern computers were huge in comparison with today’s small, powerful and fast machines, and needed air-conditioned rooms to dissipate the heat. Programming on the first commercial computer in 1951, the UNIVAC, was a group of related mechanisms driven my mathematical equations that had to be written in order for the UNIVAC to work on problems (hagar.up.ac.za, 2006). It would take another 6 years for the first personal computer to be developed, the IBM 610 Auto-Point, which was termed as a ‘personal computer’ because it only took one individual to operate it, however, the cost in 1957 termed at $55,000 translates in to well over $100,000 in today’s value (maximon.com, 2006). In 1975 saw the introduction of the Altair 8800, which sold for $439, with 256 bytes of RAM, which also represented the year that Bill Gates, along with Paul Allen founded Microsoft (maximon.com, 2006). Altair was seeking a computer language, which Gates and Allen delivered via a program called BASIC on 23 July 1975, which they gave the company â€Å"†¦ exclusive worldwide rights to †¦ for 10 years† (Rich, 2003, p. 34). Sold as an add-on with the Altair 8800 for $75, the preceding provided the revenue underpinnings for Microsoft (Rich, 2003, p. 35). Generating just $381,715 in 1977, Microsoft was upstaged by Apple Computers that made machines as well as their own operating system (Rich, 2003, p. 36). Apple’s success caught the attention of IBM, which was not in the personal computer market, the foregoing was the means via which Gates entered the picture with IBM based upon DOS, program it secured from Seattle Computer for just $50,000 that heralded the beginni ngs of the industry giant (Rich, 2003, p. 51). Microsoft MS-DOS represented the foundation for the beginning financial strength of the company, which would enable it to develop Windows 95 and successive versions leading to Vista in 2007. Along the way, Microsoft has been accused, rightly or wrongly, of a monopolistic approach to software bundling that has stifled competition and innovation. This paper will seek to examine this facet, its effects, how it happened and the ramifications of the statement. Chapter 2 – Literature Review 2.1 Monopolist or Fierce Competitor In â€Å"Trust on Trial: How the Microsoft Case is Reframing the Rules of Competition†, by Richard McKenzie (2000, p. 1), reflects that Microsoft in the last 25 years has become â€Å"†¦ the worlds premier software company, dominating many of the markets it has entered and developed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and also finds itself â€Å"†¦under legal assault †¦Ã¢â‚¬  for monopolist behaviour. McKenzie (2000, p. 2) indicates that in the United States â€Å"†¦its the Justice Department against Microsoft, but behind the courtroom scenes there has been a good deal of political maneuvering by other major American corporate high-tech combatants -Sun Microsystems, Oracle, Netscape, IBM, and America Online, to name just a few who would like nothing better than to see their market rival, Microsoft, get its comeuppance in the court of law†. In this instance it is the â€Å"†¦efficacy of antitrust law enforcement has been on trial† as the Microsoft case repr esents â€Å"†¦the first large-scale antitrust proceedings of the digital age;† (McKenzie, 2000. p. 2). McKenzie (2000, p. x) reflects upon the government case against Microsoft as a monopolist, indicating that while its operating system comes â€Å" †¦ preloaded on at least nine of every ten computers containing Intel microprocessors sold in the country, if not the world† was it this that made the company a monopolist? The market dominance that Microsoft has in the fact that its operating system comes preloaded in over 90% of the computers sold was expressed by the former United States Republican candidate Robert Dole, who stated â€Å"Microsoft’s goal appears to be to extend the monopoly it has enjoyed in the PC operating system marketplace to the Internet as a whole, and to control the direction of innovation. (McKenzie, 2000, p. 28). This view was also repeated by the media as well as New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco who see Microsoft’s â€Å"†¦product development strategies are evidence of monopoly power: †¦Ã¢â‚¬  in that the â€Å" †¦ Windows operating system has become almost the sole entry point to cyberspace† (McKenzie, 2000, p. 29). It is without question that Microsoft’s dominance resulting from preloaded operating software provides it with an advantage in introducing other forms of software. But, is that simply good business practices o r predatory behaviour? For consideration, McKenzie (2000, p. 47) points to the book written by Judge Bork â€Å"The Antitrust Paradox† where he stated repeatedly †¦ antitrust should not interfere with any firm size created by internal growth †¦. And like it or not, that is how Microsoft got into the position it now enjoys. But, in all the rhetoric, there is another facet to Microsoft’s dominance, the PC manufacturers themselves. As stated by the manufacturers themselves, there simply is no other choice! (McKenzie, 2000, p. 29). Eric Browning, the chief executive of PC manufacturer Micron has said I am not aware of any other non-Microsoft operating system product to which Micron could or would turn as a substitute for Windows 95 at this time† (McKenzie, 