Economics of Multinational Enterprise Assignment

Economics of Multinational Enterprise - Assignment Example One of the ways of addressing the risks is by use of operational hedging. This entails introducing a significant degree of flexible in the main operations of a firm. These include the supply chain, channels of distribution, financial positions, and marketing activities (Aghion et al 35). The objective of this strategy is to create adaptable operations that can rapidly respond to any change in the currency movement. This ensures that the fluctuations that may affect the revenues and the costs are offset. Firms can increase their profits by hedging by adopting various strategies. First, they can source materials thus lowering the costs of transportation resulting in increased profits. Another imperative way that the MNEs can adopt is the use of currency invoicing. This implies that the firm can choose a particular denomination that ensures the firm's prices, as well as those of the competitors, are affected by the exchange rate in the same way. This implies that for any firm to retain a competitive position in the market and attain sustainable profits, it can price its products using a volatile currency as long as the competitors use the same price. According to Grassman’s Law, MNEs should use a vehicle currency by considering their stability, low transaction cost, and liquidity. Based on the three aspects, the US dollar has been used as a vehicle currency for a long time by most of Multinational Enterprises. In their efforts to enter the emerging economies, the majority of MNEs undergo challenges that are associated with the legal process, legislative issues as well as technological factors. As a result, the investment flows from the rich countries to the poor countries are adversely affected. However, by initiating strategic economic policies, the investment flows can have similar effects to those of the free trade. One of the strategies that the host countries should emulate is to ensure that the home currency does not depreciate.

The education in the field of nursing in the commendable program Essay

The education in the field of nursing in the commendable program - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that according to an anonymous quote, â€Å"save one life, you are a hero. Save 100 lives, you are a nurse†. It would not be wrong to consider the profession of nursing as one of the strong pillars in the field of medicine. This profession not only involves the acquisition of effective medical knowledge and skills, it also requires a tender heart that can sympathize with the pain of the patients. The relevance of nursing is often undermined by being overshadowed with more attractive jobs of surgeons and consultants. The researcher believes that the doctors’ treatments need to be coupled with effective and tender care by nurses to ensure long term health for the patients. It is due to this belief that the author has been inclined towards this noble profession since many years and wants to pursue his education in your esteemed institution. The author’s childhood memories have some instances when the author’s parent s would take me to a shelter and spend time with the less fortunate ones in the society. It was often witnessed that effective medical treatment was being given to them, however, the tender care of their loved ones was missing which would lead to boosting their morale and head them towards the road of better health. The absence of family members in the lives of such people was seen to be filled with the care of nurses. The commitment of those professionals was worth admiration which made me work as a volunteer nurse for a few times.

Being Christian: Living For God

Being Christian: Living For God Introduction Christianity is the religion that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Bible. The duration of the last seven weeks have taught me a lot more about Christianity and what it means to be a Christian. I do proclaim to be a Christian, and I was saved in November of 2008. I have always been in church my entire life, and my father and grandfather are both preachers. During this course I have learned a lot, but I would like to highlight three of my favorite topics in writing. The topic I will discuss first is if Jesus claimed to be God. Secondly I will talk about the reasons it does matter how a Christian lives their life. Lastly I will discuss whether or not Jesus needed to be born of a virgin. Section One- Did Jesus claim to be God? Jesus was never actually quoted in the Bible saying the words I am God. But, that does not mean he did not claim to be God. Jesus said in John 10:30. I and the Father are one. Jesus receives worship many times in the scripture. If Jesus were not God he would have told people to not worship him, or stop worshipping him. Also, if Jesus were not God his death would not be abundant enough to pay for the sins of you and me. A human being could not pay the penalty required for sin against a boundless God. Only God could take on the sins of the world, die and be resurrected on the third day, proving His victory over sin and death. Jesus was referred to as many different names throughout the Bible. He was called Master, Savior, Messiah, Alpha, Omega, The Good Shepard, and The Lamb of God just to name a few. I chose to write about this topic simply because, some people do not know or understand that Jesus and God are one in the same. Some people believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but not n ecessarily the same being. This was indeed one of my favorite subjects to learn about during this course because I have never really thought about and researched the many reasons why Jesus is God. Section Two- If a person is a Christian, does it matter how they live their life? Being a Christian means you are living for God. It most definitely matters how a Christian lives his or her life. To be a good Christian there are several things you should practice. The Bible is Gods word inspired through Him. Reading the Bible daily to help better understand the word and may answer many questions you may have as you try to live a life pleasing to God. A Christian should pray daily and praise God for who He is and what He has done in your life. Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, and let it teach, guide, and strengthen you in times of need. Attend church regularly to worship him and grow as a Christian. When you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you begin a relationship not only with him, but with other Christians as well. All Christians need to learn how to deal with temptation. Temptation is a part of life. The Bible says, Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mathew 26:41). Christians sh ould be prepared for temptation, through prayer and your knowledge of Gods word. All Christians sin, but you must ask for Gods forgiveness for your sins. To me the most important aspect of living a Christian life is to tell others about Jesus. Letting others know about Christ through your words and actions is the only way some people may hear about Christ. The more people we witness to and tell about Jesus, the more souls we will be winning for Christ. I know I am a fairly new Christian and have only been saved for about two and a half years now, but through this course I have now learned more about how to serve God in the best way possible that is most pleasing to him. Section Three- Did Jesus need to be born of a virgin? I do think that yes, it was very imperative that Jesus be born of a virgin. Jesus birth was a miracle. It is not normally possible for a woman to conceive a child being a virgin. Jesus was conceived by the Holt Spirit, not by man. Jesus had to be born of the most humble beings to carry out His great task. He was conceived out of wedlock, born in a stable, and placed in a feeding trough for a bed. The astounding birth is definite proof that Jesus is the Messiah and that He is the Son of God. I think the virgin birth of Jesus is if not the most important, but one of the most important parts of the Bible. If Jesus had not been born of a virgin, He could not have died on the cross to save us from our sins. I think it is absolutely amazing how someone could be born a virgin birth, and that is exactly why this is one of my favorite topics of the course, simply because it is just so miraculous. Conclusion To say this course has taught me a lot about Christianity is an understatement. I have learned so much more than I ever thought I would, and actually enjoyed doing so. It is not often someone says they enjoy the readings and doing the assignments for a course, defiantly not me at least. I would say the one aspect that I enjoyed most about this course was the study guides. I would go through all of the readings every week almost like a scavenger hunt, and get excited every time I reached one of the answers. It was also very beneficial in preparing for the various quizzes and exams. I do not think I have ever said I actually enjoyed a college course, but I truthfully enjoyed this course. Being a Christian I think it is fun to learn more about the history and different stories about Jesus. It makes not seem so much like school work, when you can actually relate to it so much. THEO 104 Course Paper Grading Scale (include as the last page of your paper) Possible Points Points Received Content: Does the paper cover the subject as thoroughly as possible? Are three topics covered? Does it demonstrate a personal understanding of the subject? 80 Introduction: Paper has an introductory paragraph 20 Structure: Did student provide headings for each section? 10 Conclusion: Paper is given a concluding paragraph 20 Spelling/Grammar 40 Grading Rubric: Is this page provided as the last page of the paper? 10 Format: Is the paper 12 point, Times New Roman font and one-inch margins, double-spaced 20 Comments from Instructor: Total Score 200

Optimal Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Detection Essay -- Technology

Introduction The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a microwave active imagery system that has been largely used due to its possibility of day-and-night operation in all weather conditions. The SAR system generates images by the coherent processing of the scattering signals; this results in a scene texture that has an undesired multiplicative speckled noise, drastically reduces the ability to distinguish the features of the classes [1]. The rejection of the speckle noise motivated many works where ANN algorithms have been applied to SAR imagery classification [2][3][4][5]. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms have been increasingly applied to remote sensing for image classification in the last years [6][7][8][9]. SAR images have found many applications in the field of Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). Target detection is a signal processing problem whereby one attempts to detect a stationary target embedded in background clutter while minimizing the false alarm probability. The rapid increase of ANN applications in remote sensing imagery classification is mainly due to their ability to perform equally or more accurately than other classification techniques [10]. In a general way, the major advantages of the neural network method over traditional classifiers are: †¢ Easy adaptation to different types of data and input configuration, †¢ Simple incorporation of ancillary data sources, as textural information, which can be difficult or impossible with conventional techniques, †¢ Does not use or need a priori knowledge about parameters of distributions. ANN algorithms find the best nonlinear function, in the optimal case, between the input and the output data without any constraint of linearity or pre-specified nonl... ...e Galinhas, November 2002. 7. J.A. Benediktsson, P.H. Swain, O.K. Ersoy, â€Å"Neural Network approaches versus statistical methods in classification of multisource remote sensing data†, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and. Remote Sensing, v.28, n.4, p.540-552, 1990. 8. H. Bischof, W. Schneider, A.J. Pinz, â€Å"Multispectral classification of landsat-images using neural networks†, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v.30, n.3, p.482-490, 1992. 9. Y. Hara, R.G. Atkins, S.H. Yueh, R.T. Shin, J.A. Kong, â€Å"Application of neural networks to radar image classification†, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v.32, n.1, p.100-109, 1994. 10. K.S. Chen, W.P. Huang, T.H. Tsay, F. Amar, â€Å"Classification of multifrequency polarimetric SAR imagery using a dynamic learning neural network†, IEEE Trans. Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v.34, n.3, p.814-820, 1996.

Me, Myself, and Why Problem Set Essay

1. What is the difference between self-interest and selfishness? Why is this distinction important when considering the competitive market economy as appropriate for society? Self-interest is looking out for your best interest and finding the best possible alternatives that will benefit yourself in the business world. Selfishness is putting your own interests above the interests of others and making decisions solely based on how they will benefit you. This distinction is imperative in considering the competitive market that is appropriate for society because you need to make sure that you are looking out for yourself but at the same time you should not make market decisions based solely off your own selfish interests. A selfish business man or woman will never be successful in the long run. 2. Does your textbook present only positive economics and avoid any normative economics? If not, give some examples of normative economics covered in your textbook. The textbook presents both positive economics and normative economics. An example of normative economics that is used in the textbook states â€Å"a value-free interpretation [of economics] leads to all sorts of abuses† (42). Normative economics incorporate subjectivity in to their analysis. Normative economics are heavily influenced by value judgment as well as theoretical situations. Normative economics are the opposite of positive economics. 3. What did Adam Smith believe serves to curb self-interest in an economy? â€Å"People care what others think of them and it is this desire for the good opinion of others that constrains people in their pursuit of self-interest† (41). Adam goes on to say, â€Å"this constraint is reinforced by competition and by the jurisprudence system† (41). Smith believes that others opinions shape what they pursue. Smith opposed the exclusive privileges of corporations and even went as far to oppose  regulations such as taxes which he claims gave individuals the ability to gain an unfair advantage. 4. What does it mean to seek the Kingdom of God in a democratic capitalist economy? How can it be done? Capitalism and Christianity can be combined. It may be difficult to combine the two because many Christians believe that it is better to always put the interests of others before yourself. However, Christ calls us to be good stewards of what He has given us and it is important to be good business men and woman that strive to be warriors for the Lord. Christ has not called us to be mediocre but to rise to the top and to shine for Him. The book states, â€Å"we’re not perfect, but we can strive to act righteously with in a system that accommodates both vice and virtue† (50).

