Gambling casino Essay

Companies in the gambling industry include those that offer gambling or gaming activities. These may be casinos, casino resorts and hotels, betting and lottery companies. Though legally restricted by many governments all over the world, gambling industries are a major source of revenue to the government. The gambling industry has also helped in eradicating unemployment as it has created new job opportunities and often with higher wages. Major gambling companies in this industry globally are MGM Resorts, William Hill, Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands among others. The gambling industry is one of the most competitive and risky industries all over the globe. The demand for gambling is influenced by consumer income growth and state spending (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Effective operations and marketing strategies of individual companies in this industry determines the profit rates and levels of the companies. Large gambling operators in this industry can be able to make large investments in gambling facilities and efficient computer operations, and are also exposed to cross-marketing opportunities (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Small gambling operators, on the other hand, are not well exposed like the large gambling operators. They operate in their local areas and centers where the locals may not afford travel to major gambling facilities. SWOT Analysis Strengths The gambling industry has distribution and sales network that enable them to reach everybody. These networks allow the firms to distribute their products and services effectively. The management in the gambling industry is growing as the employees are receiving training. Lower costs in products lead to higher profits to the gambling industry. Technology acts in favor of the gambling industry as they enable them meet the needs of their customers (Jueves, 2013). THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 3 Unique products of the gambling industries enable them to differentiate themselves for their competitors. High tax and fee to start gambling companies enables the strong to survive in this industry and kills unnecessary competition. Bigger companies tend to have more resources than their minorities making them to pursue new markets and secure themselves against rivals. Weakness The industry is marked by inefficiencies in work as the goods and services are not being utilized properly. Online presence by these companies is important displaying their information and products to customers. Most of the gambling companies are not present online and those that are present do not have proper websites. Supply chains that are weak tend to delay arrival of consumer’s products in gambling spots. Opportunities The gambling companies can take a step and manipulate the online market where most of the customer base is found nowadays. This enables the companies to expand. New products and services can enable the companies to increase their customer base. Gambling companies can tap the untouched markets available in other countries that do not have or have fewer gambling facilities. Threats A strike by workers and the government’s requirements of the industry’s participants to increase the income of their employees tends to act as a threat to the industry. Increased income leads to reduced profits by the firms. Government regulations against the industry is also a big threat to the companies. Rising companies within the industry act as threat as they pose stiff competition. A shift of customers’ taste from one company to another lead to losses. THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 4 STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES ?Distribution and sales network that exist. ?Potential strong management. ?Monetary assistance is guaranteed. ?Cost advantages. ?Technology. ?Unique products. ?Barriers to entry of market. ?Domestic market. ?Size advantages. ?Work inefficiencies. ?Online presence ?Supply chains that are weak ?Lack of scale as cost per unit of output is quite high. ?Structure of cost that are high compared to competitors. OPPORTUNITIES THREATS ?Online market. ?New products ?New services ?Increasing income levels ?International expansion. ?Venture capital ?Increment in labor costs ? Currency tends to make gambling investment complicated. ?Regulations from the government ?Fast rising competition and lower profitability. ?Tax charges. ?Business risks from external environment. Every customer and guest that goes to gambling spots or facilities always looks to have an exceptional experience. An experience that keeps them coming to this facilities even if they will always leave with little money than they came in with. This therefore calls for good customer service and innovativeness in the way the customers are treated. Change in the gambling industry is difficult. Customers do not want to play new games or gamble on new things that they have no knowledge of. This aspect is the same to everybody as no person is open to change unless it is a major or there is some good reason to change (Baird, 2002). Due to this, when managers in gambling facilities try to develop a new customer service culture among employees, it fails or does not happen quickly. Change in gambling facilities takes THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 5 a high repetition level and people need to be interested in it. Therefore for customers to adapt to new changes and like them, the gambling facilities owners should make the change to be very interesting to both the employees and consumers. Trained employees in gambling facilities are an important asset. Most gambling facilities choose the best candidates to fill in their empty job positions but fail to train them on how to handle customers and heighten their experience in the gambling facilities. Gambling facilities should invest in training programs for their employees so that customers get to experience good customer service. Hiring and firing of employees’ wastes a lot of time and funds, and many gambling facilities do this (Baird, 2002). The training programs should be involving and fun for the employees being trained for them to grasp every aspect of the program. Good training program translates to good customer service and great customer satisfaction which is good for business. Improving retention strategies for consumers in gambling is one area that needs improvement. If these strategies are improved, the gamblers’ lifetime value and loyalty is increased and guaranteed. Improving the efficiency of customer service is one such strategy. The gamblers can also be motivated by boosting their confidence. Customer experience can also be advanced by introducing mobile applications and social media platforms that allow the gamblers and the gambling joint owners to interact. This boosts the confidence of the customers and encourages them to visit the gambling joints whether physically or through online services. The gambling industry has its own strategic evaluation marked with its own goals and objectives. The industry has recommendations on gambling research methods, ways to educate and prevent harm to gamblers and treatment. Within the gambling industry, research is being THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 6 done to identify and minimize the risks and harms associated with high stake, high prize gaming machines and support for harm prevention strategies and projects (â€Å"Responsible Gambling†, 2012). The following are the goals for gambling industries via their strategic evaluation: creating public awareness to the general public mass of the potential and associated risks with gambling. This is by informing the mass about the problem of gambling issues and helping them know responsible gambling and making them aware of ways to make healthy choices. This is through education and training. Another goal is to deliver gambling in a manner that promotes responsible gambling and informed choices among gamblers and potential gamblers. This is can be backed up by developing policies that encourage responsible gambling and improving the skills and knowledge about responsible gambling among gamblers. Finally, the industry tries to provide treatment and support to those gamblers impacted by the problem of gambling (â€Å"Ministry of Public Safety†, 2011). Barriers to effective strategic evaluation in the gambling industry include; high taxes that gambling companies are charged by the government, intense competition and the rising labor costs. High taxes levied against the industries tend to make it hard for the companies to make their evaluations effective as most of the money assembled is charged by the government in form of tax. Intense competition amongst the gambling companies also acts as a barrier to evaluation as some companies are facing reduced profits from losing customers. The high cost of labor tends to reduce the profit levels of the companies too. With increased labor requirement for growth and the increase in labor costs, gambling firms are facing a loss of some funds. With the free and global access to the internet, the gambling industry can use this medium as a way to make their strategies effective. Some industries have built platforms on the THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 7 internet such as websites where they can reach their customers from anywhere in the world. Online gambling games can also be created. Applications that can be installed on mobile phones and computers are being developed to enable gamblers to play their favorite games on their accessories. References Hoovers. (n. d). Gambling Report Summary. Retrieved from http://www. hoovers. com/industry- facts. gambling. 1431. html Martin Baird. (2002). Seven Keys to Improving Casino Guest Service. Retrieved from http://www. urbino. net/articles. cfm? specificArticle=Seven%20Keys%20to%20Improving %20Casino%20Guest%20Service Jueves.(2013). Casinos in the World: SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from http://casinosintheworld. blogspot. com/2013/02/swot-analysis. html THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 8 Responsible Gambling Strategy Board. (2012). Responsible gambling strategy prioritises its focus for the next three years. Retrieved from http://www. rgsb. org. uk/press- releases/responsible-gambling-strategy-prioritises-its-focus-for-the-next-three-years. html Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. (2011). B. C. ’s Responsible Gambling Strategy and Three Year Plan (2011/12 – 2013/14). Retrieved from https://www. gaming. gov. bc. ca/reports/docs/plan-rg-three-yr-2011-2014. pdf.