2000, p. 30). This sentiment was also echoed by John Romano, an executive at Hewlett-Packard who advised †¦ we dont have a choice †¦ (McKenzie, 2000, p. 30). The tie-in between monopoly power and market dominance has been explained by Franklin Fisher, the chief economist for the Justice Department as Monopoly power is a substantial degree of market power, or the ability of a firm (a) to charge a price significantly in excess of competitive levels and (b) to do so over a significant period of time (McKenzie, 2000, p. 30). Fisher further asserts that Microsoft’s dominance in the market â€Å"†¦ is protected by barriers to entry in the form of economies of scale in production, network effects, and switching costs †¦ (McKenzie, 2 000, p. 30). Fisher adds that â€Å"There are no reasonable substitutes for Microsoft’s Windows operating system for Intel-compatible desktop PCs. Operating systems for non-Intel-compatible computers are not a reasonable substitute for Microsoft’s Windows operating system because there would be high costs to switching to non-Intel-compatible computers like Mac and Unix† (McKenzie, 2000, p. 30). However, the monopolistic tendencies of Microsoft have not resulted in the company charging higher prices as a result of its dominant position. This view was put forth by the chief economic consultant for the state attorneys general in that â€Å"†¦the absence of viable competitors in Intel-compatible operating systems means that Microsoft doesnt have to worry about raising its price or using its economic weight in other ways †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McKenzie, 2000, p. 30). He asserts that â€Å" †¦ a monopolist would continue to raise its price so long as its profits rose. †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McKenzie, 2000, p. 31). Something that Microsoft has not done. Such is inconsistent with the manner in which monopolists behave. The line of reasoning for the preceding is that â€Å"†¦the cost of the operating system represents on average 2.5 percent of the price of personal computers (and at most 10 percent for very inexpensive personal computers), so even a 10 percent increase in the pr ice of the OS [operating system] would result at most in a 1 percent increase in the price of even inexpensive PCs †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McKenzie, 2000, p. 31). Warren-Boulton thus concludes â€Å"†¦that Microsofts price for Windows is very likely far below the monopoly price †¦Ã¢â‚¬  which is a result of â€Å"†¦the so-called coefficient of the price elasticity of demand facing any firm (the ratio of the percentage change in the quantity to the percentage change in the price †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McKenzie, 2000, p. 31). Therefore, argues McKenzie (2000, p. 32) a monopolist would not price its product in the very low range, â€Å"†¦because a very low elasticity implies that a price increase will increase profits †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , thus the government’s case has opposing views of Microsoft’s monopolist position, a telling facet in considering the overall implications of the company. The foregoing direct contradicts Franklin Fisher’s, the chief economist for the Justice Department, claims that Microsoft earns â€Å" †¦ superhigh profits †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , which its low prices does not support (McKenzie, 2000, p. 32). Thus, in being a so-called monopolist, Microsoft’s pricing policies do not reflect the behaviour of one. The complicated market, competitive, product and business realities of Microsoft in a competitive market must also be viewed as the company taking actions to protect its position through new product introductions as well as making it difficult for compe titors to gain an edge, the manner in which all firms operate if they intend to remain in business and continue as market leaders. The fact that Microsoft provides its Internet browser free along with its operating system, serves the interest of customers in that they have this feature already available in the purchase of their computers. It also represents a competitive action that limits other browsers from gaining an edge in the market. McKenzie (2000, p. 32) aptly points our that â€Å" †¦ Any firm that is dominant in a software market isnt likely to want to give up its dominance, especially if there are substantial economies of scale in production and network effects in demand †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , something with both Fisher as well as Warren-Boulton indicate is true in the software industry. McKenzie (2000, p. 32) adds that if Microsoft where to start losing market share for its operating system â€Å"†¦it could anticipate problems in keeping its applications network intact, which could mean its market share could spiral downward as a new market entrant makes sales and those sales lead to more and more applications being written for the new operating system †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The flaw in the monopolist argue, as pointed out by McKenzie (2000. p. 34) is that even if a company had a 100% share of the market â€Å"†¦it must price and develop its product as though it actually had market rivals because the fi rm has to fear the entry of potential