Pearson Custom Business Resources Essay

Carrefour is global brand whose market edge is ideal. The supermarket chain is revered across the world. It is keeping this in mind that such a brand should always seek to have and maintain this success; key aspect would be to ensure that all their potential customers are reached wherever they are in the globe. One of the ways to ensure this is achieved would be the indulgence of information systems or information technology. Carrefour prides itself in provision of quality products at convenient prices. (Caneja, n.p.)Company overview Carrefour is known to be among the leading supermarket chains in the globe. The supermarket chain is believed to have emanated from France. They have about eleven thousand outlets across the globe; these outlets serve about two billion customers worldwide. This business operates under a number of banners; there are supermarkets, hypermarkets as well as some stores that operate as cash and carry outlets. (Caneja, n.p.) Products offered by Carrefour Company and its target market Carrefour is a business that thrives mostly on the sale of consumer products. The items are the common ones used from day to day within households. Products by this outlet are set at prices that are within the range of the common citizen. At times they also offer their goods at good discounted rates which is a welcome relief to many. Carrefour targets the emerging markets that are found within Asia as well as the Latin American region. (Caneja, n.p.)The two regions offer a prudent growth and untapped area where the large populations favor the retail business set up. Asia offers an exposure to about almost one and a half billion people cumulatively while Latin America offers almost half a billion. Such untapped areas are worth the consideration for expansion; but for now they seem to be working on consolidating their existing market share before venturing out to these areas. (Caneja, n.p.) Marketing plan Carrefour is working on improving their information systems and the corresponding infrastructure. Employees especially those who are coming into contact with the customers directly seem to be the probable individuals to kick off the exercise. Improving and polishing up customer relations is another aspect that has to be worked on. Systems would have to be set out that favor the real-time and constant communication between employees and management when it comes to service delivery to customers. (Salmons, p.125)Technology is also employed when it comes to the monitoring of operations that go around the firm. For effective service delivery; their systems around the globe would have to be re-evaluated with the sole purpose of phasing out redundant ones to be replaced by functional technology. Example of Bluetooth beacons which may be set up on shopping carts is one way; this would help them in making out shopping tendencies of customers. (Swedberg, p.17)The data collected would be of use when creating future business strategies. Milestones achieved by Carrefour In 2014 Carrefour did manage post revenue collections of about one and two billion dollars; with net profit of about two billion dollars. The total asset base rose to about sixty one billion dollars. However revenues decreased by about five percent but profitability rose by close to six percent. Around the same period the retail chain had about ten thousand two hundred stores globally. This number cuts across various types of stores; about four types. (Fortune, n.p.)The financial plan Carrefour would have to post about fifteen billion dollars in sales monthly; in order to post about one hundred and eighty billion dollars as overall collection. Such revenue collection would translate into about a net profit margin of about two and half billion dollars; this would eventually be a step past the grey area they were in 2014. (Salmons, 127)For this to be achieved ICT usage and diversification within the firm would have to be enhanced. Customer relations management and well calculated expansion regime is crucial. Personnel would have to be trained and drilled in line with the future aspiration of the company. (Salmons, p.137) References BIBLIOGRAPHY Caneja, Ana-Diaz. Pearson Custom Business Resources. London: Pearson Plc , 2011. Salmons, Janet. â€Å"Global e-business and collaboration.† Salmons, Janet. Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration and Organizational Synergy. Hershey, Pennsylvania : IGI Global , 2012. 122-142. Swedberg, Claire. â€Å"Carrefour To Use Bluetooth Beacons to Track Carts, Baskets .† RFID Journal (2014): 17-18. Fortune,. ‘Global 500’. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Jan. 2015. Source document

The eNotes Blog eNotes Book Club February(Folklore)

Book Club February(Folklore) In this month’s installment of our book club series, we gave ourselves the theme of â€Å"folklore.† If you’re looking for fantastical stories, creation myths, and tales of magic, read on! â€Å"The Man in the Woods† by Shirley Jackson To kick off our folklore book club, I chose The Man in the Woods by legendary prose-stylist Shirley Jackson. Published in 2014 as part of a new release of her unpublished works, this short story draws on European folklore and a little Greek mythology to craft a haunting, ambiguous tale of a young mans date with destiny: Christopher delves deep into the forest, past looming branches and overpowering pines, and arrives at a mysterious cottage at the end of the road. There he meets Phyllis, Aunt Cissy, and Mr. Oakes, who invite Christopher to dinner. Little does he know that many travelers have come this way before, and that the true nature of the man in the woods has yet to reveal itself. I guess I was a little frightened, Christopher said with a small embarrassed laugh. All those trees. Indeed, yes, Mr. Oakes said placidly. All those trees. Beautifully written, full of tension, and ripe for discussion, The Man in the Woods is an excellent example of Jacksons craft. Who is he dares enter these my woods? Read and see. - Wes â€Å"Advent† and â€Å"The Tooth† by Heather Christle After a discouragingly long hunt for the perfect piece of folklore, I stumbled upon these poems by Heather Christle. â€Å"Advent† reads as a personal meditation on the ending of a year or season, but I felt the language used created a lot of folklore-inspired imagery. A few of the lines felt like call-outs to typical folklore tropes and themes: for instance, a line about stars and books about stars felt like an allusion to creation myths while another line about animals reminded me of traditional fables. It’s hopeless, the stars, the books / about stars I want this world / to remain with me, this holy tumult Where â€Å"Advent† falls short in actually telling a folklore-inspired tale, â€Å"The Tooth† prevails. The stilted, choppy language tells the tale of an abstracted creation myth wherein one tooth has the power to create- or erase- all of existence. The simplistic style of â€Å"The Tooth† acts as a call-out to oral tellings of folklore and fairy tales. The group had a lot of fun dissecting the puzzle of this particular poem- I definitely recommend Christle’s work to anyone who wants to grapple with a good literary puzzle. Two men share / one tooth. From / one tooth the men / predict the world. - Kate â€Å"The Mirror, the Bucket, and the Old Thigh Bone† by Kristen Roupenian Youve probably heard of Kristen Roupenian from her viral short story sensation, â€Å"Cat Person,† when it was published in the New Yorker in 2017. I happened to be reading Roupenians brand new collection of short stories, You Know You Want This (which includes â€Å"Cat Person†) when we picked this theme. I went with the story â€Å"The Mirror, the Bucket, and the Old Thigh Bone† because it has magic, a princess, and a little bit of trickery, and because I figured itd be fun to add to the mix something that had just been released. Also, what a great title! This piece received varied reviews from our readers- meaning it’s probably a solid book club selection! Many of the female-identifying members resonated with the sense of female-role restriction, of feeling trapped by circumstance, which you can gather from the opening lines: Once there was a princess who needed to get married. No one expected this would present a problem. Another one of our members had a touching take of the story through the lens of a queer-adolescent experience. This is what I really enjoyed about this pick, and what made the discussion lasting and impressionable: that each reader had such a personal experience with this tale. And while it wasnt the strongest story, literarily-speaking, that we read this round (and Savannah really nailed her overall review on this entire collection in our February Reads blog), I think there are plenty of interesting- and personal- discussion threads to pull on with this (super) contemporary work. - Samantha Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino For our round of folklore readings, I chose Italo Calvino’s 1972 book, Invisible Cities, which reimagines the legendary tà ªtetà ªte between Venetian explorer Marco Polo and Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan. The book consists of fifty-five prose poems in which Polo describes the far-flung cities of the Khan’s vast empire. As a storyteller, Polo is equal parts wise and mischievous, and the cities he evokes are fantastical dreamscapes, insoluble puzzles, and meditations on desire and memory. Although Polo’s cities are fictitious, you may find, as I did, that you have visited them before. Calvino’s writing offers a feast for the imagination and- thanks to William Weaver’s gorgeous translation- music for the ear. - Zack â€Å"The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi† translated by Sioned Davies In contrast to more recent or interpretive works, the medieval Welsh â€Å"The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi† (elsewhere translated from â€Å"Math fab Mathonwy† as â€Å"Math the Son of Mathonwy†) branches out from itself, seeming more like an aggregate of shorter tales than a narrative in its own right. It follows the exploits of Gwydion, nephew to the lord Math, as he orchestrates a war with the southern lord Pryderi as a distraction so that his brother Gilfaethwy can rape Math’s virgin footrest. The brothers are punished (in one of the weirdest revenges any of us had ever read), and the resulting search for a new footrest leads to the birth of a hero, a quest for a name, and a couple of transformations into birds. The story’s origin in an oral tradition was engaging in some ways and alienating in others. Drastic understatement and a blunt tone- a favorite sentence for many involved the reduction of a giant battle to, â€Å"And then there was immeasurable slaughter†- brought out strangeness in specific moments, and an unhinged dream-logic was either compelling or confusing, depending on the reader. The overall â€Å"grandpa-rambly† style of the narrative and a lack of interiority to characters made this selection difficult to emotionally access, but it stands as a great example of folklore’s ability to record a culture’s values and is well worth discussing. - Caitlin â€Å"The Boy Who Wanted More Cheese† by William Elliot Griffis While my selection strayed a bit from folklore, I found it still worthy of sharing due to Klass van Bommel’s unmatched affinity for cheese. The title of this Dutch fairytale pretty much sums up the entire narrative- boy loves cheese, boy wants more cheese, boy almost dies from cheese. One night, after a scolding from his mother for taking his sister’s cheese, Klass is lured by fairies with the promise of more cheese: â€Å"Plenty of cheese here. Plenty of cheese here. Come, come!† As fairies force feed Klass an uncanny amount of cheese, he realizes the negative consequences of his gluttony and greed. No more than a ten-minute read, I suggest pairing this tale with an aged Gouda and a toast to Klass van Bommel for his unwavering commitment to yellow gold. - Savannah