Analysis: “Hills Like White Elephants”

Ernest Hemingway revolves around a conversation between a girl and an American man. The story Is written In simple sentences and when one reads the story one does not really notice the subtleties present. Hemingway iceberg theory is relevant to this story because though the story seems to be simply about a man and a woman having a causal conversation there are undertones of more serious and pressing issues. It is set at a train station in between Barcelona and Madrid.Hemingway does this on purpose in order to highlight the fact that the relationship between the American and the girl is at crossroads. Throughout the passage there is no explicit sign of conflict however there Is a slight undercurrent of uncertainty and tension. The entire passage Is written in third person, it is objective and just states the facts of the conversation without really giving the reader any background information about the situation or the characters. This is probably been done to maintain a sense of myst ery.The title of the passage is also significant s White elephants' are symbolic of something that is unwanted and as the whole conversation between the American and woman revolves around whether to do an ‘operation' or not to get rid of something that Is supposedly an unborn baby, making the operation an abortion, this symbol is extremely important. The first paragraph of the passage is dedicated to describing the setting. It starts with a description of the hills as ‘long and white' and how there was ‘no shade on this side'.It then goes on to describe the other side across the rail tracks as a Warm shadow of the building and beaded curtain to keep the files out'. By describing the two sides the author creates two contrasting Images, one where there Is shade and another where there Is Just the hot sun. It also mentioned that the American and the girl sit In the shade. This can be said to be symbolic of conflict in the story. The shady area is the easier option, wh ich is going ahead with the abortion while the other side, which is hot, and without shade is the harder choice to keep the unborn baby.The setting is also symbolic as they are physically at a Junction point between Barcelona and Madrid however they re also mentally at a Junction as they are not sure what to do with the baby. The first line that the girl utters; What shall we drink' speaks volumes about her character and relationship with the American she Is with. It Is the start of her uncertainty, helplessness and dependence on the American. This is also conveyed when she says ‘lets drink beer' and then the American goes on to translate it into Spanish.It shows how dependent she is on the man to survive, not only linguistically in this particular setting but also otherwise. Her Indecision of whether to have a new drink with water r not, also conveys the Indecision she faces deeper Issue of whether or not to have an abortion. Also though she Is pregnant she Is consuming alcoh ol, which Is bad for her unborn child indicating that finally she might just agree with the American and go for the abortion. Her preoccupied nature ‘looking off at the line of hills' indicates that something is bothering her though what is not explicitly stated.It should be noted that though she was very eager to drink something when she arrived she is so preoccupied that she does not notice that the drinks have arrived. Also the contrast between the White hills' and the ‘brown, dry countryside portrays the purity of the girl who are at fault. Also the fact that the girl refers to the White hills' as White elephants' shows how unwanted the unborn born child is though the he or she has done nothing wrong. The man who is also the antagonist in the passage is portrayed as the more dominant character and behaves according to Hemingway rigid conception of reality.Hemingway chooses to name the two characters using different categories of pronouns; while he refers to the femal e protagonist simply as the girl†, the man is referred to as â€Å"the American† – hinting at the modernist trends in society prevalent at the time. He represents the freedom and liberation of relationships that were no longer based on romance but on convenience and a mutually acknowledged need for companionship. Throughout the passage the man seems more self-assured and confident than the girl, who looks to him for guidance in terms of mundane tasks as well as defers to his Judgment upon whether she should undergo the abortion.He also remains disconnected, though the girl and the American seem to be in a relationship there is no tangible evidence of love or real feelings, their relationship comes across as superficial and fake having a disagreement over the slightest thing such as whether he has seen White elephants' or not. Through out the passage he acts like he understands her situation and tries to persuade her by using phrases such as ‘perfectly natur al' and ‘perfectly simple' and uses insensitive epiphysis such as letting the air in† that clearly show his insensitivity, lack of understanding and comprehension of the emotional aspects of her situation.Throughout the conversation he tries to coax and convince her to undergo the operation Justifying his stance by reasoning that it would mean a resumption of their carefree travels, never realizing that that is precisely what she is weary of. He is blind to her increasingly apparent desire to settle down; while she considers the birth of her child and the commitment it would entail as a path to be considered (â€Å"Doesn't it mean anything to you? We could get along. â€Å"), the idea never crosses his mind since he cannot envisage forsaking his unattached lifestyle for any degree of responsibility, least of all to raise a child.Hemingway also uses diction and dialogue in order to enhance the readers understanding of the two main characters in the passage and the story . Throughout the girl uses words such as ‘could' and ‘l don't know whereas the man is more confident and sure of himself. He is the girl's pillar of support as she depends on him completely. However later on in the story she does change as she gains the confidence to question the American and reconsider whether or not she wants to have an abortion Thus to conclude Hemingway has used various literary devices and narrative techniques in order to rotary subtle conflicts in the passage.He has successfully used the setting and the actions of the characters to portray the conflict instead of blatantly stating them, thus making it more effective. He also uses two drastically different characters that have a loveless relationship as opposed to the usual romantic one. Also structure of the passage contributes to the effect that it has on the reader as Hemingway first starts with describing the setting and then going on to the characters themselves thus emphasizing the importance of the setting. E passage there is no explicit sign of conflict however there is a slight undercurrent of uncertainty and tension. The entire passage is written in third person, it is objective and Just states the facts of the conversation without really giving the reader ‘operation' or not to get rid of something that is supposedly an unborn baby, making a beaded curtain to keep the flies out'. By describing the two sides the author creates two contrasting images, one where there is shade and another where there is Just the hot sun, it also mentioned that the American and the girl sit in the shade.This first line that the girl utters; What shall we drink speaks volumes about her character and relationship with the American she is with. It is the start of her uncertainty, setting but also otherwise. Her indecision of whether to have a new drink with water or not, also conveys the indecision she faces deeper issue of whether or not to have an abortion. Also though she is pregna nt she is consuming alcohol, which is bad for her unborn child indicating that finally she might Just agree with the American and unborn child while the brown dry countryside is symbolic of the American and the

Socialization in Kindergartens Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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Question 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Question 2 - Essay Example This report is based on the implementation of ICT in the business strategy making process and the selected organization for analysis is Google Plc. Google is the largest market share holder of the search engine and internet browser industry (google.co.uk, 2014). With a diversified and huge product base they are among the industry leaders of the technological segment. The report will try to evaluate the process of ICT implementation by Google for business strategy development. Before the introduction of ICT in the business world, business processes focused on gaining accuracy in their strategies which slowed the response time of the business towards market changes. However, in the past two decades the increasing use of ICT in the business processes has brought in frequent changes that allowed the business houses to cope up with the changes in the market nature. Bossink (2008) stated that the basic role of ICT was to enhance the communication between a business and its stakeholders. But with continuous growth and modification in the strategy, ICT is now a dominant factor in every functional aspects of business. New technologies such as cloud computing have helped in business expansion across geographical boundaries and reduced the cost of operating overseas. Business houses can now monitor the work, gather, store and share information, synchronies their work process from a singular location in spite of travelling to all the places. Pollock (2010) stated that business operations have become more accelerated and focused with the help of ICT integration in the business. Business firms can now connect with a wider consumer base with the help of ICT technologies such as video conferencing. Furthermore, business monitoring process has also changed with advanced technologies such as cctv monitoring, employee tracking systems, etc (youtube.com, 2009). Zikmund (2008) summarized that the influence of ICT on the business process has been mainly on the

Business Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 5

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Sex differences in perception of female body shapes (FINAL YEAR Literature review

Sex differences in perception of female body shapes (FINAL YEAR PSYCHOLOGY) - Literature review Example This analysis will be through the systematic search of journal databases in order to find commonalities among various articles through key word searches. The primary concern of the research was focused on body weight as most articles articulated this aspect of body image as being the primary focus of quantifying attractiveness. The search strategy that was used for this study was undertaken through a search of the Web of Knowledge data base, specifically through Medline and Webscience. 40 studies were defined as relevant to the study and were used in order to compare both duplicate results and to contrast any information that might be in conflict. Through the use of a large variety of studies, the conclusions were verified through multiple resources and the information was confirmed as reliable. #Sex differences on perception of female body shape as attractive A Review of the Relevant Literature Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background and Importance The body image issues in the West ern world have gained ground in importance through the influence of the media. Body image is connected to issues of success, of mating, and of overall mental health in terms of contentment with the quality of one’s life. ... Therefore, the study of this phenomenon has occurred through the work of multiple researchers who have explored the perceptions of female body image through both the male and female perspective. Social influences have been determined to have an impact on the fashion of body weight in terms of perception of attraction. The media has the highest level of power in influencing the fashion of body weight attractiveness where females are concerned (Johnson and Petri 1995: Feingold and Mazzella 1998: Glauert, Rhodes, Byrne, Fink, and Grammer. 2009).. Family and friends more often provide a positive influence, while media influence produce highly improbably ideals that are improbable for most women to replicate. This creates a lowered self-esteem and predicts lower overall satisfaction in life. This can lead to food issues and eating disorders which impact the quality of life. The following literature review has been conducted using a search strategy that includes the use of the Web Knowledg e database, an online service through which the entering of key words provides a selection of appropriate relevant literature. The first section of the work will provide a list of key words that were used in order to conduct the search. In the process of conducting this search, a large number of articles were discovered that have initial relevant content. The articles were then searched to find those which had the most detailed relevant content and through which the best possible choices could be made towards establishing a foundation for the topic. 1.3 Search Protocol 1.3.1 Selection Criteria The topic of this paper is the differences in perception that males and females appreciate in regard to how the female body shape