competitors †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . To make his point, McKenzie (2000, p. 34) points to classic microeconomics textbooks that teach that a monopolist represents a ‘single producer’ â€Å"†¦that is capable of restricting output, raising its prices above competitive levels, and imposing its will on buyers †¦Ã¢â‚¬  therefore in the position of the U.S. Justice Department, Microsoft’s high, 90%, market share is a near or almost monopoly, that McKenzie (2000, p. 34) aptly states is like almost being pregnant, you either are or you aren’t. To illustrate his point, McKenzie (2000, p. 34) points to the company called Signature Software, which at the time had â€Å"†¦100 percent of the market for a program that allows computer users to type their letters and e-mails in a font that is derived from their own handwriting†. He adds that despite it being the singular producer in the market, the company â€Å"†¦prices its software very modestly, simply because the program can be duplicated with relative ease.† McKenzie (2000, p. 34) also points out that Netscape at one time almost completely dominated the browser market, yet did not price its advantage in monopolist fashion. In protecting its position, Microsoft developed and introduced new products, all of which any other firm had the opportunity to do and thus innovate, yet such did not happen. McKenzie (2000, p. 137) asserts that the aggressive development of new products by Microsoft was in defense of its market position as well as being good marketi ng and customer satisfaction practices. He points to the following innovations by Microsoft that helped to cement is market dominance and stave off competitive inroads, all of which could have been created by other firms (McKenzie, 2000, p. 137): 1975 Microsoft develops BASIC as the first programming language written for the PC. A feat that could have been accomplished by anther firm had they innovated and gotten the initial contract with Altair for the 8800. 1983 Microsoft developed the first mouse based PC word processing program, Word. 1985 The company develops the first PC based word processing system to support the use of a laser printer. 1987 Microsoft’s Windows/386 became the first operating system to utilize the new Intel 32-bit 80386 processor. 1987 Microsoft’s introduces Excel, the first spreadsheet that was designed for Windows. 1989 Word became the first word processing system to offer tables. 1989 Microsoft Office becomes the first business productivity application offering a full suite of office tools. 1991 Word becomes the first productivity program to incorporate multimedia into its operation. 1991 Word version 2.0 becomes the first word processing program to provide drag and drop capability. 1995 Internet Explorer becomes the first browser to support multimedia and 3D graphics 1996 Microsoft’s Intellimouse is the first pointing device to utilize a wheel to aid in navigation. 1996 Microsoft introduces Picture It, the first program to permit consumers to create, enhance and share photo quality images over their PC’s. 1997 DirectX becomes the first multimedia architecture to integrate Internet ready services. 1998 Microsoft’s WebTV in conjunction with the hit television show Baywatch becomes the first internationally syndicated Internet-enhanced season finale. 1999 Windows 2000, which later becomes Windows NT adds the following innovations as firsts to a PC operating system, Text to speech engine, Multicast protocol algorithms that are reliable, Improvements in the performance registry, Inclusion of DirectX, Vision based user interfaces, Handwriting recognition, and a number of other innovations to enhance its operating system, and maintain as well as increase its market position. The preceding represents examples of innovation spurred by Microsoft that could have been introduced by its competitors in various fields first, but where not. Thus, Microsoft in these instances, as well as others introduce consumer enhancing innovations to further its market dominance through aggressive new product development, a path that was open to others as well. 2.2 Bundling, Innovative or Stifling Competition Rosenbaum’s (1998) book â€Å"Market Dominance: How Firms Gain, Hold, or Lose it and the impact on Economic Performance† provides a perspective on the means via which companies gain as well as lose market share, and the tactics they employ to best their competition. Few people remember that when Microsoft introduced Microsoft Word and Excel, the dominant software programs for word processing and spreadsheets were Lotus 1-2-3- and WordPerfect (Rosenbaum, 1998, p. 168). In fact, WordPerfect was the application found in all businesses, period (Rosenbaum, 1998, p. 168). Each of the preceding applications cost approximately $300, which Microsoft bested by selling his Office Suite program for $250. Through providing limited use Word programs in Windows, consumer had the chance to test Word before buying it (Rosenbaum, 1998, p. 168). More importantly, Microsoft’s spreadsheet, word processing, presentation programs were simply better and easier to use that the competitio n. By innovatively offering a free limited version of Word with the operating system, Microsoft induced trial, to which it had to follow up on with a better product. In looking at