WOMEN LIFE IN ANCIENT TIMES essays

WOMEN LIFE IN ANCIENT TIMES essays From the earliest years of ancient times, womens status were defined by their relationship to men. A woman was in second place to the man never the first. Since early historical times, women have been considered not only intellectually inferior to men but also a major source of temptation and evil. Early Roman law described women as children, forever inferior to men. The double standard certainly involves more than biology; it is also a product of the historical domination of women by men. In ancient western civilizations, cultures like Romans; the status of women were clearly defined as inferior to men either through script law, or custom that is understood and obeyed by everyone in these cultures. Rome was founded as a patriarchal society, women were the property of their fathers later their husbands. However, in early Christian culture women are held in higher regard than the previous two cultures mainly because of Jesus and Paul. Jesus teaches equality, but Paul spread his messa ge and popularised Christianity. In ancient Greece, women were not equally treated, and men were more important and the female less essential; the male is the ruler and female is the subject. The Greek word for woman, gyne was also their word for wife. No differentiation was made between the two, which leads one to be live that, the Greeks assumed a womans main role was to be a wife. The law of the Greeks makes it intelligible that, the function of a woman was the obligation to bear children, especially male children who would preserved the family line(Spielvogel 79). This shows proof that the Greek world was male dominated and women had little say in their daily life and activities. A woman of these times could not be entrusted to handle her own private affairs, or support her self. Women were under the guidance and instruction of a man at all times, if it were their husbands, father or another male ...

Carrying An Activity Is Related To Money

Discuss About The Carrying An Activity Is Related To Money? Business stands for carrying an activity that is related to money. It is operated in every part of the globe and as the business grows, it looks for more opportunities across the border. International business is the term that is used for the operation and objective of a nation that have some interest in other countries. International business includes all the commercial transactions whether it is private or governmental, sales, investments, transportation that takes place between two or more religions, ethics, culture or nation. Many companies such as Tesco, Disney, and Ford are having its business operations in other countries to earn profit and to grow its business. With more opportunities, the international business is also very complex. And for solving these complications, organisations appoints international managers. They are the ones who ease the company’s operations in other countries. An international manager is a wide-ranging title for an executive who handles the c orporation’s global processes. Large companies recruit numerous departmental international managers such as managers who are in charge of worldwide sales, social marketing or foreign business. This study will elaborate the challenges and possible opportunities for the managers that are operating in a global environment. It will outline a brief description of international environment and the challenges that managers face while operating in a global business environment. In addition to this, the essay will also demonstrate some practical examples for an Australian organisation which is facing challenges in the international competition and expansion. At last, the study will outline the personal views of the researcher. International business is the term that is used for the operation and objective of a nation that have some interest in other countries. International business includes all the commercial transactions whether it is private or governmental, sales, investments, transportation that takes place between two or more religions, ethics, culture or nation. It comprises any type of trade operations that overlaps national boundaries. In the terms of definition scale, international business is demarcated as companies that purchases or sell goods or facilities across two or more nationwide borders, even the administration of the company is situated in a single nation (Teagarden, 2017). Starting a commercial operation in a foreign land is a thrilling prospect, but the management of the company must be equipped for the range of encounters that come with functioning in a massively dissimilar situation. It is important for the managers of these organisations to reflect the economic, political and soci al climate of the region in which the company is going to function. Having a rigorous research about the republic in which the company is going to operate will enable the managers to face the difficulties or challenges associated while operating overseas. While the global business context faces environmental issues, a small portion of international manager environmental substructure shows a crucial character for the business. Foreign rivalry impact local competitiveness and its safety is the primary reason that tests every manager ("Managing Human Resources in an International Business", 2017). In order to maintain their visibility in the international marketplace, they must deliberate the encounters and how they discourse them. Here are the main challenges faced by international managers: Communication is the key attribute of every prosperous industry, so international manager has to acquire some level of confidence in the local language and that must be their first importance before interacting with any native client. Not having rudimentary knowledge of local language will create problem for the managers regarding not being able to directly coming to the point. Culture is another problem for managers (Mackenzie, 2010). Not having knowledge about local way of gesture sometimes makes clients unhappy. If the sales are increasing overseas, international managers have to find the means to steer language barricades that may increase towards customer service centre of the organisation.  Ã‚   According to Klebber Terra, the director of operations at the Samarco mine in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, stated that BHP Billiton is facing problem while operating in Brazil. The CEO of BHP Billiton, Andrew Mackenzie stated that the company is very sympathetic and distraught on the operation problem faced by the community. Dealing the business operations in different countries with different cultures, background and language, always creates issues for the service department of an organisation. In these situations, it is important for the international manager of BHP Billiton to have native call centres for the customers which can handle the issues. An organisation business operation could falter quickly if international manager of the company are unaware of the commercial legitimacies and guidelines of the nation in which the business is functioning. Governmental controls, tax rules and health and safety principles vary from site to site and country to country ("International Culture", 2017). It is important for the international managers to study the laws that disturb the corporation’s processes. It is important for them to direct all the necessary investigation and connect the findings and prospects all over the business. It is important for them to understand the several rules and guidelines that manage the company merchandises and services. International managers must conform to the tax laws of the dissimilar countries along with constitutional export conventions. The management of BHP Billiton preserves ethical dealings with the administrations and their assistances, officials and staffs. The company’s aptitude to bear business is unswervingly influenced by foreign government decision making and it is significant for the firm international manager to have exposed and productive dealings with the government. In the Samarco disaster, the town of Bento Rodrigues was completely destroyed. It is evident that the Samarco mine is jointly owned by mining giants Vale of Brazil and BHP Billiton of Australia. With the disaster, and with the country’s laws and regulations, BHP Billiton and its ventured company had to sign a deal with the state and federal public prosecutors to pay US$262 million in damages. It is important for the executive of BHP Billiton to keep more concern about the environmental issues of a foreign state so that it could prevent penalty from the foreign government.     Ã‚   An organisation is likely to deal with foreign currency while operating overseas. In order to complete the transactions successfully, international managers must study the conversation rate to keep up with the up-to-date exchange rates ("International Business- An Overview", 2017). Having mistaken in bookkeeping due to inappropriate calculations could generate a false reportage and legal difficulties, which can reduce the solidity of company’s foot line. International managers for preventing incorrect calculations and other matters must progress a clear company-wide strategy to initiate the workers on accounting performs including the foreign exchange.    Another issue in currency is its ups and downs. For BHP Billiton, the fall in the Chinese market is a very big concern. It is important to state here that China represents the 61% of the global seaborne iron ore demand. For BHP Billiton, sales in China generated $21.6 billion during 2012. But a lower economic growth in China market resulted in the lower prices and demands of the company’s products and also negatively impacted in company’s international market result. The revision of International business prominence on the specific difficulties and chances that appear as an establishment is functioning in more than one nation. In real terms, worldwide business includes the most generalised study for the business field that is modified towards an equitably unique across the boundary situation (Guedes & Faria, 2011). Directing worldwide business is like operating a new field where worldwide managers have to absorb the influences that are essential for operating in that field. Managers who are shrewd in recognizing new conducts of doing trade that please the altering primacies of foreign administrations have a clear and chief modest benefit over their participants who cannot or will not familiarize to these altering primacies. It is evident that BHP Billiton is in the commodities business and this is the thing that most of the foreign investors recognise. As the organisation operation is based on the prices it obtain for their oil, gas, minerals in the world markets, which have been subjected to substantial volatility. It is important for the firm betrothed in worldwide business doings to include a global viewpoint. An establishment supervisory principles can be demarcated on the basis of three board categories namely, services or products to the market assisted, abilities and consequences. But, these viewpoint of global business in significant to recognise and appreciate the complete meaning of international trade (Future international manager, 2014). An establishment international manager must openly define the company’s guiding values in terms of international mandate instead of allowing company’s guiding principles on the terms of international adjust to its national happenings. Having a global outlook on the firm’s basic declaration of purpose will assist in focus of the executives on the opportunities outside the domestic market.   Ã‚  Ã‚   For international managers, it is important to formulate and implement a set of commercial plans for defining the company’s guiding philosophies in the marketplace of a foreign land (Dlabay & Scott, 2011). These guiding principles relative to all the other things should deliver a long-term view of what the establishment is trying to become and achieve and should provide way to the central and subsidiary directors operations with the internationalisation of its markets. Every strategy of international manager comprises a number of secondary approach options. The decision procedure that usually develops in the marketing approach area is an operational one (Dlabay & Scott, 2011). As the international managers develop around a decision circle, previously particular strategies need to be modified. The shares of BHP Billiton got tumbled after the announcement of the company about writing down its multi-billion dollar US assets with its news on the Samarco mine, Brazil. The amount of issues a firm faces is increased while it starts operating in an international market. In international market, decision making process of the managers becomes more complicated. It is evident as one is dealing with multiple currency, legal marketing, and political, economic and cultural schemes (Czinkota, Ronkainen & Moffett, 2011). Geographic and demographic factors are the other things that differ widely. In the international context, it is crucial that the strategic level of the international level must be according to the operating country due to the rigidness of the international environment. A company can change in its implementation while operating nationally in a few months, but if a country is operating globally, contract, custom and law may interfere to make the changes more difficult and could take several years to get settled.; It is evident that starting a business is tough and when an individual is looking for international expansion, it is even tougher. But there are many benefits in expensing the business on a foreign land. There are many advantages such as tax incentives, international partnerships, faster growth and streamlining efficiencies. As per the international situation of BHP Billiton, I learned that the main problem is on the momentum of crafting solutions to the international problems. From my point of view, it is important for the international managers to consider the economic, political and social climate of the region in which the business is going to function. Having a more deep study about the Brazil town situation would have given opportunity to the company to prevent the mine accident. Having a concentrated research about the republic in which the company is going to operate will enable the managers to face the difficulties or challenges associated while operating overseas. Another t hing I think is important is the visibility of the international marketplace. In order to maintain the visibility in the international marketplace, international manager of BHP Billiton must deliberate the encounters and how they address them. If the sales are increasing overseas, international managers have to find the ways to steer language barriers that may increase towards customer service centre of the organisation. With the decrease in The Chinese market, the executives of BHP Billiton could also look on other developing economic countries such as India. An establishment international manager of the stated firm must explicitly define the company’s guiding principles in terms of global mandate instead of allowing company’s guiding principles on the terms of international adjust to its domestic activities. Another thing that international managers must consider is the agenda for international business of the countries. It is important to look out for the countries that have strong programs in place to help foreign investors and could help in making the process as smooth as possible. Czinkota, M., Ronkainen, I., & Moffett, M. (2011).  International business. Hoboken (N.J.): Wiley. Dlabay, L., & Scott, J. (2011).  International business. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Future international manager. (2014). [Place of publication not identified]. Guedes, A., & Faria, A. (2011). Globalization and International Management: In Search of an Interdisciplinary Approach.  Brazilian Administrative Review. Retrieved from https://www.scielo.br/pdf/bar/v4n2/v4n2a03.pdf International Business- An Overview. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.pondiuni.edu.in/storage/dde/downloads/ibiii_ibe.pdf International Culture. (2017).  THE ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. Retrieved from https://www.unice.fr/crookall-cours/iup_cult/_docs/_RUGM_Chapter-05.pdf Mackenzie, M. (2010). Manager communication and workplace trust: Understanding manager and employee perceptions in the e-world.  International Journal Of Information Management,  30(6), 529-541. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2010.04.001 Managing Human Resources in an International Business. (2017). The Internationalization Of Business. Retrieved from https://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/728/745520/chapter13.pdf Teagarden, M. (2017). International Business in a Wobbly World.  Thunderbird International Business Review,  59(5), 565-566. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tie.21914