Avoiding Plagiarism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Avoiding Plagiarism - Essay Example This reflection paper provides insight into my experience with researching, referencing, and writing academic papers. After a critical analysis of my writing skills, I discovered that I am very cautions with plagiarism. The college has strict policy against plagiarism, which could result in failure in my coursework or even expulsion in extreme situation. To avoid these consequences I have learned how to paraphrase my research, do quotations, and summarize material from secondary sources of information in my own words. According to Neville (2007), it is critical for students to write in their own voice, which is a foremost factor when trying to avoid plagiarism. I am also good at critiquing other author’s ideas. This gives me an opportunity to my make my own contribution to a certain topic by improving on literature available. I believe that every field of research needs new ideas which can be possible through evaluation of literature available and adding your own views. In addition, I take citations very seriously. I discovered that I rely heavily on auto formatting tools in word processing. The over reliance on auto formatting tools can be time consuming and reduces my ability to improve my writing style. According to Wong (2011), students should ensure they master the difference between research and plagiarism. Sometimes after extensive research on a topic, I tend to reproduce the ideas in the same format as the author, which increases my chances of plagiarizing my work. Therefore, I have to use anti plagiarism tools to ensure my work is original. This process can be time consuming and mastering how to avoid plagiarism would increase my confidence when writing academic papers. I have not perfected in text citations, I keep referring to class notes, and I use auto-formatting tools to ensure that all papers I write are cited properly. My plan is to

It Is Needed to Control Combustible Dusts Hazard Research Paper

It Is Needed to Control Combustible Dusts Hazard - Research Paper Example The explosions develop and then give safety measures to be taken in preventing such occurrences. The paper will also discuss some debatable issues regarding combustible dusts. The paper will then conclude with an overview of the recommendations needed to control combustible dusts hazard. Combustible dusts comprise of fine particles that cause an explosion hazard when suspended in the air and certain conditions (OSHA, 2009). A hazardous product has the capability of being ignited (Willy, 1995). Dust explosions cause tragic loss of life, serious bodily harm and devastating destruction of property. The potential for dust explosions remains unknown to most workers. This calls for the evaluation of potential chemical hazards, and the communication of hazard information to workers. According to OSHA (2009), materials that have the capability of forming combustible dust include wood, paper, sugar, metals such as aluminum & magnesium, coal, dried blood, soap, biosolids, plastics and certain textiles. They are found in a variety of industries and workplaces. Combustible dust can build up within process equipment and/or escape from process equipment settling on surfaces in the general working environment (L & I, 2009). These accumulations are extremely explosive especially when dispersed in the air in the presence of ignition sources like standard electrical switches. The U.S Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CBS) identified two hundred and eighty of combustible dust incidences between 1980 and 2005 that led to the death of one hundred and nineteen workers, injured seven hundred and eighteen, and extensively damaged numerous industrial facilities (OSHA, 2009). Massachusetts suffered a similar fate in February 1999, when the deadly fire broke in a foundry investigation in the incidence revealed that a fire stemmed from a shell molding machine and then extended in the ventilation of the system ducts by feeding on  heavy deposits of phenol formaldehyde dusts (OSHA, 2009).  

Royal Dutch Shells Innovation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Royal Dutch Shells Innovation - Assignment Example There are a lot of financial bearings which must be met by the innovative firm. The process of innovating a firm involves proper analysis of the market (especially in a perfectly competitive industry) which covers from products/services to management strategies. Shell being one of the firms which operates in an open economy is not left behind in adopting new technologies and innovations in exploration, production, and marketing of oil and gas products globally. As noted by Hamel & Skarzynski (2012, p.14), the future of an organization in this stiffly competitive world is bestowed on the ability of the firm to effectively and flexible use technology which stands the potential of enhancing its innovativeness. Royal Dutch Shell has been a pace setter in production and management innovation. Through its technological innovations and flexibility, Royal Dutch Shell has revolutionized the Energy sector for decades. However, like other firms in the industry, the innovation structure adopted by the Royal Shell has certain drawbacks and strengths. The innovation management structure of the Royal Dutch Shell builds on its strengths as a key tool to satisfy its customers and the well being of the employees. The success of the innovation initiated at Shell is believed to be supported by the senior management team. Unlike other organizations (which are rigid to change), every at Shell (from top to bottom) are opposed to old school production and management technologies especially in this competitive economic era. Therefore, the management leads the path towards eliminating technological hurdles which stands on their way to success and market dominance. The level of openness to new ideas, concepts, and technologies is evidenced by the degree at which the management is ready to take the risks of investing in modern technologies both in service delivery and production units. For instance, the scenario planning strategy which has been used by the company over the last forty year s has been successful in solving energy crisis. With the uncertainty facing the future of petroleum and oil products, orchestration of probable uncertain scenario rests on how well the management is open to innovation and technological changes both in operations and service delivery. Besides, Shell uses more environmental friendly solutions such as blueprints. Blueprints advocates for electronic engines in the transportation process as a way of reducing pollution. The success of Shell is also explained by its innovational culture which promotes change and technological advancements. Little cultural residence to change technology at Shell has been essential in helping the company to remain competitive and reputable in the oil industry. The company welcomes ideas and concepts from all its staff and goes ahead to reward the employees for their innovative efforts. A perfect example of cultural innovation at Shell is game changer program and social audit (Hamel & Skarzynski, 2012, p.12). Shell has been undertaking a number of management restructuring and product quality to remain competitively relevant in the global energy market .However, its efforts are being marred by some potential gaps that needs further consideration for it to achieve its goals of greater global market share. The basic asset of any firm is the effort of human capital which equally depends on the mode of co-operating and interaction. This company has invested averagely high in technology to improve the quality of its products at a lower value creation cost. On the other side of the coin, this company has given the interest of its staff the least attention