competitive practices and competition analysis, there is a relationship that exists between the structure of the market and innovation, to which Hope (2000, p. 35) poses the question as to â€Å"†¦whether monopoly is more conducive to innovation than competition †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Hope (29000, p. 35) indicates that in response to the foregoing, there is no â€Å"†¦clear-cut answer, probably because there is none †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Hope (2000, p. 35 puts forth the theory that â€Å"†¦Most economists, and virtually all designers of competition policy, take market structure as their starting point as something which is somehow, almost exogenously, given (although it may be affected by competition policy), and which produces results in terms of costs, prices, innovations, etc †¦Ã¢â‚¬  However, Hope (2000, p. 35) tells us that this is wrong, based upon elementary microeconomics, as â€Å"†¦Market structure is inherently endogenous†¦ (and is) â⠂¬ ¦ determined by the behaviour of existing firms and by entry of new ones, simultaneously with costs, prices, product ranges, and investments in RD and marketing†. Exogenous variables, if they in fact exist in a particular situation, represent facets such as product fundamentals such as â€Å"†¦production processes, entry conditions, the initial preferences of the consumers, variables determined in other markets, and government policy †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hope, 2000, p. 35). As a result, Hope (2000, p. 35) advises that the questions as to whether â€Å"†¦there will be more innovation with monopoly than with competition is no more meaningful than to ask whether price-cost margins will be higher if costs are high than if they are low †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . 2.2.1 Bundling Examples in Other Industries Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 2) make the analogy of Microsoft’s bundling methodology with that of cable television whereby a broadcaster how owns a â€Å"†¦ marquee channel can preclude competition in thematic channels (such as comedy or science fiction channels) by bundling their own thematic channels with the †¦Ã¢â‚¬  marquee channel. The preceding illustrates the idea that consumers tend to value channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime that their reputation helps to cause consumers to consider other program platforms they offer. These channels advertise their other channels on their marquee stations and vise versa, offering bundling of channels at reduced prices to encourage purchase. Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 2) offer the logic that â€Å"†¦a provider that attempts to compete by offering a thematic channel on a stand-alone basis, without an anchor channel, would not be able to survive the competitive pressure of a rival with an anchor.† The argume nt that having a marquee channel, or anchor, is key to the viability of broadcasters is supported by the development of pay television in the United Kingdom. Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 2). The dominant pay television supplier is BSkyB which controls â€Å"†¦most of the critical programming rights in Britain, enabling it to use bundled pricing to execute a price squeeze against rivals †¦Ã¢â‚¬  which as in the case of Microsoft â€Å"†¦the pay television industry is that a firm that monopolizes one product (here, an anchor channel) can effectively leverage that monopoly to preclude competition in another product market by using bundled pricing† (Aron and Wildman, 1999, p. 2). Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 3) provide another example of how firms utilize bundling to inhibit their competition, through the example of Abbott and Ortho laboratories, which produce blood-screening tests utilized to test blood that is donated for viruses. Interestingly Abbott produced all five of the test utilized to check for viruses, whereas Ortho only produced three, thus Abbott bundled the five tests in a manner that Ortho was unable to compete, thus effectively making it a monopolist (Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 3). Were these good business practices that this enabled Abbott to increase its market share at the expense of another company that did not innovate in producing all five tests to complete? Ortho claimed that â€Å"†¦Abbott was effectively a monopolist in two of the tests, Ortho claimed that Abbott could and did use a bundled pricing strategy to leverage its monopoly into the other non-monopolized tests and preclude competition there† (Aron and Wildman, 1999, p. 3). The preceding examples show â€Å"†¦that a monopolist can preclude competition using a bundled pricing strategy †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Aron and Wildman, 1999, p. 3) and that in so doing can accomplish such without charging prices in excess of what is reasonable for their customers, which makes sound business sense in that capturing the market thus eliminates the need for such, and also provides the business condition that prevents competitors from re-entering the market at lower prices. Thus it is rational for a monopolist to behave as if competitors exist, which in fact they will if it provides such an opportunity through increased pricing. The examples indicated show that â€Å" †¦ it is indeed possible in equilibrium for a provider who monopolizes one product (or set of products) to profitably execute a fatal price squeeze against a rival in another product by using a bundled pricing strategy† (Aron and Wildman, 1999, p. 3). 