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The Impact of Structural Adjustment Programs on Women in the Philippines - Essay Example Under the first SAP implemented for the Philippines in 1981, the objective was to reshape a largely protectionist regime under the Marcos dictatorship into an export-led economy through trade and financial liberalization and tight credit policy. However, subsequent events proved the SAP strategy wrong, as evidenced by the depreciation of the Philippine peso by 10 percent in 1983, double-digit inflation and unemployment, declining wages and the unimproved quality of exports due mainly to low production costs and cheap labor. During these years, political opposition to the martial law government of Marcos was escalating, which became a nationwide disturbance when top opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated in 1984 by suspected Marcos hit men. This led to massive capital flight that forced Marcos to call a snap election in 1985, in which the widow of Aquino emerged victorious. As the GDP began to grow by a moderate 5.6 percent under the second IMF-WB program undertaken for the Aquino government (Lim & Montes, 2001), the economy suffered one setback after another as Marcos loyalists held disruptive rallies and renegade soldiers separately staged a series of military coups from 1987 to 1989. This paper examines how SAP failed the Philippines, specifically how and why its required policy reforms marginalized women in the Philippines in terms of meeting their rights to education, health and livelihood. 2. How SAP Worked Against Philippine Women The SAP requirement for an export-led strategy of economic growth created shifts in the use of land and other resources, reorganized production processes, and changed production relations as well as existing social institutions (Sparr, 1994). This was generally how SAP worked to the disadvantage of Philippine women. On land use, for example, one of the main thrusts of SAP is to remove subsidies from agricultural production intended for local consumption and to re-channel the funds instead to the production of cash crops for the export market (Sparr, 1994). Rural women in the Philippines augment the meager income of their farmer-husbands by engaging in the backyard production of crops that can be sold in the local market. Moreover, women share farm work with their men especially in seeding and harvesting. When the incentives for growing crops with a ready market were taken away, the women lost an important source of income to the detriment of her family (Elson, 1995). The problem was that government promoted export production although world prices were extremely low (Lim & Montes, 2001). In the Philippines, land was transferred from the traditional crops of rice and corn to the production of sugar cane, bananas and pineapples with a concomitant increase in the size of holdings and greater mechanization but also a rise in the number of landless households (Elson, 1995). The main result was to further marginalize women in crop production as they are largely excluded from sugar cultivation. Rural women in the Philippines farm for home production and the local markets and rarely is it done for the export

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Triumph of the Will' absolve Leni Riefenstahl from responsibility for it's Nazi Propagandist impact - Essay Example Although many people argue that Riefenstahl, who is the director, stands out as a deliberate propagandist through this film, others argue that the form of propaganda exhibited is not as a result of her intention. This paper aims at reviewing this movie in light of the historical and philosophical context as far as the propaganda in it is concerned. How Propaganda Comes in To begin with, the proposition that this film absolves Riefenstahl from the propagandist role that this movie plays can be historically challenged. Even though Riefenstahl is in denial of having well understood the heinous nature of Adolf Hitler, history has its own reservations on the same. As such, her excuse can be dismissed as a simple and odd escapist’s excuse since someone with the creativity and originality akin to Riefenstahl’s is expected to see better, especially on an obvious issues such as the activities of the Nazis and create a film which opposes rather than supports such a movement. As i t would be expected in a natural societal setting, Riefenstahl defends herself that she is not a propagandist and blames it all on her naivety and lack of knowledge on the real identity of Adolf Hitler and Nazism when she was forging out this piece of entertainment. On the contrary, one may find it necessary to argue out that this is just a way of freeing herself from the imminent guilt that she compromised truth so much in order to making money and gain fame using this film rather. Praising someone who is not humane might not trace one to a direct injustice but is tantamount to praising Satan, which does not leave him or her innocent anyway. As such, much as the content and style of this book might be delineating Riefenstahl from any form of propaganda, the historical and philosophical reality of the Nazi movement are in contradiction to what she presents. The fact that one of the major characters in this movie is Hitler himself leaves no doubt that Riefenstahl deliberately underst ood what burden of blame there was to carry as she produced this movie. In fact, this movie is a falsified presentation of the facts and the truths as they were during Germany’s historical times in as much as Nazism is concerned. For instance, the way the Jews were inhumanely treated over the years that was a key and most defining feature of the Nazi ideologies, a element of truth that is never presented in an objective manner in as far as this movie is concerned. Given the understanding that Hitler himself approached Riefenstahl to deliberately to have her produce this movie (Riefenstahl, 1935) also leaves little or no doubt that Riefenstahl was fully aware of the propagandist intention in Hitler’s heart and just wanted to use this movie as a tool to accomplish the same. Nothing points out to her denial of this, as there is no any form of evidence of her negotiation with Hitler on how best the reaction or taken care of the world would be tackled given the attempts of the movie to brainwash the people around. The way power has been presented in this movie can be seen as not only falsified but also vague in equal measure. (Reeves, 2004). In this movie, Hitler is brought out as someone who is out to surprisingly bring about cohesion among his people through the endearing speeches he gives to the masses of Nazi followers, which is in contravention of what people really knew about him. History

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The Impact of Structural Adjustment Programs on Women in the Philippines - Essay Example Under the first SAP implemented for the Philippines in 1981, the objective was to reshape a largely protectionist regime under the Marcos dictatorship into an export-led economy through trade and financial liberalization and tight credit policy. However, subsequent events proved the SAP strategy wrong, as evidenced by the depreciation of the Philippine peso by 10 percent in 1983, double-digit inflation and unemployment, declining wages and the unimproved quality of exports due mainly to low production costs and cheap labor. During these years, political opposition to the martial law government of Marcos was escalating, which became a nationwide disturbance when top opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated in 1984 by suspected Marcos hit men. This led to massive capital flight that forced Marcos to call a snap election in 1985, in which the widow of Aquino emerged victorious. As the GDP began to grow by a moderate 5.6 percent under the second IMF-WB program undertaken for the Aquino government (Lim & Montes, 2001), the economy suffered one setback after another as Marcos loyalists held disruptive rallies and renegade soldiers separately staged a series of military coups from 1987 to 1989. This paper examines how SAP failed the Philippines, specifically how and why its required policy reforms marginalized women in the Philippines in terms of meeting their rights to education, health and livelihood. 2. How SAP Worked Against Philippine Women The SAP requirement for an export-led strategy of economic growth created shifts in the use of land and other resources, reorganized production processes, and changed production relations as well as existing social institutions (Sparr, 1994). This was generally how SAP worked to the disadvantage of Philippine women. On land use, for example, one of the main thrusts of SAP is to remove subsidies from agricultural production intended for local consumption and to re-channel the funds instead to the production of cash crops for the export market (Sparr, 1994). Rural women in the Philippines augment the meager income of their farmer-husbands by engaging in the backyard production of crops that can be sold in the local market. Moreover, women share farm work with their men especially in seeding and harvesting. When the incentives for growing crops with a ready market were taken away, the women lost an important source of income to the detriment of her family (Elson, 1995). The problem was that government promoted export production although world prices were extremely low (Lim & Montes, 2001). In the Philippines, land was transferred from the traditional crops of rice and corn to the production of sugar cane, bananas and pineapples with a concomitant increase in the size of holdings and greater mechanization but also a rise in the number of landless households (Elson, 1995). The main result was to further marginalize women in crop production as they are largely excluded from sugar cultivation. Rural women in the Philippines farm for home production and the local markets and rarely is it done for the export