Failure vs Success Essay Example for Free

Failure vs Success Essay

Influences on Online Consumer Buying Behaviour

Influences on Online Consumer Buying Behaviour Among the online shoppers there are many potential online consumers with an intention to purchase, but only few finishes the buying process (Shim et al. 2001). Buyers are online consumers who really make a purchase but browsers are the online shoppers who perform to access the online stores to retrieve the details of products and services but are not in intention to purchase (Law Bai, 2008). But there are studied that clearly explain the ways to convert an online shopper of browser to an buyer (Ranaweera et al. 2008). The web pages portrayal of its ambience and reliance helps the online browser to buy or not to, only the initial purchase satisfaction and experience of convenience online can make the online consumer come back again. Oliver (1999) found that the intentions of online shoppers with repeat of purchases will help to build relationship oriented online stores leading to online consumer loyalty. Constantinides (2004) clearly stated that there few influential factors which ar e external and internal that affect the online consumption behaviour. 1.0 INFLUENTIAL ASPECTS OF ONLINE CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOUR Kotler (2003) stated the online consumers behaviour is the learning process of the online consumers online store experience, search of information, and decision making of the buying process. The figure 1 clearly depicts the influential aspects of online consumer buying behaviour which are considered to posses uncontrollable and controllable aspects. The Kotler (2003) work is further is further enhanced by the addition of controllable aspects for online store experience by Constantinides (2004). The online consumer behaviour is basically based on the whole impression of online stores portal. (Constantinides, 2004) The strike of emotions occurred and other psychological factors while shopping in the web portal results to the overall online behaviour of the consumer. The web portal expelling the weak emotions or bad experience of online store is mostly likely to lose the potential online consumer compared to that of a web portal which portrays good online shopping experience. Due to the bad experiences in online stores, the online consumers choose to shop offline and prefer offline more rather online stores for future purchases. Yang et al. (2003) found that the online consumers prefer the websites that directs them step by step procedure for purchase decision rather than online stores that just direct online buyer to products. Czinkota and Kotabe (2001) states the uncontrollable aspects of online consumers like demographics and culture is not under the control of online store marketers. Constantinides (2002) work stated the fact that the experience that takes place during online shopping between buyer and seller through virtual interaction medium has major influence compared to other aspects to influence the online consumer behaviour. Finally the major impact on online consumers purchasing behaviour is mainly influenced by content, functionality and psychological behavioural factors (Constantinides, 2004). Jayawardhena et al (2007) study proves that the factor that generally motivates the online consumer to buying process is the maximum of control over their online shopping. But study of Sun (2010) proves that the online consumers are driven to buying process on the backgrounds of relationship excellence. 1.2 CONTENT ASPECT The features and appearance of the website is referred as the content factors of ecommerce. Kotler (1984) defined the aesthetics aspect of atmospheric factor that influences the shoppers buying behaviour. The outlook and interior brightnes and feel of the brick and mortar stores adds to the buying behaviour of the consumer (Areni and Kim, 1994), whereas the online consumers prefer the online stores with great visibility and good quality. Conroy (2006) claims that the visual and aural effects of web store can create attention and attraction among the online consumers, where this claims supports the study of Areni and Kim (1994). For instance flipkart.com creates attention and attraction of online consumers in India with good appearance of webpage appearance and product reviews. Functionality aspects of web store and online consumers webpage attraction is possibly created by highlighting sensory stimuli for the web stores (Parson and Conroy, 2006). The process of converting browsers to actual buyers can take place by clearly communicating the aesthetics of web store intensions to online consumers (Wang et al. 2010). Constantinides (2004) stated the positive aspects that motivate online consumer are better tracking facilities and preferable delivery options. The need for segmenting the online consumers based on buying behaviour helps to break them in groups and target with intensions. 1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT Consumers decision making process is vastly affected by the online store experience and behaviour are the main impacts of psychological aspects (Mcguire, 1976), Most online customers tend to terminate the online purchase for the reason of trust concern (Grabner-Krà ¤uter and Kaluscha, 2003). Major online retailers created a trustful atmosphere for online consumers by providing guarantees and return policies which help to eliminate the customers anxiety over online transactions. Web store option of frequently answered questions creates a positive element to the psychological aspect of the browser or buyer while shopping online. Online purchase returns without many hindrances and dissatisfaction handling of online consumer are all the additions to motivation for purchase decision process (Constantinides, 2004). 1.3 FUNCTIONALITY ASPECT The online stores usability and interactivity are the main factors associated for aspects of functionality. These factors are involved to influence in the process of buying decision of online consumer (Constantinides, 2004). Online consumption growth for years growing but the usability is getting complicated but by providing consumers with required information it is becoming minimal effort to use online shopping compared to offline. Online consumer are also provided ordered way to search for information and process the buying decision making properly navigated with proper net functionalities (Constantinides, 2004). Convenience and saving of time is the primary goal for any online shopper but with improper web store navigation and poor quality of the web store impacts the online consumer behaviour negatively to become a browser than a buyer (Nah and Davis, 2002) 2.0 SEGMENTATION OF E-CONSUMERS Online new buyers, experienced buyers and potential buyers are the three different segmented e-consumer groups in the e-commerce industry which is derived from the study of Hernà ¡ndez-Ortega et al. (2008). Online new buyers are the segmented e-consumers who are already familiar online purchase patterns but are shopping online for better deal driven or options. Online buyers who shop frequently and are easily adapted to online shopping structure are the experienced online buyers, these consumers are the most essential for the online stores value building and experienced buyers should under track on to maintain their loyalty. The online buyers with an intension to purchase online and are even chances of repeating online shopping can be turned to potential buyers by online stores efforts (Gronroos, 2004). The segmentation of online consumers is clearly done based on their shopping patterns is to define their online consumption behaviour to target certain strategies to turn them to ret urn online stores and create a sense of loyalty. It is done only by understanding and analysing the online shopping behaviour like price sensitivity, shopping activeness, balance of orientation, convenience and brand loyalty (Jayawardhena et al. 2007). 2.1 SENSIVITY TOWARDS PRICE Online consumers behaviour based on sensitivity of price are the economic online consumers according to study of Brown et al. (2003). Consumers from this segregated group are more concerned at the value for money attitude. Price sensitivity consumers will not give any attention towards online stores convenience or time aspects. These consumers choose the best possible product/service for their investment (Vijayasarathy, 2003). Online consumers who are price sensitive are large in number compared to other segmented online consumers, basically it is believed that major number of online consumers choose online stores over offline for finding value for money products/services (Brown et al. 2003). 2.2 BALANCED IN THE ORIENTATION Darden and Ashton (1975) termed this set of online consumers as discerning buyers or balanced buyers, these consumers are require all the preferential aspects of online shopping in a balanced manner. These consumers are loyal, take time to shop but will go for the best product/service that provides the balance of all their requirements. But according to study of Jayawardhena et al. (2007) convenience is proved to play key role in defining their online shopping preference compared to other aspects, further this set of online consumers are cannot be targeted very easily as the other online consumers. 2.3 LOYALTY TOWARDS BRAND The firm online sales can be steadily maintained with this set of consumers, who are loyal to the firm resulting in purchase of only their product/service. Browser can be converted to a buyer, if the brand has the potential to create loyalty among the browsers (Dawar and parker, 1994). Well recognition of brand and brands loyalty can help to lower the online consumers trust issues and risk aspects (Huang et al. 2004). All these aspects add to the well recognised brand to posses higher amount of market share compared to that of unrecognised brand. This segment of online consumers is recognised to be moderately high in number (Jayawardhena et al. 2007). 2.4 SHOPPING ACTIVENESS Online consumers who shop online for recreation belong to the aspect of shopping activeness. Online consumers from this aspect take pleasure in online shopping even if they purchase or not. Allred et al. (2006) considers that this segment of online consumers cannot be targeted by any motivational factors, as they shop for enjoyment of shopping than just purchasing. But Brown et al. (2003) considers few strategies to impact to attract these group by promotional offers, offering sample is possible, catalogues, design of a attractive web store can all add up to push to consumer to purchase product/service rather than just shopping. This further adds that if the consumer can also enjoy the whole buying process, chances of buying is more. These segment of online consumers are least compared to other segments (Jayawardhena et al. 2007) 2.5 CONVENIENCE The segment of online consumers wants to overcome inconvenience of travelling to offline stores, escape weather conditions, and eliminate the limitation of product/service varieties (Vijayasarathy, 2003). Some other preferences adding to this group are shopping pleasure and necessity. This segment of consumers depend convenience but this group are not in large compared to price sensitive consumers (Jayawardhena et al. 2007). The study on online consumer purchase patterns and behaviours are all most similar to that of offline consumers behaviours, the major identification in this study is that online shopping is just another channel of consumption of goods or services (Jayawardhena et al. 2007). But the conclusion that online shopping and offline shopping is similar is not the right consideration, below further study is done to define differences of offline and online consumers. 3.0 OFFLINE CONSUMERS AND ONLINE CONSUMERS The fast growth of internet penetration globally created a hugs shift of consumption channels from offline to online through the platform of e-commerce (Iqbal et al. 2002). Online consumers mostly are educated, mostly young and well-off tends to opt for online shopping over the offline channel (Allred et al. 2006). The difference in offering of value among the offline and online consumers is well studied by Iqbal et al. (2002). The online consumer enjoys the value of efficiency, features, speed in traction and price. The offline consumer enjoys the value of immediate customer service, quality, tangibility and promotional offers. Online and offline shopping has its own disadvantages and advantages for its consumers. The aspects that influence the purchasing behaviour of consumers in offline and online are same, only the tools used to target the offline and online consumers differ (Constantinides, 2004). But the tools that are available for influencing online consumption are numerous b ut there are various issues associated to it, the further discussion highlights the identified issue. 4.0 LIMITATIONS OF ONLINE STORES Lepkowska-White et al. (2004) study proved that various issues of online stores creates a sense worry for online consumers, mainly the issues which arise are complication of product/service information, product delivery, security and privacy issues, limited relationship and low customer service. Despite the various issues associated with online shopping, there aspects like e-retailers core competencies (Hofacker, 2008) that drive the online success even over the external factors like culture and demographic (Quelch and Klien, 1996). Web store is a virtual store executed and created on software programmes, several flaws would arise if the software program is not well designed. Bauer et al. (2006) research stated that online stores cannot balance its consumers with good functions of online shopping and better online store experience. Online store servers response time is also main issue under online consumer trust. Online store server with fast response can build trust and server with delay over the clicks can cause worry among the consumers (Cao and Zhao, 2004). The expenses that are saved from offline store structure by the online store is equally leveraged by the effort to bring and build e-sales. The main aspects of online store limitations are further discussed. 4.1 LEGAL AND REGULATORY CONCERNS Various issues regarding legal and regulatory grounds are being faced by various online stores for its negligence of its consumers legal and regulatory concerns. Wijnholds and Little, 2001 stated that the regulatory issue are related to geographical position. Online stores have to obey and abide to the governing rules which challenge sensitive privacy issues of online consumers. There are various online stores that secretly stored the consumer shopping details to target them with appropriate strategies for instance Amazon.com, where its strategy was opposed by few governing councils like European Union, where a rule was passed out to inform consumers prior to collection of their shopping details (Simnett,1999). This rule raised concerns for e-retailers to build trust among consumers and create strategies to market. Taxation is another concern for e-retailers trading globally, where different geographical location charge different amount of tax. The online store prices have variation according to consumers geographical origin. Online stores change their web portal according to various governing rules to operate in various countries (Eaglesham and Tucker, 1999). 