2.3 The Case Against Microsoft Spinello (2002, p. 83) in his work â€Å"Regulating Cyberspace: The Policies and Technologies of Control† inform us that there are four distinct aspects of the United States government case which is based upon violations of the Sherman Act, which are as follows: The company’s monopolization of the PC operating systems market was achieved via anticompetitive means, specially in the instance of the utilization of its browser, in violation of â€Å"Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which declares that it is unlawful for a person or firm to â€Å"monopolize†¦any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations† (Spinello, 2002, p. 83). That Microsoft engaged in â€Å"†¦Unlawful exclusive dealing arrangements in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act (this category includes Microsoft’s exclusive deal with America Online)† (Spinello, 2002, p. 83). That Microsoft in its attempt to maintain it competitive edge in browser software â€Å"†¦attempted to illegally amass monopoly power in the browser market) in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Spinello, 2002, p. 83). And that the bundling of its browser along with the operating system was in violation of â€Å"†¦Section 1 of the Sherman Act (Section 1 of this act prohibits contracts, combinations, and conspiracies in restraint of trade, and this includes tying arrangements) †¦Ã¢â‚¬  †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Spinello, 2002, p. 83). Spinello (2002, p. 89) provides an analysis of the Department of Justice case against the company utilizing a distinct example as represented by Netscape. He contends that the option for consumer choice was never inhibited by Microsoft, and that Netscape’s own practices contributed to the decline in popularity of its browser. Chapter 3 –Analysis 3.1 Bundling, Competitive or Market Restrictive? The Concise Dictionary of Business Management (Statt, 1999, p. 109) defines a monopoly as â€Å"A situation in which a market is under the control or domination of a single organization †. The Dictionary continues that â€Å"This condition is generally considered to be met at one-quarter to one-third of the market in question (and that) †¦ A monopoly is contrary to the ideal of the free market and is therefore subject to legal sanctions in all industrialized countries with a capitalist or mixed economy†. In addressing this facet of the Microsoft case, McKenzie (2000, p. 27) elaborates that Microsoft’s market position as a ‘single seller’ in the market as a result of its dominance represents â€Å"†¦ latent, if not kinetic, monopoly power† and in the opinion of the judge presiding over the case, the company is â€Å"†¦illegally exploiting its market power in various ways to its own advantage and to the detriment of existing and potential market rivals and, more important, consumers†. This goes to the heart of the matter concerning the assertion that Microsoft’s monopolist approach is stifling competition and innovation as its bundling practices effectively eliminates software such as Netscape and others from becoming an option for other companies as the Internet browser Explorer comes preloaded with Windows and Vista operating software. This view was publicly asserted by the United States Attorney General at the time, Janet Reno in a 1997 press conference where she stated on behalf of the Justice Department that Microsoft is unlawfully taking advantage of its Windows monopoly to protect and extend that monopoly (McKenzie, 2000, p. 27). Gillett and Vogelsang (1999, p. xiv) in â€Å"Competition, Regulation, and Convergence: Current Trends in Telecommunications Policy Research† advise that â€Å"†¦Bundling is a contentious element of software competition that has been at the heart of the Microsoft antitrust litigation, and represents an integral aspect in the examination of how and if Microsoft’s monopolistic approach to software bundling has an effect on innovation and competition. They state that â€Å" †¦ through bundling, can profitably extend this monopoly to another product, for which it faces competition from a firm offering a superior product (in the sense that it would generate more surplus than the product offered by the monopolist) (Gillett and Vogelsang, 1999, p. xiv). They continue that â€Å"†¦Bundling the two products turns out to be an equilibrium outcome that makes society in general and consumers in particular worse off than they would be with competition without bundl ing †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Gillett and Vogelsang (1999, p. xiv) offer the idea that â€Å"†¦bundling is likely to be welfare reducing and that unbundling would not be a suitable remedy †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Aron and Wildman (1999, p. 1) advise us that through the use of bundling a company can exclude its rivals through the combined pricing, thus successfully leveraging its monopoly power. They continue that the preceding represents part of an equilibrium strategy by which the monop