Community Health Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Community Health Nursing - Essay Example Quality of life really depends upon not only what the family can do, but about what the community health nurse can impart to her patient. In the case of Mrs. Thomas, making her comfortable is going to be the nurse’s primary concern. It seems that Mrs. Thomas is on a regime that includes Vicodin, but she doesn’t seem approving of using medication for pain management. However, it is okay for the nurse to reassure Mrs. Thomas that this will help her make a smooth transition in the process in which she is going through. She is in a lot of pain, and managing the pain will definitely take a lot of pressure off of Mr. Thomas knowing that his wife feels better. Unfortunately, many times pain is undertreated by physicians in the U.S. Since Mrs. Thomas is a cancer patient, it only makes sense that she is going to feel badly with the metastasis of the cancer to her lung—and indeed, it probably is as painful as she has described to the nurse. However, not treating the pain i s going to leave Mrs. Thomas without other recourse, and in the process, Mr. Thomas may become severely affected, seeing his wife in pain and feeling powerless to do much about it. Therefore, the best decision seems to be to treat the pain. This is going to be the greatest help for Mrs. Thomas as she now goes through the dying process. B. Discuss three strategies that you could use in the Thomas’s situation to improve the quality of life for Mrs. Thomas and her husband during this illness. Community health nurses definitely can have a positive impact on being able to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients such as Mrs. Thomas. According to Larsen and Lubkin (2009), â€Å"By evaluating the extent to which nursing interventions improve quality of life for clients and families, nurses are in a position to [help their clients with this]† (pp. 156). Of course, many times people may argue about what does quality of life mean. According to Sinclair (2007), â €Å"Referring to quality of life†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢its definition is notoriously problematic.’ The tendency toward superficiality in measurement of quality of life in palliative care has been [criticized]† (pp. 62). Three strategies that could be used in order to improve Mrs. Thomas’s quality of life would include the following: have her listen to music; make sure she has good hygiene and grooming; and making sure Mrs. Thomas has some visitors so she can get some social interaction, perhaps with her family members who live out-of-state. Music can be a quite calming factor, especially when one is not feeling well. Something light and airy, or classical music, might be especially soothing. In addition, Mrs. Thomas should be very well-groomed and be helped to maintain good personal hygiene so that she doesn’t get any kind of infection. Third, perhaps visits from her family members from out-of-state might be a nice touch, if the nurse could get in contact with th em and see if they’d like to visit her. Or, alternatively, the nurse might like to arrange a visit or two from a minister of Mrs. Thomas’s faith or a volunteer who cares for hospice patients. Volunteers who work in hospice might best serve Mrs. Thomas if at least one person came to see her on a regular basis so she could maintain some social contact with others outside her husband. C. Create a holistic nursing action plan appropriate for managing Mrs. Thomas’s care at home by doing the following: ? 1. Discuss ways to optimize Mrs. Thomas’

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Assessor Award Essay A1 Assessor Award BY fiffi20 7317 Vocational Assessors Award Underpinning Knowledge Requirements QI. The way how I identify and use different types of evidences when carrying out assessments are by reading through all the chosen units assessment reports to have a clear understanding of the criteria/elements which the candidate must meet. The different types of evidences which can be used are, Task Statements, Work Product/ Work Evidences, Observations, Supplementary Evidences, Questionnaires, Professional Discussions and also Witness Statements. Q2. When comparing different types of evidences, I make sure the work product overs either, the Skills and Techniques or the Performance Indicators depends on the NVQ course, this get done on both the mandatory unit as well as the unit the candidate is working on. This is done by me checking the evidence against the Assessment Report and referencing the elements which have been met. Q3. When it comes to me collecting evidence I normally get my candidates to print their evidences in black and white instead of colour to save the cost of their ink cartridge. If possible I would also ask them to print double sided to save paper. I always ask my candidates if they have created any sort of evidence prior to our eeting, that way I could see if the evidence is suitable for the task and if its meets any of the elements on the assessment report if so this saves a lot of time on the candidate behalf if not, I do set my candidates deadlines for them to meet, so that way then can complete to hand over evidences. Q4. If a candidate has completed evidences prior to the assessment process I would ask them to demonstrate how they started and completed the task. I would also have a Professional Discussion with them to cover certain Performance Indicators as well as getting a Witness Statement completed by a person high then he candidate, someone who can confirm that the candidate was able tackle this task. Depends on the unit, I would sometimes also give Questionnaires to them to cover their Knowledge and Understanding. Q5. To develop and agree assessment plans with the candidates I consider all Performance Indicators and Skills and Techniques for each chosen unit, I then advise them on the assessment methods which will be used to collect the evidence and also a date/time of completion is set and agreed by both the candidate and myself. Q6. To assess the performance of my candidate I observe them while they are ackling the work evidence and I also question them this could either be verbal or written. Through this method I can pin point their performance against specific parts of the standard. evelop their competency would be to give them extra training on specific areas which they lack knowledge in and also set them task where I could observe them on that particular training to see whether or not they understood to concept and learnt from the training. I would also question them to confirm they understanding. By doing this I can make sure the candidate will be able to meet the criteria/element. Q8. Diff erent candidate have different needs, some need more training and guidance than others. So when changing assessment procedures all aspect must be considered. For example I have a candidate who is a Personal Assistant for a Head Teacher in a school which I assess in. I show her the Action Plans and Assessment Reports and explain the criteria/element which she must meet, she is able to produce evidence instantly due to IT knowledge and Job role, this candidate need very little training in her Business and Administration course as long as I explain what is required from her and her work products/work evidences. However I then have a candidate who is a receptionist at a medical centre, this candidate has dyslexia and needs a huge amount of training and guidance, especially with her Task Statements. A lot more time must be spent with this candidate and the deadline of evidence must be slightly longer then others. Q9. When collecting evidences must ensure there are no confidentially information which relates to neither the company nor their clients/customers. The evidences must be created by the candidates so that way they are valid and fair. If the candidate does not create the evidence then it is hard to identify whether or not it is air. All evidences must be valid. I must check dates and check the assessment reports. I must speak to the Manager and advise them which type of evidence the candidate will be submitting. QIO. When completing work evidences, the evidence must follow the assessment standard of the CADCentre unit standard booklet. QI 1. To measure existing levels of competence I always question my candidates, this could either be verbal or written. I also get the candidate to perform the task so Im able to observe and Judge their competency level. Q12. To make a valid and reliable assessment of my candidates knowledge I ormally hold a professional discussion with them and also given them questionnaires to complete. Q13. To make a valid and reliable assessment of my candidates performance I get my candidate to produce work evidence to support there claim, to complete a Task Statement and I then type out the Observation which will backup the task which they completed and also to reference the criteria/elements which they successfully matched. collect the work evidence and the Task Statement from the candidate and then I would go through the assessment report and tick off the criteria/elements which they uccessfully met. This is done once IVe collect all evidences towards the relevant unit. This will show that the candidate was capable to meeting the required criteria/ elements. QI 5. To check that the evidence was created by the candidate I always ask them to demonstrate who they created the evidence and also I would take down the file path. The file path is added to the candidates work evidence as well as in my Observations. Q16. To make sure that supporting evidences supplied by other people are reliable I ask the Manager to write out a Witness Statement, I would also speak to the witness egarding the candidates unit, explaining the criteria/elements which they need to cover and will be assed on. The witness must have knowledge and experience in the area which I will assess to allow them to write up the statement otherwise it will not be valid. QI 7. I always tell the candidates that they can use evidences which they previously created towards the chosen unit. For instance an ITQ candidate might have already created a Powerpoint presentation a few weeks ago and as she/he Chose this particular unit, instead of getting them to re-create another resentation we would use the same as long as it met all the relevant criteria/ elements. This saves the candidate a lot of time and effort and fast tracks he collection of the evidence. Q18. The way how I give constructive feedback to my candidates is by after the completion ofa task I would sit down with them and go over the task again. My feedback sheet will state the unit number, the task which the candidate has completed, date of completion, a brief paragraph giving a positive feedback on the task, state any issues which the candidate might have had during the task and also I ention the next stage which they will be moving on to. Q19. The way how I involve my candidates in the planning of assessment , I sit with them and explain all the criteria/elements which they will need to meet, the date of completion must also be agreed by both parties. I would also Judge whether or not the candidate will need extra training times on certain criteria/element to allow them to meet them. Q20. To keep to the data protection act I must store all candidates details safe and secure. Candidate detail must not be shown nor shared with any other candidates or any one outside the CADCentre. Q21. I have a lot of patients and give a lot of my time to my candidates who I feel lack to take part in different in their assessment. Im constantly training them to regain their confidences and knowledge. I also advise them that they can email or call me regarding any questions which they might have. I also give them the option of training them through specific area. IVe noticed that more practice the candidate has the better their understanding is. Q22. I make sure that I treat all my candidates the same, all with the same respect regardless to age, gender, race or beliefs. I train all my candidates equally, however I o sometimes give extra time/training to those who are in need. Q23. To meet the needs to each of my candidate, I assess them on the second initial visit after the signup. I question them verbally to have a clear view of the competency and needs. From that I can Judge which candidate will need extra training. Q24. I always give a feedback to all my candidates after the completion ofa task or even a unit. Again in this I will verbal talk to them as well as write out a feedback sheet. Feedbacks are very important to candidates, they can see their progressions and also identify their weaknesses. Q25. I have always built a good friendly relationship with all my candidates, make them feel at ease to ask questions and get in contact with me at any time regarding any issues which they might have with the course/evidence. Q26. To monitor and review the progress of my candidates I always complete an eight week review which states and identifies how the candidate is progressing, whether its a slow progression or an up to date progress. Deadlines are always set with my candidates and some do meet them and some do go over the deadline. Q27. Candidates are always upgrading their positions within companies. I must ake sure that my knowledge and understand of the course, assessment reports and standards are ofa high level to allow me to assess the candidates. Knowledge in softwares are also very important, as a candidate might chose to complete their NVQ in a specific software such as Access. Access is a database software which not many people know how to use and not many companies use, so to be able to assess and train in Access my knowledge and understand must be high. Q28. To update my existing skills and experience I would take full advantage of any training/course opportunities which may arise. This will enhance my skills, nowledge and also experience. Q29. I would take in consideration any Internal Verifier feedbacks, I would also constantly look at the City and Guilds web site and also sign up for the Newsletters. Q30. To improve my personal development I would again take full advantage of any qualifications and criterias. Q31. To meet my candidates needs in a safe, fair, valid and reliable manner I would take in to account there needs and work in line with the relevant legislations. As I mentioned before I have a candidate who suffers from Dyslexia, with her I need to print the text in a larger font and explain each point to her fully for her to have fully nderstanding of what is required from her. Q32. To recognise and challenge unfair discrimination in assessments I would refer back to the procedure, CADCentre Handbook. Q33. I would liaise with the Internal Verifier and then External Verifier to get advice on meeting candidates special assessment requirements. Q34. To identify and plan for issues of confidentiality and data protection during the assessment process I would either collect the Work Product or if the data is confidential then I would only request the file path. The file path is needed in case he Internal Verifier or External Verifier wanted to go to the company and have a look and the evidence. Q35. The way how I would record, store and pass on assessment decisions to other people within an agreed system would be by recording it on assessment plans and completing a summary of achievement. Q36. I would say to identify and assess things that could influence my own competence, could be an ITQ unit such as (214). By observing another person I could learn new skills on a particular software. Q37. I would liaise with my manager and request training in either a particular course, scheme, FL, CPD and also PTTLS.