4.2 SECURITY AND RISK Online consumers behaviour is mainly affected by the trust issue, the whole trading process is carried out in the e-commerce industry under value of trust and privacy (Constantinides, 2004). Lot of online sales are terminated or discontinued on the transaction process due to the trust issues between buyer and seller (Grabner-Krà ¤uter and Kaluscha, 2003). There are two kinds of trust that is described by Sun (2010), affective trust and cognitive trust. Affective trust is the emotional relationship between the seller and buyer, cognitive trust deals with integrity and benevolence. Online stores with built trust among its consumers can make them feel high satisfaction, less risk, high intensity to browse the online store for new or better products/services lead to increase in online sales. There are various third-party assurances given by various government agencies (Constantinides, 2004). They are specifically termed as third party assurance (TPA), many online stores failed to effect ively communicate its third party assurance to it consumers to build trust. TPA is classified as mark of trust that certain online store is trust worthy to make a purchase decision (Kimery  and  McCord,  2006). The two aspects related to purchase making decision are relationship with the seller and online stores information of product/service. Among all the online consumers many prefer a know online store compared to unknown online store for shopping. The unknown store to attract new online consumers and retain them need to focus on web store design and core competencies and finally by building trust the online store can also attract online consumers traffic (Constantinides, 2004). Li et al. (2008) from the study it is identified that the online store from its designing stage itself has to consider the trust and privacy concerns for their consumers. 5.0 E-RETAILERS IMPLICATIONS An E-retailer effort to push the consumer to overcome the barriers to make a purchase decision is the tough task to convert a browser into a buyer for its store. Nonetheless there are various external and internal aspects that influence the online consumer during the buying process. There are various web-store plannings and online marketing strategies available to influence the consumption behaviour of online buyers (Kolesar and Galbraith, 2000; Constantinides, 2002; Allred et al. 2006). Constantinides (2002) recommended 4 fundamentals model of S (system, synergy, site and scope or strategy) of online marketing strategy. This fundamental model can improve all areas of online selling. The system aspect of the model deals with online firm administration and requirements of technology. The synergy aspect of the model deals with the integration of its functions in relation to partnerships and legal requirements. The site aspect of the model deals with design of web store to create and ma intain the satisfaction level of shopping experience among browsers and buyers. Finally the scope aspect of the model deals with researching the market information of consumer patterns to form strategies that match the online consumer behaviour that suits the core of the web store. Vijayasarathy (2003) recommends that to sales of product/services to be carried only if suitable to be carried out in ecommerce channel. Boyd (2005) further added that regular online consumer would be satisfied with basic level service provided, trust and further few aspects are discussed below. 5.1 RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND PHYSICAL PROOF The web store atmospheric evaluation of the online consumer creates the portal impression. The web store physical proof is noted simplicity of usage and fast reply of portal to consumers requests influence the consumers level of shopping experience (Wijnholds and Little, 2001). The core competencies of web store should help them create niche among the other web stores. The web store design should appeal the consumers according to its line of products/services and satisfy their shopping experience. For instance Chanel fashion house website targets the customers with their fashion shows and display of famous models. Relationship building is an important activity to be considered by e-retailers to retain the online consumers. Building relationship is done by basic steps of obtaining feedback and providing reply with quick information (Huang and Shyu, 2009). For instance, travel websites provide online consumers with FAQs, chat sessions, quick information regarding the travel options and availabilities (Allred et al. 2006). Sun (2010) believe that the effort of the e-retailer to retain online consumer with various aspects has positive effect on online consumers behaviour. 6.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research questions are the most important aspects of this management project, In which it defines the current online consumer patterns in India and benchmarking of Indian online consumption with USA. The methodology includes the detail analysis and study in the Indian e-commerce Market with online consumers behaviour in relation to the discussion from literature review. The answer for the research problem is provided based on the related aspects that are discussed in the literature review, the case study methodology is applied for the gathering of analysis, data and the ways to form recommendations on what to do improvise the current trends. The nature of the research problem will define the choice of research method. The nature of phenomena to be researched states the research method sustainability (Morgan and Smircich, 1980). To form the basis for the research theoretical perspective is chooses as choice for methodology. Levy (2006) stated that Methodology, methods, theoretical perspective and Epistemology are the four elements of research design. 6.1 RESEARCH DESIGN: EPISTEMOLOGY The process of Epistemology is the research design that relates the knowledge and it usage and adequacy using the philosophical grounding (Levy, 2006). Constructionism and Objectivist are the two main underlined epistemology. Objectivism Constructionism Positivism Interpretivism Grounded Theory Survey One- to- one Interviews Case Study Focus Group Sampling Measurement and Scaling Figure : Research Design elements Source: (Crotty, 1998) It is discovered that if the research of objectivists is carried out in proper manner there are possibilities to find the truth. But objectivists are rejected by constructionists that there is no process discovering or finding truth. The communication with various realities of the global can only derive truth. Thus the constructionists mean that nothing is discovered but is only constructed (Levy, 2006). Above figure states the research design elements associated to quantitative and qualitative methodology. 6.2 PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH: THEORETICAL There are two approaches of the philosophy of research: Interpretivism and Positivist. Interpretivism posses that researchers have no access to the actual world and their awareness of the perception of the current world is significant, in which they could be understood by the usage of intrepretivist processes. Positivism is the associated to the objectivism epistemology and based on the assumption that there is ways to acquire concrete knowledge about the truth (Carson et al. 2001). Positivist is the one who considers the object and the subject or the researcher as independent and two different aspects. The knowledge that could be acquired beyond the human awareness is ascertained by positivists. These set of researchers believe human awareness about the world and the view of the objective ascertains the total view of base for the human awareness (Webber, 2004). The large number of positivists tends to analyse the history, culture, experience and so on all those that creates the research. Survey, field experiments and laboratory experiments are research methodologies available for the usage by positivists. The philosophy of research applied in this project is the internpretivism. It is believed that researchers who watch and reality they believe cannot be separated. Throughout their life their perceptions or the concept about world is brought from the flow of experiences (Weber, 2004). The awareness the interpretivists structure imitates their culture, experience, own goals, etc. Few characteristics of Interpretivist are discussed below: Researchers are motivated by episodes of concepts and approaches of qualitative measures. The focal point of research is the process of analysing the happenings under the given circumstances. Including the various concerns like individual perspectives, researcher involvement, and multiple realities. Tendency of usage towards the phenomenographic, enthographic and case studies. They are concerned to defend the acquired awareness through research process. Conclusions made by the researcher are reasonable and the research is carried in the context of researcher examination of evidences. The researcher believes that clubbing of both research process and its subjectivity an portray the steps taken to assess limitations of the subjectivity (Weber, 2004) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Methodological approach is not only affected by the research philosophy like epistemology but it also affects the interpretivist approach. The researcher study is focused on understanding and interpretation (Carson et al, 2001) and motivated to relate personal experience and knowledge in the interpretivist framework. The conclusion is that it is based on the approach of qualitative. The study that is not made by the means of quantifications and means of statistical procedures to define the findings of the research as qualitative approach (Levy, 2006). When the main scope of the study is to construct theory with effective methodology then it is the qualitative methodology. This research involves researcher reactions and views, documents, questionnaires, interviews and observations. The qualitative methodology basis form is done by the grounded theory method. The fundamental aspect of the grounded theory model is that to discover and read the data from various series through observations through where the core points are extracted and marked (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). Research theory is grounded in association to the repeated reference of the knowledge. Interpretivist research with complex social process among people is required to carried out in solving the research problem using the grounded theory (Carson et al. 2001). RESEARCH METHODS CASE STUDY METHOD The analysis of complexity and particularity of a case or issue reaching to point of acquiring knowledge of the core circumstances (Stake, 1995). It is focus light over a certain instance (Denscombe). The investigation and study at one instance can help to define and discover details that were never discovered in any other researches. The four stages of case study work: Analysing the current situation. Which is carried out through semi structured and structured interviews. Information collection on the current and background of the circumstances. This is carried out through interviews, documentation references and observations. Gathering more precise information, through the observations, interviews and exploration of information. Analysis presentation of recommendations and observations. The progression of intensive knowledge and development of details regarding certain circumstances of a case result in formation of a case study (Saunder et al, 1997). The various questions that arise from the management project are answered by the case study. The study to analyse the effects of past issues, current issues and its influences on the organisational units is the basic approach of case study (Jankowicz, 2005). According to Yin (1984) case study analysis has four core issues that are external validity, construct validity, internal validity and reliability. A concern that creates issue in the operations of the analysis, where the data collected is repeated with similar results is the reliability issue. Establishment of relationships that are important for the comparison of research methods like survey is considered by the internal validity. To control the chances of researcher misinterprets the information and end up with wrong recommendation and conclusions are controlled by construction validity which employs correct methods. The study conclusions that are comprehensive are concerns that are established by external validity. There are various concerns that arise case study approach, those are rigour, reliability, validity, time and information overload, subjective bias and generalisation (Burns, 2000). The various issues are considered and case study approach is applied based on highlighting the concerns. 7.0 INDIAN ONLINE CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR 7.1 BACKGROUND 7.2 CURRENT ONLINE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN INDIA Traditional Indian retail consumption of touch and buy is changing to click and buy. But the online consumers in India are not really buying the concept of online shopping in the present scenario of nascent ecommerce. (http://www.juxtconsult.com/Reports/Juxt_India_Online_2009_Main_Report.pdf) From the report of Juxconsult online shoppers in India for 2009 are 9 million with 3.5 million are buyers and remaining are the internet consumers who search but do not prefer online stores are browsers. TRAVEL SECTOR The major Indian online consumption comes from the worlds second largest rail network one that caters to 13 million passengers every day, the network that has been the back bone of Indian economy for more than a hundred and fifty years. When the Indian railways launched its online bookings in 2005 everyone expected it to be a success but no one guessed how big the portal would grow to be. Currently Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) portal leads Indias e-commerce market (http://www.irctc.com/annual_report.html). In April 2010 IRCTC reported that it registered 9 million transactions (http://www.pluggd.in/irctc-transactions-tickets-sold-worth-6-billion-april-2009-297/) and it is the top e-governance project executed in India. IRCTC web portal also started its service of air ticketing thats because the Indian middle class have been actively logging in to buy air tickets online in the past few years. The travel vertical accounts for 80% e-commerce in India. These are the various reasons travel sector is one of the most successful e-commerce verticals in the country. The travel sector e-commerce is quick transaction process for online consumer. The relationship of travel sector and e-commerce in India is becoming stronger in days time. Travel sector e-commerce is a fixed business model with low certain margins, experience air travel and global economic downturn meant that the travel e-commerce need to face the loses, thats when the travel portals choose to diversify their interests like value added services like hotel bookings, car rentals, bus and rail tickets. From travel to classified the next most successful vertical CLASSIFIEDS SECTOR The classifieds sector is divided into many markets but matrimony, jobs and real estates forms the major share of the sector. Among them in terms of revenue matrimony is the largest because matrimony is largest as it is fixed subscription business model. Blending tradition with the new age technology this portals essentially charge a subscription fee to allow a user to post and search profiles on their account, Apart from this these portals make revenue through match-making schemes and online ads. Indian online consumers prefer these organised matrimonial services because of the pressure to get married and few their opportunities to meet potential partners. For the job segment portals are making huge revenue with recruitment and personnel services, traffic grow frequently by 30% every few months. The 60% of job recruitments in India are don