Rocking Horse Winner and The Destructors Essay -- Graham Greene D.H. L

Rocking Horse Winner and The Destructors There are many differences and similarities between Graham Greene’s â€Å"The Destructors† and D.H. Lawrence’s â€Å"Rocking Horse Winner.† One general difference is that in â€Å"The Destructors† the setting is in Great Britain, after the bombing had happened during World War 1, when the buildings were destroyed. The setting of â€Å"Rocking Horse Winner† is a suburban community located on the outskirts of Baltimore, Maryland. This one distinct difference affects the entire background of each story. The setting of â€Å"The Destructors† brings mood and feeling into the story were ass the setting of â€Å"Rocking Horse Winner† is just a general setting which could be changed and would not have a significant affect on the story as a whole. One general similarity between the two stories is that they both have a young boy as the main character, but the use of this character is very different in each story. The boy in â€Å"Rocking Horse Winner† is more innocent and unknowing of the evil the world can hold, he also hasn’t reached the rebellion stage of adolescence. In the other story â€Å"The Destructors† you have â€Å"T† who comes from a high class English family but is forced into poverty by the war, but he has already begun his rebellion against what is â€Å"good.† The similarities and differences between money, class, and family values in the stories are much more significant because they have more affect on each story and on the reader. One of the key differences between â€Å"...

Government Provided Health Care Essay

For many years, health care cost has risen and challenged many businesses, households, and the government. With the health care cost constantly rising, more and more people become uninsured. There are many approaches to improve the health care system including: Government-provided health care, Private insurer health care, and a mix of both. Although, all the different ways have their perks, government provided stands out. Government provided health care is the best approach because every American citizen will have health insurance, it would simplify the system, all workers will have health care benefits, and it will contain and lower costs more than any other approach. Having every American citizen being provided with health insurance, and eliminating private insurers, will definitely simplify the system. All that would need to be done to jump start government provided health care is to create a single payer system, replace current insurance premiums, lower prices on drugs, and create a universal set of insurance forms to cover everyone. Every American deserves to have access to high quality and affordable health care, no matter what their income situation, employment situation, or medical conditions. With the government provided system, all workers will have health care benefits, and lower costs on health insurance. Workers will have greater freedom and better choices if they don’t have to worry about picking a job solely for the health care benefits. Over the years, there has been lots of evidence that shows the single payer system is the best approach to achieving basic health care goals. First, two government offices, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and General Accounting Office Greear 2 (GAO) reached a conclusion that only the single payer plan was likely to save the most money. Second, Medicare claims that the single payer system for  the elderly has lower administrative and overall costs than any other approach thus far. Third, Canada has a single payer system, which has much lower administrative costs than the U.S. System. Health care administration costs in the U.S. In 1999 was over 200 billion, to whereas Canada’s was only 159 billion. The single payer system works so well in Canada, its only logical to try the system here. Finally, the government provided, single payer system could achieve cost containment success more readily than any other system with three basic principals. First, this system may make it possible to reduce the administrative costs in the U.S. Second, the single payer system may be able to vigorously attack the market condition, where there is only one buyer, and gain bargaining powers over other providers. Finally, the single payer system could control the overall level of health care resources. All in all, the single payer system is less costly than any other approach and spends a slightly smaller amount of the gross domestic product (GDP) on health, according to Sherry Glied from Columbia University. The differences in system performance among the different coverages are small, but government provided, single payer system has the most distinct difference as far as cost containment and savings. At some point, everyone will need access to health care or treatment, with government provided insurance, that will be taken care of. Work Cited DeGrazia, D. â€Å"Single Payer Meets Managed Competition.† Hastings Center Report 38.1 (2008): 23-33. CINAHL. Web. 22 May 2013. Glied, S. â€Å"Single Payer As A Financing Mechanism.† Journal Of Health Politics, Policy & Law 34.4 (2009): 593-615. CINAHL. Web. 22 May 2013. Publicagenda.org-Health Care. Citizens’ Solutions Guides 2012. Web. 22 May 2013.