Electrical Resistance of Different Liquids | Experiment

Electrical Resistance of Different Liquids | Experiment After the invention of electricity by Michael faraday many scientists studied the ways of conducting electricity. It was in the middle of 18th century scientists thought about using liquid as a medium of conducting electricity. In 1808 Sir Humphrey Davy conducted electricity using potassium solutions in ammonia. The experiments were to show the electrical conductivity of liquids, but the reason for this was not explained in his experiments. In 1879 F.Kahlrausch proposed that ions are responsible for the conductivity of liquids. Ions are the building blocks of each molecule defined by its electron number. Ions which formed by the decomposition of minerals and other impurities carry current across the liquid and this is directly proportional to the ionic velocities. These findings were scientifically proven by M.M.Wrobleewisky and Olszweski in 1883 by liquefaction of nitrogen and other minerals from a solution under a pressure of 50 atmospheres showing the presence of ions in solute. The experiments conducted by WG Scaife in 1973 on the natural conductivity of liquids showed that at higher pressures of 2500 bars and above the electrical conductivity of polar solutions decreases rapidly. Even though there is a decrease at low pressures which are not practically measurable. Polar compounds like castor oil, sebacate etc. were used for these experiments and were discovered that the double layer formed at the tip of electrodes was the reason behind the reducing nature of electrical conductivity. While experiments on ionic solutions like Diethyl ether, carbon disulphide, benzene etc showed an increasing trend of electrical conductivity with pressure. This was due to the triple ions formed during the experiment. [1] In the experiments conducted by Alexander, Stoppa, Johannes Hunger, and Richard Buchner in 2009, it was found that the electrical conductivity of ionic solutions is higher than a mixture of ionic and polar mixture solutions. The experiment used potassium chloride (ionic) and non soluble oil base (polar) and the experiments were conducted under constant temperature and pressure conditions. The experiment showed a decrease in resistivity of nearly 1 ohm with an addition 5 wt % ionic compound. This experiment proved that the electrical conductivity depends on the charge density (number of ions) and the resistance to the movement of ions known as viscosity of a liquid [Stokes-Einstein, 1906]. The experiment compared the conductivities by increasing the percentage of ionic molecules in the solution. [2] Experiments were conducted by Aresatz Usobiaga, Alberto De Diego, and Juan Manuel Madariaga 1n 1999 to relate temperature with the electrical conductivity in solutions. HCL Solution (ionic solution) was used for the experiments. Under different temperatures close to the room temperature (292-315K) the solution exhibited an inverse proportionality relation to the conductivity. This correlated to the findings of A I Zhakin in 1995 were KCL which is less ionic compared to HCL was used. The experiment with HCL pointed out that at near to room temperatures resistivity was increased by 5-10% with every increase of 5K. The reason for this behaviour was the increase of viscous properties of the solution and viscosity decreases electrical conductivity. [3] In 2006 J. Vilaa, P. Ginà ©sa, E. Riloa, O. Cabezaa and L.M. Varelab conducted experiments on the electrical conductivities of solutions of aluminium chloride, aluminium bromide, aluminium sulphate and aluminium chromide. These compounds are ionic in nature. The experiments were carried out under constant temperature and pressure conditions. Experiments conducted by increasing the density of solutions showed an increasing trend of electrical conductivity by 10 % on each increase of density. Density was increased by adding 5 wt % aluminium salt into the solution. These increasing trends went until the solution is 50% saturated. The reason for the rise in conductivity was explained to be the increase in ion concentration. The more the ionic compounds present the more the conductivity would be. The results also showed that aluminium chloride which is more ionic than other samples will conduct more electricity at any concentration. But for polar compounds the increase in density resulte d in a decrease of conductivity. [4] J. Vilaa, P. Ginà ©sa, J.M. Picoa, C. Franjoa, E. Jimà ©neza, L.M. Varelab and O. Cabeza in 2005 conducted experiments on aluminium chloride and aluminium bromide for the binary relation on electrical conductivity with varying temperature and density. The experiment used 30% and 60 % concentrated solutions over a temperature range of 250-430K. The electrical conductivity increases with temperature, up to 400 times for aluminium chloride and 52 times in aluminium bromide solutions. But the conductivity decreases inconsistently with the increase in concentration. The probable reason for this controversial result could be the change in the properties of compounds with temperature. This showed that temperature had a greater influence on conductivity than density. [5] METHODS AND MATERIALS Overview of the experiment In order to contrast the electrical resistance of different liquids to expose their ionic or covalent characteristics, the following measures were carried out. Description of the procedural steps Firstly the electrical resistance measurement was set up. Then hundred and fifty milliliters of desired liquid was measured and poured in to a clean beaker. After the power supply was switched on, using the multimeter, circuits current was measured. Then at five minutes interval reading was traced again for three times. After this the average of three recordings was determined. Once the current was computed resistance of liquid was found out using Ohms law. Next the steps were repeated for all selected liquids. Subsequently all the selected liquids were cooled to 18 °C. Finally the above steps were followed for the refrigerated liquids. Materials Overview of mechanism The materials used for the experiment are listed below. Digital Multimeter DC Power supply, 250 ml glass beaker Sample solution of 150 ml Orange juice, 0.01% salt solution, 1% salt solution, 2% milk, and mineral water. Table salt Description of principal parts Digital multimeter Multimeter is an electronic tool which can be used for the measurement of voltage, current and resistance. There are two types of multimeters available. Multimeter which comes with digital display is commonly known as DMM (Digital Multimeter).Main parts of a digital multimeter are measuring probes, adjusting knob and digital display. Firstly the probes are used to get connection between points where we need to measure electrical property. One multimeter got two probes for achieving the connection between two selected points. Secondly the adjusting knob is used to select which property need to measure. It is also used to select the range of values of the results. The digital display helps the user to get accurate readings. It also provides information about different settings used for measurement. The multimeter can be switched on by turning the adjusting knob to desired property to measure. The display will provide us the relevant information. To test the DMM, turn the knob to resistance measuring mode and then touch each end of a copper wire to probe tips. Then the display will show resistance which should be almost zero. Results and Discussion The resistances of different liquid solutions prepared for the research were calculated using the Ohms law equation at room temperature. Observations show the average resistance of different liquid ranged from 26.1 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ to 1728 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. Among the liquids, orange juice was best conductor (26.1 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦) and distilled water (1728 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦) was the worst. The two salt solutions showed almost the same resistances even though higher concentrated gave us a slightly lower resistance. Orange juice The figure 8 chart shows that orange juice is the best conductor of electricity. The resistance for orange juice was found out to be the least during the experiment. We had an assumption that acids are the best conductors because they are ionic in nature. Acids separate into ions when mixed with water and ions are charge carriers. The electrical resistance computed was 26.1 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ at room temperature. We had also made another assumption that when refrigerated; the conductivity will increase as the ions move slower related to normal room temperature liquid. After refrigeration, the resistance increased slightly to a value of 26.4 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. Even though there was only a small decrease in the resistance value from that of the room temperature, our assumption regarding the refrigerated liquids came true. As studies and experiment done by Aresatz Usobiaga, Alberto De Diego, and Juan Manuel Madariaga in 1999 to relate temperature with the electrical conductivity in solutions [3] supports our results in this section. Salt solution The second best conductor is the salt solution. For the salt solution, the experiments were carried out with a concentration of 0.01% and 0.1% salt. The salt crystals in solid state wont conduct electricity because anions (chloride ions) and cations (sodium ions) are held together. But in a salt solution they are free to move around and thus conduct electricity. The main reason behind conducting this research experiment on different concentration of salt is to study whether it is the density or temperature of the solution that affects the electrical conductivity more. We hypothesized that the density of solution would decrease the electrical conductivity. The 0.01% and 0.1% concentrated salt solution exhibited almost the same resistance value of 35.6 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. But the higher concentrated solution gave slightly less resistance value of 35.3 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ as compared to the other solution. The resistance value of refrigerated salt solution of 0.01% and 0.1% are 115.2 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ and 114.1 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ respectively. As per the assumptions the higher concentrated solution gave slightly less resistance and the refrigerated solution showed great resistance as compared to the room temperature values. This showed that temperature had a greater influence on conductivity than density. [5] Milk The third liquid tested was 2% milk solution. Milk also conducts electricity but only in a small amount as compared to orange juice and the salt solutions. Electrical resistance of the milk solution was worked out to be 210.3 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ during the experiment at room temperature. Viscosity and density are the other factors that contribute to the poor conductivity of electricity as compared to the above mentioned liquids. The refrigerated resistance value of the milk solution calculated is 211.1 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. While cooling, the viscosity increases due to the higher voluminosity of fatty acids, proteins, etc. [Website reference: http://www.dairy-science.org/cgi/reprint/80/4/628.pdf]. Thus we came to the conclusion that milk conducts electricity due to their typical covalent bond structure and the presence of fatty acids. Distilled Water Figure 8 shows that distilled water is a worst conductor of electricity. During the research experiment, distilled water showed a resistance value of 1728 kilo à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. The reason why liquid conducts electricity is due to the free movement of cations and anions in between the electrodes. For example, in our salt solution test electricity was conducted as the salt readily ionizes to sodium cations and chloride anions which can move freely around in the solution thereby transporting electric charges. In the distillation process water is boiled to steam and the steam is again condensed to water. Nearly all the salts present in the water is thus left out during the distillation process. Thus distilled water is pure H2O. Although pure H2O (distilled water) can dissociate into H+ and OH- ions like salt, it ionizes very rarely therefore exhibiting the property of an insulator. [Citation may or may not be given for the above statements made] Thus from the research experiment carried out we concluded that among the liquid solutions chosen, orange juice is the best electrical conductor and distilled water is the worst. From this we understood that orange juice has more ions present than distilled water (pure H2O). Therefore our assumption regarding acidic solution has high electrical conductivity is correct. Adding to the above results, the density and temperature also affects the electrical conductivity. The more salt added to the solution i.e. more ions added, the lesser the electrical resistance. The assumption regarding temperature as a factor affecting electrical conductivity was correct in some measure as some liquid solutions show higher resistance whereas some show almost the same resistance value with the room temperature values. Discount Retailers: Porters Five Analysis Discount Retailers: Porters Five Analysis In a context of post World War II, there was an economic boom in the USA, driven by the baby boom. The families needs increased, and discount retailing stores