Interview with the Luddite :: Lunsford Interveiw Luditte Essays

Interview with the Luddite In Andrea Lunsford's introduction she gives a brief background on both Kelly and his interviewee, Kirkpatrick Sale. From her descriptions it is very clear on how different the beliefs of these two men are from each other. Lunsford seems to be fascinated by how the interviews in Wired magazine, which she sort of reluctantly subscribes to, have all ended up in a debate or argument. And the one "which you are about to read,["Interview with the Luddite"] is no exception," she says(243). In this paper I will discuss the different claims of each of the two men and weigh them against each other for validity and persuasiveness. While reading "Interview with the Luddite" by Kevin Kelly I immediately sensed a feeling of sarcasm on Kelly's part. From the title alone I could tell that Kelly was either not looking forward to the interview, or he just could not wait until he could sit down with this guy and pick him apart. He uses the term "the Luddite" in such a generalized sense that it almost makes the interviewee sound so unimportant as a person. Since there is more than one Luddite on the planet he could have used the word "a" instead of "the" when referring to this person he was about to interview. The very first question Kelly asks Sale is an accusation and comes across very harshly to the reader. He asks, "Other than arson and a lot of vandalism, what did the Luddites accomplish in the long run?"(243). After reading this first question, I felt a little sorry for Sale, and I was mad at Kelly for asking such an abrupt question. But my sympathy soon ended when Kelly continued on in the interview. Sale proudly explains and defends the beliefs of his group, the Luddites. But it is clear that Kelly has a strong opposing opinion. He immediately wants to weaken the character of Sale so that the reader is liable to side more with Kelly, himself. This is a very effective strategy on Kelly's part because I found myself agreeing with him more than I did with Sale. When Kelly asked if Sale considered himself a modern-day Luddite, Sale said yes. Sale argues that this is so in the sense that the Luddites of today had not resorted to destroying property, but used books and voices to help raise the consciousness that technology is bad.

Managing Diversity Essay -- Ethnicity Racial Races Papers

Managing Diversity As we enter the new millenium, diversity in the workforce is rapidly increasing. Businesses and organizations are living up to the great melting pot image the United States has always been popular for. Employees now reflect a diversity of cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, physical abilities, and levels of education. This wave of multiculturalism is here to stay and cannot be ignored. It is in need of attention in order to uphold the well-being and success of businesses and organizations all over the country. One way to face this wave of diversity is to learn to accept and value it (http://www.online.wbc.org/Docs/starting/diversity.html). What is diversity? Why does it matter? Once this is accomplished, the next step would be to learn how to manage diversity in the workplace. What kind of environment would managers have to create to educate employees about cultural diversity (http://mason.gmu.edu/~Isamuel/diverse.htm). In addition, an efficient manager would assess how well the environment that he/she has created is working (http://www.communitypolicing.org/exchange/e16_97/e16glosr.htm) What makes a good trainer? What are some common mistakes that a trainer could make? What is diversity? There are several definitions of diversity that exists in literature. Some definitions range from narrow to very broad. Those that are narrow tend to reflect the laws of affirmative action and equal employment opportunities such as race, gender, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, and disability. Broad definitions tend to include sexual preference and orientation, values, education, language, economic status, marital status, lifestyle, and beliefs (7). One example defines diversity as a... ... of Managing Diversity," The Best of the Bureaucrat (Winter 1991- 2) : 41-44. 2. Andy Ferguson, "A White Man's View on Diversity," The Public Manager (Spring 1997) : 52-54. 3. Matti Dobbs and Oliver Brown, "A Vital Link: The Supervisor's Role in Managing Diversity," The Public Manager (Summer 1997) : 53-56. 4. Audrey Mathews, "Diversity: A Principle of Human Resource Management," Public Personnel Management (Summer 1998) 27 vols. No. 2 : 175-184. 5. Matti F. Dobbs, "Managing Diversity: The Department of Energy Initiative," PublicPersonnel Management (Summer 1998) 27 vols. No. 2 : 161-173. 6. James D. Slack., "From Affirmative Action to Full Spectrum Diversity in the American Workplace," Rev. of Public Personnel Administration (Fall 1997) : 75- 87. 7. Rosemary Wentling, "Diversity Training in the Workplace," http://nerve.berkeley.edu/CW73/WIPIL.html Managing Diversity Essay -- Ethnicity Racial Races Papers Managing Diversity As we enter the new millenium, diversity in the workforce is rapidly increasing. Businesses and organizations are living up to the great melting pot image the United States has always been popular for. Employees now reflect a diversity of cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, physical abilities, and levels of education. This wave of multiculturalism is here to stay and cannot be ignored. It is in need of attention in order to uphold the well-being and success of businesses and organizations all over the country. One way to face this wave of diversity is to learn to accept and value it (http://www.online.wbc.org/Docs/starting/diversity.html). What is diversity? Why does it matter? Once this is accomplished, the next step would be to learn how to manage diversity in the workplace. What kind of environment would managers have to create to educate employees about cultural diversity (http://mason.gmu.edu/~Isamuel/diverse.htm). In addition, an efficient manager would assess how well the environment that he/she has created is working (http://www.communitypolicing.org/exchange/e16_97/e16glosr.htm) What makes a good trainer? What are some common mistakes that a trainer could make? What is diversity? There are several definitions of diversity that exists in literature. Some definitions range from narrow to very broad. Those that are narrow tend to reflect the laws of affirmative action and equal employment opportunities such as race, gender, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, and disability. Broad definitions tend to include sexual preference and orientation, values, education, language, economic status, marital status, lifestyle, and beliefs (7). One example defines diversity as a... ... of Managing Diversity," The Best of the Bureaucrat (Winter 1991- 2) : 41-44. 2. Andy Ferguson, "A White Man's View on Diversity," The Public Manager (Spring 1997) : 52-54. 3. Matti Dobbs and Oliver Brown, "A Vital Link: The Supervisor's Role in Managing Diversity," The Public Manager (Summer 1997) : 53-56. 4. Audrey Mathews, "Diversity: A Principle of Human Resource Management," Public Personnel Management (Summer 1998) 27 vols. No. 2 : 175-184. 5. Matti F. Dobbs, "Managing Diversity: The Department of Energy Initiative," PublicPersonnel Management (Summer 1998) 27 vols. No. 2 : 161-173. 6. James D. Slack., "From Affirmative Action to Full Spectrum Diversity in the American Workplace," Rev. of Public Personnel Administration (Fall 1997) : 75- 87. 7. Rosemary Wentling, "Diversity Training in the Workplace," http://nerve.berkeley.edu/CW73/WIPIL.html