Essay about Finicial Effect

Essay about Finicial Effect Essay about Finicial Effect Cause/Effect Topic: Financial Crisis As the recovery from the financial crisis seems fragile; now, with sequestration taking effect will this drive the national debt higher or will this force our government to play nice and get this country back on its feet. As the recovery from the financial crisis seems fragile, now with sequestration taking effect will this drive the national debt higher or will this force our government to take steps to get this country back on its feet. With mandatory budgets cuts going into effect on March 1, a vast range of government services and millions of people, are going to feel these effects. The Defense Dept. faces up to 46 billion dollar loss in funding, which could open this country up to terriost attacks. Naval ships maybe delayed on their deployments which could result in less attack forces patrolling the waterways. Our troops will not lose any of their pay furthermore up to 800,000 military civilian employees could be laid off in April. Servicemen and women who have lost their lives during combat could see burial delays at Arlington National Cemetery. With the looming budget cuts, 9 percent of unemployed workers collecting unemployment benefits will not receive them. More than 100,000 formerly homeless people would lose their current housing. About 125,000 low income families would be at risk of losing their housing due to cuts in rental assistance. 373,000 seriously mental ill people would lose care with these cuts. Less food would be tested by the FDA. Thousands of people who need HIV medication would not receive this medication under the current budgets cuts, over 400,000 HIV test would be on the chopping block as well. These cuts will also have major impacts on state funding from Public Health, Law Enforcement grants, Child care reduction. National Parks will see several campgrounds and picnic areas closed, which could result in over 300,000 visitor reduction and loss of revenue for those states. Several states have already made cuts to sustain and keep programs in place; with these looming cuts states are going

Goal

Goal relationships and competition for resources affect healthy relationship, which exist among people. This makes the people have sour relationship among them, which makes a person fail to experience peace of heart and peace of mind. A person also pursues to have peace of heart and peace of mind by reference to divine intervention. Religion acts as a reference to many people as they strive to attain peace of heart and peace of mind. Religion acts as a source of aspiration to many people. Persons own religious beliefs are a source of inspiration. When a person is faced with conflict, he, or she may try to seek divine intervention to have peace. Religious believes have their own ways in which they inspire peace to the believers. The religious beliefs have some spiritual inspirations, which they put to people so that they can be healed of any problem they may be faced by at different circumstances. Spiritual nourishment acts as a source of peace to many people both in their minds and in the heart. This is because many religious teaching offers hope to a person that tomorrow is always a better day. Therefore, they give hope to many people who may have no hope. This makes a person to turn to religion when striving to attain this goal of peace of mind and peace of heart. However, there is always opposition when a person tries to attain peace of heart and peace of mind by use of religious intervention. There are many times when the religious intervention fails to provide this peace. This especially happens if a person needs instant peace or the person has so many conflicts. This is because for one to attain peace through religious interventions one needs to have strong faith. If one does not have this faith then, person may not attain peace by use of religious intervention. Therefore, as can be seen from the essay peace of mind and peace of heart is a basic need if a person has to attain full human development. Every person would enjoy life in one has this peace. However as we have seen there are opposition that come on the way, so it becomes important for a person to be able to face the opposition and strive more to attain this goal of having peace of mind and peace of heart in his or her life.