started to appear. Their main aim was to operate within low prices, to be able to offer everyday products at a very affordable price. In order to analyse the attractiveness of the discount retailing industry in the USA in the 1950s, we can use Porters Five Forces. Porter (1980:3) stated that competition in an industry depends on five basic competitive forces. As seen below in figure 1. Force 1: The Degree of Rivalry According to Ghemawat (2008), the degree of rivalry is the most obvious of the five forces in an industry [â‚ ¬Ã‚ ¦]. It influences the extents to which the value created by an industry will be dissipated through direct competition. With the economic boom, many discount retailers have emerged, especially in big cities (with a minimum population of 100  000). For the already existing supermarkets industry, their customers were used to having a lot of competitors to choose from. That is why the newly emerging discount stores attracted a lot of new entrants. That industry was characterized by an intense competition. The growth of the industry was significant and this factor of high profitability attracted many entrepreneurs willing to open new stores. As a result, in the US cities in the 50s and 60s, the concentration for the discount retail industry was low and the rivalry was intense (factor of industry unattractiveness). The theory says that the rivalry between competitors decreases when the buyers switching costs are high. But in the case of the discount retail industry, the switching costs are almost nonexistent: urban customers have a lot of competitors to choose from and the recent use of the car and the quite low price of the petrol in the 50s allow them to easily change and shop in another store. Also, unlike the supermarkets, discounters sold more or less the same kind of products. The available retailers focused on non-food products, and a competition for price began among the stores, offering a wide variety of household products such as toiletries, appliances, groceries and household goods. Thus, there is a significant rivalry here, characterized by high fixed cost and a lack of product differentiation. However in the 50s, in small towns and rural areas, the competition was not as fierce, as not many discount retailers were willing to open a shop in the countryside. This made that business landscape less competitive. Sam Walton saw an opportunity there, and decided to locate his first Wal-Mart stores there: Our strategy was to put good-sized stores into little one-horse towns that everyone else was ignoring. Force 2: The Threat of Entry Average industry profitability is influenced by both potential and existing competition (Ghemawat, 2008). The Five Forces framework gives 3 basic types of entry barriers: economies of scale, brand identity and capital requirement: Economies of scale: large economies of scale allow providing cheap products to their customers. It is an essential part for a discount retailer, and without it, could represent a real barrier to entrance. Brand identity: the products were standard in nature, and there were little or no differences between discount stores. That means that in the 50s, it was not really a barrier for new entrants. Capital requirements: the threat of entrants is also possible because of the high capital required. Entrepreneurs need high capital (building, equipment) and financial resources to start up a new discount store and this represents a barrier to entry the industry. Moreover, the barrier is much higher when the plan is to set up a stores chain. There are also some other barriers to take into account: Access to distribution: the discount retailer has to find new reliable suppliers, to have a competitive distribution channel. Advertising: it can also be seen as an entry barrier. In order to be known and to attract customers, new entrants need to spend a lot more money on advertisements. In the 50s, the US discount industry was characterized by high price and advertising competitiveness, with little buyer loyalty. To summarize, there were many obstacles for new entrants in the discount retail industry. Force 3: The Threat of Substitutes The threat that substitutes pose to an industrys profitability depends on the relative price-to-performance ratios of the different types of products or services to which customers can turn to satisfy the same basic need (Ghemawat, 2008). Due to the lack of product differentiation and the absence of switching costs, the goods sold in the discount stores can be found in other types of stores. There is a high buyer propensity to substitute. The discount retailer just like any other has to develop strategies to sell at a low costs but this is not the solution. It constantly has to ensure that its products are exactly what the consumer needs. This means that high quality products at an affordable price should also be part of Walt Mat strategy of being competitive, as well as product differentiation. Supermarkets represented a big threat of substitution for the discount stores selling groceries because they were cheaper than the conventional stores chains and they dominated the retail industry in the 50s (Markin, 1968). Force 4: Buyer Power The buyer information availability was almost non-existent. Indeed, nothing in the way of information technology was accessible at that time, either for EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) use or for more sophisticated applications. The bargaining power of buyers is weak when reduced to a single individual, but the demand as a whole is extremely powerful. However, the fact that there were many discount retail industries made each of them weaker against the buyers bargaining power. That power was high in the USA in the 50s: customers could easily walk away and go to another shop (low switching costs). In the post World War II years, US consumers became educated in the merits of self-service, low price shopping via the spread of supermarkets. The customers price sensitivity was then high, because of the high product standardization, they could find their products in every discount retail. The buyer loyalty was low. Force 5: Supplier Power In the US discount retail industry in the 50s, the suppliers power was much stronger than today, because of the RPM (Resale Price Maintenance). The RPM was legal at this time and gave the right for the suppliers to set the final price of their products (price sometimes printed on the product). It was virtually impossible for retailers to pass on the benefits of more efficient operations to customers via lower prices. Thus, in the 50s the strong suppliers power was a criterion of unattractive industry. After the analyze of the US discount retailing industry in the 50 through Porters Five Forces, it can be inferred that this industry was not attractive, due to the high new entrants barriers, the level of competition in the cities, the threat of substitutes, and the high buyer and supplier powers. However, it is possible to slightly alter this statement: although the competition was tough in big cities, it was easier to set up a shop in the rural areas, where the degree of rivalry was lower. As a consequence, the different threats and barriers that looked like an insurmountable challenge in the cities were no longer impossible to overcome in the countryside. QUESTION 2 Every business has to adopt a business strategy, seen by many authors as the Paradox of Markets and Resources. The strategic management process means defining the organizations strategy. Managers have to make choices and set up strategies for the company that will enable it to achieve better performance. It is also sometimes referred to as a Business Model. Porters theory The Outside-In Perspectives key features are the positioning activities and the Value Chain, which will define a strategy through different business choices. This model is supported by the key protagonist Michael Porter (1996). Porters Generic Strategies  Model According to the chart above, we can identify Wal-Marts positioning strategy. Wal-Marts main strategy is characterized by its low cost policy, accessible to anyone. It can then be put in the cost leadership strategy strategy. However, with particular attentions for its customers (more than its direct competitors), Wal-Mart also plays a differentiation strategy, and delivers an excellent customer service. With the analysis of Wal-Marts value chain given above, a description of its key value drivers can be done. Every companys activities mapped in the value chain can be a possible source of competitive advantage but its the way they are cheaply performed and combined that will create competitive advantage and value for customer. In 1985, Porter suggested the value chain, which regroups functions into support and primary activities. The value chain is divided into 5 primary activities and 4 support activities. These activities can be linked and connected to the value chain to determine some factors of a competitive position and show how these activities add value to the consumer. Wal-Mart: the Value Chain According to the Wal-Mart value chain, two main support activities show that Wal-Mart uses a differentiation strategy through its human resource management and its technology development. The use of the technology is coupled with the inbounds logistics activity and the operations. Indeed, Wal-art was a pioneer in applying information and communications technology to support decision making and promote efficiency and customer responsiveness. (Zarbo, 1998) In the early 1980s, Wal-Mart invested over half a billion dollars to boost its computer and satellite network systems. They added barcode systems, scanners and other near-real-time technology to link cash registers in every store into one unified link. From the instant a sales transaction takes place, data simultaneously flows back and forth from stores world-wide to Wal-Marts distribution centres, its headquarters in Bentonville, and to Wal-Marts suppliers in a continuous, informative loop. In addition to offering Wal-Mart an environment that monitors and shares its current inventory trends with external vendors, this technology, through a sophisticated network which bridges individual stores, identifies the most efficient way to manage the distribution of its products internally. Moreover, a good example of Sam Waltons early understanding of the importance of technology is its current development and use of an automated distribution system known as the Retail Link. This system shares sales information with Wal-Mart suppliers to ensure that customers always find the shelves well stocked at their local Wal-Mart store. Retail Link allows Wal-Mart suppliers to dial-up and retrieve the history of important sales data from the last 56-weeks worth of sales. Over 4,000 of Wal-Marts suppliers access this service averaging approximately 10,000 queries a day (Zarbo, 1998). The large database of purchasing information enables Wal-Mart to set the right item at the correct price and in the right store. Concerning the human resources management at Wal-Mart, it is considered as very efficient. Sam Walton calls his employees his associates. They are an important part of the Wal-Mart family. The relationships between Wal-Mart and his associates are based on respect, high expectations, autonomy, close communication and clear profit incentives. Through its superior management and communication, Wal-Mart created an advantage. The Marketing and Sales activity is also a crucial point for the company. Wal-Mart has been founded on Sam Waltons belief that: There is only one boss: the customer. Indeed, the basic principle of Wal-Mart was to cut prices, and was thus well below its competitors, enhanced by its slogan Everyday Low Prices. This confirms the companys low cost strategy. In summary, the key value drivers of Wal-Mart match each other to lower the costs. Every activity is involved in cost reduction and that is why we can say that Wal-Marts value chain is very coherent with its cost leader positioning strategy and customer focused value for money approach. Barneys theory Firms obtain sustained competitive advantage by implementing strategies that exploit their internal strengths, through responding to environmental opportunities, while neutralizing external threats and avoiding internal weaknesses. Barney, 1991 The Resource-Based View (RBV) focus on strategic resources as the determinants of a competitive advantage. Those strategic resources are valuable because they allow to achieve superior performance (e.g. accumulated knowledge, or resources impossible to replicate). Grant, the key protagonist of the RBV theory focuses on resources, organisational features and capabilities. In the model, resources must be rare, valuable, inimitable and unsubstituable. Although, intangible resources can create the most competitive advantage, as they are harder to copy by competitors. The chart above reviews Wal-Marts tangible and intangible resources. The firm possess many intangible resources, which made its model hard to copy for competitors. So according to the RBV, Wal-Mart has some real competitive advantages here. QUESTION 3 Tetra-threat framework The Tetra Threat Model was first proposed by Ghemawat (2008). This model helps to determine the level of each threat category, in order to try to reduce their impact. This model can be used to identify what are the threats against Wal-Mart competitive advantage, and how it can sustain itself among the other discount retailers. Threat of Imitation Wal-Mart set up large barriers to overcome it: Scale economies: efficient hub-and-spoke distribution system; high volume purchases, strong dealing power with suppliers; national and regional economies of