NIKE and Child Labor Essay examples -- Business Management

NIKE and Child Labor Nike Company started in 1984, in Portland Oregon by Tinker Hatfield, a former pole-vaulter and architect. Hatfield worked his way into the shoe industry. He got his idea from Converse’s in the early 1970’s slogan, Limousines for the Feet. In Hatfield believe our culture have a lot of interest in shoes, just as much as our culture back in the 1950’s were interested in owning cars. They began introducing their Nike shoes and products to the society by images of people and things like the production of the Nike Air Jordan. This product was named after Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is the best basketball player and biggest star at that time. In advertisement, Michael Jordan would show us a quick lay up to the goal or a fast break away from an opponent while wearing the Air Jordan. This high top basketball shoe gave an image of speed and quick moves to a younger group of viewers. With this in mind, Hatfield and associates learned that a product had to be able to have implied performance. Know Nike is doing well in the United States. The minute the market accepted their products they started looking for alternative to minimize their cost and to increase their profit. A lot of reason caused that to happen, one of them the labor cost over here in the U.S, is higher than it is in the other countries like (China, Indonesia, Vietnam†¦etc). An estimated 200 million Children around the world go to work every day. Their ages ranges between 5 and 17 years. According to the International Labor Organization, nearly 171 million children are engaged in unsafe work environment, of which 111 million are younger than 15. Some 8.4 million children are trapped in the worst forms of child labor, including slavery, t... ...ause of the cheep labor and the benefit that heir companies gain in term of profit for example the shoes cost them in labor about $1.90 a day to produce, but on the other hand it will cost them about $6.35 an hour in the US. Therefore children are trapped going to work because governments and international agencies do not put enough priority into education and because globalization without a social dimension allows crooked employers to profit from exploiting children. In my opinion I think that the International Labor Organization, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and WTO (World Trade Organization) should work hand to hand to create and in force soon kind of rules to protect these kids from this kind of iron grip. References: 1. http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/globaleconomy/children.cfm 2. http://www.american.edu/TED/nike.htm.

A Most Ambitious Experiment

Reading Log Title: A Most Ambitious Experiment Author: Mike Krath Length: 5 pages Plot – What is the short story about? Message? Hidden messages? It’s about a man named Robert who travels 20 years ahead in time to find out if he had invested his money well. He tells his wife he’ll be back in five minutes, but instead she waits for 20 years for his return. When he comes back he finds out his wife had spent all the money. He travels back in time to make sure she cannot do that again, and eventually kills her in order to check on his investment in the future and then return back five minutes before the murder. However, the future Robert kills the old Robert as soon as he arrives. Describe the setting (where does the story take place? ). Some short stories are written to highlight a special place (e. g. a city) or a special period of time (e. g. the time after the Second World War). The setting can also involve a limited group of people (social class, students etc. ). The story is set in the house of Robert and his wife. Robert goes down the basement every time he makes a time travel while his wife is waiting for him in their home, startling her when he shows up in their home 20 years later. Who is telling the story? (Who is the narrator? ) Perhaps the author has chosen a particular person to tell the story. Why? The main characters are Robert and his wife. The story is told from a third-person perspective and focus mostly on Robert’s wife as she’s is waiting for him, thinking he abandoned her. She even contacts the authorities to search for him, but after a few months the shut down the case and she legally declares him dead in order to get hold of the money he put away in a fund. What is the author’s message to the reader? Why was the story written? What is the overall meaning of the story? ) Has the story affected you? In what way(s)? I don’t know if there’s a real message behind this story. It describes much of the wife’s feelings towards Robert, as she first is worried that something had happened to him, then thinking he had abandoned her. Over the years she grows bitter and spiteful against him. Robert doesn’t seem to realize he has made her wait for 20 years and becomes angry when he finds out she spent the money. He’s also shown to take very big risks just to find out how the funds are working out: He isn’t sure of the outcome of the experiment and displays no hesitation when he kills his wife, thinking he will travel back in time before he could do that. However his plan backfires and he’s killed by his future self. Rating – give the short story a grade from 1-5 and motivate the grade, why was it good or bad? I’d give this story a rating of three. It isn’t badly written, but the story isn’t very engaging. The author could have described in more detail the feelings of the wife, or went more in-depth with Robert and the description of his character and motivations. I like the time-travelling theme and the ending, which is somewhat humorous although tragic. Vocabulary – pick five words from one or several short stories and explain them in English. 1. scowl – frown, bitter expression 2. muddled – â€Å"her mind was muddled†, i. e. â€Å"she was confused† 3. ambitious – desire for success and achievment 4. grubby – dirty or filthy 5. inquire – investigate, inspect

Of Mice and Men †5 Diary Entries Essay

We travelled from Weed today. God damn bus driver dropped us off ‘least 10 miles from the ranch and told me it was just down the road. God if I see that damn driver I’d break his neck. Me and Lennie found a nice place to sleep for the night. If Lennie hadn’t been so God damn stupid we’d still be up in Weed rollin in the cash but Lennie had to do somethin’ wrong didn’t he, dumb bastard, jst like he always does. Every thing was goin; O.K in Weed and I’ll be damned if we can find a better place than that to work at. I sure hope Lennie don’t go grabbin’ no other girls just to feel a damn dress. I’ll never be able to fix up a stake if that dumb bastard stays dumb forever. I love Lennie but it’s hard movin’ from ranch to ranch with him there all the time. I’ve told him if he gets in any more trouble to come back to this very spot in the brush. Lennie sure is stupid, earlier he was carrying a dead mouse just to pet it. I dont know what i’m gonna do with him every time he gets upset I have to tell him that dumb story about the house where we will have rabbits and an alfalfa patch and he can pet the stupid rabbits. Who knows maybe one day that dream might come true but I don see that day coming soon. Diary Entry 2 Me and Lennie met a few people today. There was this old guy called candy and he’s got a stinkin’ old dog. He’s quit a nice fella though he told me about Curley and his wife. I met Curley just a bit after that convisation with Candy, he came in asking for his wife. He had a go at Lennie for no god damn reason at all. Candy reckons it’s just coz Lennie’s bigger than him. Curly’s one of those small guys who hates big guys, but he better not pick on Lennie coz Lennie may be dumb but hell he’s strong as a bull Earlier I was angry with Lennie coz he spoke infront of the boss when i told him not to.I had to tell the boss a few lies because he realised that Lennie was dumb and the boss wanted to know if I was hangin’ round with him to take his pay check off him at the end of the month.I told him that me and Lennie were cousins so tha is why we hung round together, good job that ain’t true coz if I was any relation to Lennie i’d kill myself. I met a real nice guy today called slim. He introduced me to everyone workin’ at the ranch and he thought it was good to see two guys like me and Lennie hangin’ round together coz he said that you don’t often see two guys hangin’round together. Although I’m gettin’ on O.K at the ranch with all the other guys and stuff, I cant help thinkin’ about the chance of Lennie and Curley gettin’ into a fight coz Curley was real mean to Lennie earlier. If Curley tries to start a fight with Lennie then Lennie gonna have to smash him back. I know that Lennie would never mean to cause any trouble but if Curley starts i’m gonna let Lennie fight back coz guys like Curley need to be taught a lesson. I ain’t sittin’ back and watching Curley beat up Lennie coz that ain’t right. Curley’s wife worries me aswell coz Lennie really likes her and he could get into real trouble if he does somethin’ like in Weed. Candy told me that she always eyein’ all the guys up. The thing that really gets to me is that Curley’s wife might give Lennie the eye and he might do somethin’ stupid, I just hope he doesn’t. Diary Entry 3. Today Candy was listenin’ in on me and Lennie havin’ a chat, normally I don’t like people listenin’ in on me but Candy had somethin’ interesting to say. He wanted to join the little dream me and Lennie ‘ave got of gettin’ our own little place and land and a few crops an’ animals. He’s got $350 to help buy the land. Since he aint no harm and he’s probabally gonna die soon we decided to let him come. The dream that was just a dream is now comin’ to reality just coz that old man Candy. Im gonna get hold of those old people an’ tell ’em im gonna buy the house, at the end of the month we will have $450 and then I’d keep workin’ on the ranch to pay off the rest. One day soon we might just be able to do it. We couldd get the little place of our own with a few acres of land and crops to grow, and rabbits coz Lennie’s always on about how he will tend the rabbits. Of course most guys dont believe us bout the dream coz i bet they had dreams just like us and watched ’em fall apart loads of times. This whole idea of our own land has made Candy have a bit of hope, poor bastard, Carlson shot his dog last night to put it out of misery, I mean it was old, smelly & decrepid it was for the best. Slim offered him one of his new pups, Slim also gave a pup to Lennie which was really nice of him. Lennies pretty dumb and he loves petting things I hope he jus’ dont do nothin’ stupid like on our last job and blow the chances of the house. Diary Entery 4. I new somethin’ bout that Curley couldn’t help but pick a fight with Lennie. Lennie hadn’t done nothin’ wrong either, he was standin’ there smilin’, thinkin’ bout our dream an’ Curley came in the bunk house in a mood an’ seen Lennie laughin’ and he socked him right in the chops and hittin’ and hittin’ him, Lennie was jus’ standin’ there takin’ it. So I told Lennie to fight back so Lennie grabbed hold of Curley’s fist and started crushin’ it like a tin can, Curley was floppin’ like a fish, Lennie must of broke every bone in his damn hand. Thanks to Slim we shouldn’t get canned coz he made it pretty clear to Curley that if he told anyone how this happened he would say how easily Lennie crushed his hand. Curley agreed not to tell anyone, so hopefully all that is all settled. I thought that would of ended our chance of the dream. Diary Entry 5. I was right in what i did wasn’t I? If they caught Lennie they would strap him up in a cage in one of those nut houses. It was the right thing to do! If Curley had caught him he would of tortured him and made him die a slow death. Atleast when i shot him he was happy and peaceful thinkin’ about the dream and not scared. Now Lennies gone im gonna be just like any other ranch worker, lonely and without a loving friend, it’s gonna take me a while to come to terms with what i’ve done, killed my only and best friend. Me and Candy aint gonna carry on with the dream, theres jus’ no point Lennie was the life and soul of the dream now he’s gone so has the dream. No doubt Candy will be upset and miserable but there ain’t nothin’ I can do about that. Slim and Carlson took me for a drink and told me that it wasn’t my fault and that I had to do it, I guess they’re right after all it was me or Curley and I ain’t lettin Curley touch Lennie. I probably gonna move on to a different ranch and carry on workin’ somewhere else alone.