American Probation and Parole Association Research Proposal

American Probation and Parole Association - Research Proposal Example This is because the traditional custodial sentences are likely to cause more wrong for the offender and the society when compared with probation. Probation therefore keeps a person under the control and management of a probation officer who has the duty to ensure that the offender complies with the terms and requirements placed on him by the courts. A similar form of probation is handed down to convicted prisoners who have spent a portion of their jail terms. This is known as a parole. A parole is â€Å"a planned community release and supervision of incarcerated offenders before the expiration of their full prison sentences† (Siegel and Worall, 2012 p67). These two forms of punishments imposed by the courts are meant to promote the integration of offenders back into society and also prevent the unnecessary incarceration of persons in overcrowded jails. The America Probation and Parole Association (APPA) is the national association of parole and probation officers charged with the supervision of offenders who are placed on parole or probation. They are considered to be part of the correctional system, however, they play a significant role in the criminal justice system because they are a link between the correctional system and the legal system (Banks, 2004). The fudamental duties of probational officers include: 1. Supervising offenders 2. Maintaining contacts with parolees and probationers. 3. Provide counseling services for parolees and probationers. 4. Resolve conflict involving the treatment, integration and surveillance of parolees and probationers. 5. Writing reports about probation and paroles for the courts (Banks, 2004). The APPA members are required to exhibition professionalism, uphold the law, work with objectivity, co-operate with relevant professionals, recognize and practice the principles of APPA and maintain public faith in the criminal justice system (Banks, 2004). From these ideals and standards, APPA members and officers are required to work according to very high standards and provide a very effective service to the society. However, in reality, there are significant issues that stand in their way. A lot of these problems are identified in journals and books that were presented by professionals who are related to the criminal justice industry. Some of them are explored below in the literature review. Literature Review â€Å"Probation officers supervise two-thirds of all correctional clientele in the United States† (Petersilia, 1997 p149). This means that they have a lot of work to do. And relative to prison officers, they are more burdened in terms of workload (Petersilia, 1997). However, in spite of their effort, they have a limited budget that is much lower than what the prison officers and correctional service officers receive. Also, they are ill-equipped and as such, felons go unsupervised. This gives them an image as lenient officers in the criminal justice system. Petersilia and Turner (1993) studi ed the intensive supervision program that was instituted in the early 1980s closely. This program allowed parole and probation officers to undertake close survillance, urinalysis testing, treatment and employment of convicted offenders. This was a very strict method of

No topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

No topic - Essay Example It was noticed that people who hold a biblical perspective are radically different in their views on common positions about moral principles. In addition, they choose a lifestyle which is very different from other people`s one. People, who believe in the Creator, do not recognize the scientific and pseudo-scientific theories about the origin of the universe. Moreover, they may believe that they came to Earth with a certain purpose, at least, to lead a virtuous life, and then - as the highest award – their souls would reunite with God. They believe that God directs them, and he also sends the tests to them - in some ways it is similar to the ideas of fatalism. In addition, it is difficult to convince the followers of monotheism that other point of view have a right to exist too. The Word of the Creator - as the highest incomprehensible creature, who causes trembling – lead to no distinguish between "religious" and "secular" life; there is only the Christian life. Mark Twain vividly expressed opinion on the subject of the cruelty of God, his abuse and violence on his creations: â€Å"Our Bible reveals to us the character of our God with minute and remorseless exactness. [†¦] In the Old Testament His acts expose His vindictive, unjust, ungenerous, pitiless and vengeful nature constantly. He is always punishing—punishing trifling misdeeds with thousand-fold severity; punishing innocent children for the misdeeds of their parents; punishing unoffending populations for the misdeeds of their rulers; even descending to wreak bloody vengeance upon harmless calves and lambs and sheep and bullocks, as punishment for inconsequential trespasses committed by their proprietors. [†¦] It makes Nero an angel of light and leading, by contrast†. True, the Bible says not to kill, not to steal, love thy neighbor as thyself, love your enemies and so on. Therefore, when we hear the call for