scale. Learning/private information: a significant effort has been made in understanding the operation of the discount retail industry. Wal-Mart has the right know-how to improve its logistics, reduce storage space, and incentive its people to work efficiently. Switching cost/relationship: due to its pricing policy and experience, Wal-Mart is able to offer inexpensive products to its customer (low switching costs). They also possess strong relationships and sustainable contracts with their suppliers (bargain power due to Wal-Marts size and partnership through data sharing and communication networks). Threat of retaliation: Wal-Mart has a strong reputation of fierceness. The local managers ability to adapt their prices to the local competition is a strong advantage to always have the lowest prices on the market. Time lags, upgrading and strategic complexity: the Wal-Mart business has been built upon the years, and accumulated years of knowledge and experience. Thus, they now own a very complex logistics and technologic system, and upgrade it constantly. To summarize, the imitation threat is not a real danger to Wal-Mart. It has raised many insurmountable barriers for its competitors to overcome. They do not have the sufficient knowledge to do it, or it will take them so much time, that by the time they catch up with their goal, Wal-Mart will already be way ahead of them in terms of innovation and technology. Wal-Mart has here a real sustainable advantage. Threat of substitution Substitution reduces the demand for what a firm uniquely provides by shifting the demand elsewhere. It is the most difficult threat to predict. However, Wal-Mart has developed many strategies to overcome that threat. The chain best answer to the substitution threat has been to own numerous substitutes on the discount retailing industry, such as warehouse clubs, supercenters and neighbourhood markets. Its mobility across format is a successful alternative against substitution threat. However, Wal-Mart has demonstrated being very good at scanning the landscape broadly and understanding underlying customer needs. It has continually been studying the competition in order to be responsive in fighting the upcoming threat. Finally, thanks to its low cost competitive advantage, Wal-Marts cheap prices restrain many competitors to enter a fight with the discount retailer giant. Threat of Holdup Holdup refers to customers, suppliers, complementary organizations, or other industry participants capturing value created by the focal company through the exercise of bargaining power. Concerning this threat related to Wal-Mart, two aspects can be distinguished: suppliers and employees. First, Wal-Mart has a total control over its suppliers, even the largest ones (e.g. Procter Gamble), in order to restrain their hold it up value. However, the holdup can be found the other way around: Wal-Mart ask its suppliers to closely integrate into their system and requirements. The requirements that Wal-Mart imposes on its suppliers extends well beyond low prices. Increasingly, the chain has involved itself in its suppliers employment policy (workplace safety, working hoursâ‚ ¬Ã‚ ¦), making Wal-Mart possibly pose a threat of holdup to them. Nonetheless, labor holdup can be considered as a real issue. With a weak percentage of union penetration, employees abuse (low wages, unpaid overtime, discrimination) are widespread. As a result, it depicts a negative image of the company, as well as employee demotivation and turnover. Wal-Mart should take into consideration this aspect to avoid a labor holdup. Threat of Slack Slack tend to dissipate value within the firm, and is not easy to identify. It regroups all form of inefficiency. However, this is not a big threat to Wal-Mart. In fact, there is a high organizational effectiveness within the human resource management. The relationships with the associates is based on respect, high expectations, close communication and clear incentives. Everything is done to motivate the staff and increase their loyalty to the firm. Finally, according to Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart (2007), protection against slack comes from the right mix of incentives and monitoring. As it is drawn in this analyse, Wal-Mart has develop strong responses to threats from imitation, substitution, holdup and slack, setting mechanism which allowed Wal-Mart to sustain its competitive advantage. QUESTION 4 The Dunnings Eclectic Paradigm (1981) of Foreign Direct Investment (also known as the OLI-Model) sets up 3 conditions that a company has to meet in order to engage in foreign operations: Ownership advantages, Location/Country-specific advantages and Internalization advantages. This theory will be used to contrast Wal-Marts entry into the German market in 1997 and into the UK market in 1999, in the following table. Wal-Marts entry into German market UK market Acquisitions (1997 and 1998): 21 stores Wertkauf ($1.04 billion) 74 hypermarkets Interspar (‚ ¬560 million) Both were renamed Wal-Mart stores. Acquisitions (1999): 219 outlets Asda ( £6.7 billion) Kept its name. Ownership Advantages Wal-Mart owns several intangible assets, which will allow it to overcome the costs of expanding abroad. These intangible core competencies are: Dominant clothing/textile and food retailer on the US market Every week, around 100 million shoppers frequent its stores Its 2003 turnover is 3 times bigger than Carrefours, the worlds no. 2 retailer (Knorr and Arndt, 2003) Internationalization experience: more than 1100 outfits abroad, which leads to considerable experience and management learning from a portfolio of stores in diverse markets Wal-Marts Retail Link-system (backbone of its sophisticated inventory management and logistics infrastructure) Operating the worlds biggest private satellite communications system (to track sales, to replenish inventories, to process payments in real-time) Wal-Marts retail proposition of everyday low prices, good customer service, wide assortment and community values High customer service levels, strong organizational culture, efficient logistics operations Location Advantages Location advantages are the factors in a foreign country that lead the company to make profits on its FSAs. Germany accounts for around 15% of Europes $2 trillion-a-year retail market German GNP: ‚ ¬2 trillion 80 million customers: biggest national retail market in Europe Germany is meant to be its bridgehead into Europe After its acquisition, Wal-Mart became the countrys fourth biggest operator of hypermarkets (Knorr and Arndt, 200) Politically stable country Economically powerful with big family incomes Very similar culture and social laws between UK and the US Internalization Advantages A firm possessing an advantage can either use the advantage itself (internalize it) or lease the advantage to other firms. The FDI decision depends on which option presents the best net return. Internalization also allows avoiding transactional costs. Internalization is the option chosen by Wal-Mart in many countries: Closer control by the Wal-Mart management (full control strategy) Economies of scale Sharing of the organizations knowledge and management capabilities to the new business According to the OLI-Model, implementing Wal-Mart stores in those two countries could really help the US firm to set a foot in Europe. Wal-Marts goal is to be the number one in every market in which it operates. Its international retail model equates to the aggressively industrial model. However, despite a bright success in the UK, the German venture has been unprofitable, and led it to exit the country in July 2006. What are the reasons for Wal-Marts failure and success? The reasons for Wal-Marts: Failure in Germany Success in the UK Acquisition of the wrong German companies Acquisition of the adequate UK company First, the German acquisitions have been very costly for Wal-Mart. The German market in renowned for its minimal profit margins and price-led strong domestic competition. Wal-Mart entered Germany at a time when the grocery market was saturated. At the time, Aldi was its major competitor, already holding a strong share of the discount retail segment. Wal-Mart now possessed 2 small disparate retail chains with different organizational structures and a heterogeneous portfolio of stores (the Wertkauf was a highly centralized family store) (Fernie et al., 2006). As a consequence, Wal-Mart did not have enough impact on the German market. For example, nearly 80% of the population did not have access to a Wal-Mart store (bad geographic penetration). Moreover, the patchy geographical coverage of Wal-Marts meant that its nationwide competitors have been able to adopt a zone pricing policy to compete on price in specific local markets. The weakness of the German economy in those years, coupled with the increased prominence of discounters, has reinforced this trend and discounters now account for 30% of the German grocery market and have been growing at 5% per year in a static market. Wal-Marts market share of 1.5% is dwarfed by its major competition (Fernie et al., 2006). There is a strong price competition where price leadership is already occupied by discounters. Asda was already a major discount retailer player before the entry of Wal-Mart. In fact, it was the third major grocer in UK in 1999. Wal-Mart acquired a well-established retail chain and Asdas management had already applied Wal-Mart practices to its corporate culture (Fernie et al., 2006). Asdas marketing, operations and organisational culture mirrored that of the US giant (Burt and Sparks, 2000) and was regarded as good strategic fit. Wal-Mart strategy for UK was to build on these similarities. There has been a high degree of stability throughout the chain during the merger, especially at store level, which facilitated the transition. Wal-Marts takeover also increased Asdas supply chain efficiency and improved its stock availability. Government regulations The German market had a strict legal and institutional framework, often ignored by Wal-Mart. German labor regulations are very different from these in the U.S. : obstacle to embrace the Wal-Mart culture. For example: The zoning regulations impose severe restrictions on the construction of large-scale store Restrictive shopping hours regulations: legal maximum of 80 hours/week store opening hours. Sunday and holidays openings are not permitted Fair trading and antitrust laws contain some important restrictions for retailers pricing policies: it forbids merchants to sell goods below cost on a permanent basis (Knorr and Arndt, 2003) In the UK, the Government was concerned about high food prices and that British consumers were being ripped off by retailers. That is why they were in favour of the creation of a more price competitive environment (Fernie et al., 2006). Moreover, the legal and institutional UK surroundings were not as complex and heavy as in Germany. For example, the legal maximum of a store opening hours was 168 hours/week, and was also allowed to open on Sunday and holidays (Knorr and Arndt, 2003). In the UK, Wal-Mart was able to recreate its 24/7 opening format. Inability to understand the German consumer and business culture The closeness of the UK and the US culture Wal-Mart culturally failed in delivering its Everyday low prices or excellent customer service. Indeed, the expectations are very different from a country to another. The German acquisitions were very different in their organizational structure from the Wal-Mart US model. That is why, when Wal-Mart try to impose its new culture (Anglo-Saxon management level), it led to resistance. Operational errors has been made when remodelling stores to look like US stores, which was not customer wanted (Fernie et al., 2006). Thus, Wal-Marts strategy was contradictory and disoriented to German customers. They didnt see Wal-Mart as a low-price store, due to confusing advertisements. Moreover, German notion of customer service is different from that in the U.S. (e.g. German consumers prefer to pack their own bags and pay by cash), because they hold price and value in much higher esteem than service and quality (Knorr and Arndt, 2003). The British culture was very similar to the American one, and that is why the takeover ran more smoothly in the UK. Also, Asda was already working on a Wal-Marts model, so the consumers did not feel any major difference after the Wal-Mart acquisition. For the British customers, price was a key attribute along with convenience; price is the most important factor in the retail offer. And finally, the UK workforce responded positively to the Wal-Mart way, and the integration was very successful, with good employee relationships (Fernie et al., 2006). Conclusion: When Wal-Mart entered the UK, the economic situation was favourable for a low pricing strategy. Wal-Marts entry created a high competitive environment on prices, and the customers responded well to this new form of discount retail. However, Wal-Mart has failed on every point in Germany. It resulted mostly from a cross cultural inconsideration. Wal-Mart has not been able to adapt its business model to a different culture and ignored the basic key principles of internationalization strategies and intercultural management. The firm should have tried to understand the German surroundings, the market rules and the consumer habits. Thus, they could have shape their business model, the human resources practices and a proper marketing message to fit that local market. Wal-Marts failure in Germany highlighted its inability to select and implement an adequate entry and business strategy. That is why its inability to understand the German retail market and business culture and the consumer needs led it to a bitter failure.