The Scope and Challenge of International Marketing

Chapter 01 The Scope and Challenge of International Marketing True / False Questions 1. (p. 3) Global commerce thrives during peacetime. TRUE Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 2. (p. 4) To date, the lesson for international commerce in the 21st century is â€Å"expect the unexpected. † TRUE Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 3. (p. 5) Today, every American business is international. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 4. (p. 5) One event that will influence the shape of international business as the future unfolds is the rapid growth of the World Trade Organization, NAFTA, and the European Union.TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 5. (p. 5) One event that will influence the shape of international business as the future unfolds is the unprecedented acceptance of communism and socialism in Latin America. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 6. (p. 5) A trend that will impact international business in the future is a mandate to properly manage the resou rces and global environment. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 7. (p. 5) Today, most business activities are local or regional in scope. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge . (p. 6, Crossing Borders 1. 1) What do French farmers, Chinese fishermen, and Russian hackers have in common–they can all receive subsidy payments from the U. S. government. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 9. (p. 6) Foreign-made products remain a small portion of all consumer products sold in the United States. FALSE Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 10. (p. 8) U. S. companies compete with global competitors in foreign markets and have little competition in domestic markets from global competitors. FALSE Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 11. (p. , Exhibit 1. 2) The leading U. S. multinational with foreign revenues of $345 billion plus annually is Wal-Mart. TRUE Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 12. (p. 9) International marketing is the performance of business activities designed to plan, price, promote, and direct the flow of a company's goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a profit. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 13. (p. 9-10) A good illustration of an uncontrollable variable that might impact international business is a marketing decision with respect to research.FALSE Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 14. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) The foreign uncontrollable environment is the same as the domestic uncontrollable environment. FALSE Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 15. (p. 12) The level of technology is an uncontrollable element for international marketers. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 16. (p. 14) The political and legal environment is a controllable element for international marketers because of the ability to lobby and influence legislation. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 7. (p. 14) In a broad sense, the uncontrollable elements of the foreign business environment constitute the culture. TRUE Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 18. (p. 15) John refuses to buy Japanese products because he sees them as a way of selling out to nation known for its aggressive behavior. John is using a self-reference criterion to make his decision. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 19. (p. 15) A self-reference criterion is closely related to ethnocentrism. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 20. (p. 5) Sam Watkins just recently ate and, therefore, feels justified in refusing food from his Middle Eastern host. In this instance, Sam's self-reference criterion has just saved him from making a cultural blunder. FALSE Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 21. (p. 16) To avoid errors in business decisions, it is necessary to conduct a cross-cultural analysis that emphasizes the need for ethnocentrism. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 22. (p. 17) To be globally aware, you should be tolerant of cultural differences. TRUE Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 23. ( p. 7) To be globally aware, you should require that all of your international customers know about your cultural rules and adhere strictly to each one. FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 24. (p. 18) If a company is in a stage designated as being one with â€Å"no direct foreign marketing,† the company does not actively cultivate customers outside national boundaries. TRUE Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 25. (p. 20) Of all the stages in international business, a stage called â€Å"regular foreign marketing† produces the most profound change in the orientation of the company toward markets and associated planning activities.FALSE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 26. (p. 22) If a company uses a strategic orientation called domestic market extension, it views its international operations as secondary to and an extension of its domestic operations. TRUE Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 27. (p. 22-23) The global marketing concept views the marketplace as consisting of one primary domestic market that is complimented by several smaller regional markets. FALSE Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge Multiple Choice Questions 28. (p. 3) International __________ play an important role in promoting global peace and prosperity.A. foreign aid and treaties B. competition and consumer spending C. trade and marketing D. consumer and industrial services Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 29. (p. 4) According to the text, all of the following events have impacted international business EXCEPT: A. the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 B. the high-tech bust of 2001. C. the steroids in major league sports scandal D. 2003 SARS outbreak in Asia. E. September 11, 2001 disasters. Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 30. (p. 5) Of all the events and trends affecting global business today, four stand out as the most dynamic.Which of the following would be one of those events? A. The trend toward buying American cars in Europe. B. The trend toward the acceptance of t he free market system among developing countries in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. C. The trend toward using English as the global language. D. The trend toward establishing a world currency. E. The trend toward worldwide instant communication. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 31. (p. 5) All of the following events and trends are among the four major trends described in the chapter as having a major impact or effect on global business EXCEPT: A. he trend toward the acceptance of the free market system among developing countries in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. B. the rapid growth of the World Trade Organization and regional free trade areas such as NAFTA and the European Union. C. the burgeoning impact of the Internet and other global media on the dissolution of national borders. D. the trend toward decreasing OPEC profits as oil reserves decline in the 21st century. E. the mandate to properly manage the resources and global environment for the generatio ns to come.Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 32. (p. 5-6) Strategic plans that are competitive in global markets are _____. A. the challenge of international marketing B. expanded domestic marketing plans C. not necessary for small firms D. multilingual and multicultural in scope Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 33. (p. 5) Every American company is international, at least to the extent that: A. Federal law requires all corporations to outsource whenever it is cost-effective. B. the Internet generates orders for all American businesses from abroad. C. ts business performance is affected by events that occur abroad. D. natural disasters create a greater global community. E. all of the above. Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 34. (p. 5) Simi Khan wants to move his business into the international arena as quickly as possible; however, to be successful he must consider a variety of factors that have global dimensions. Which of the following factors would be most important to Simi Khan' s computer technology business as he moves forward with his global expansion plans? A. Electricity usage around the world. B.The drive toward a more ergonomic workplace. C. Communication and technology networks in third-world countries. D. Restrictions on advertising in Russia. E. Increasing licensing fees in Spain and Portugal. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 35. (p. 7) Foreign investment in the United States is growing yearly. At present, foreign investment in the United States is in excess of $16. 3 ______________. A. trillion B. million C. billion D. thousand E. cannot be determined. The government does not track foreign investment. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 36. (p. ) Companies from ____________________ lead in foreign investment in the United States: A. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia B. Russia C. China D. United Kingdom E. Canada Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 37. (p. 7) Foreign investment is a two-way street. An organization (through investment and acquisition) fr om which of the following countries now controls all United Kingdom rail freight business and runs the queen's private train via its English, Welsh, & Scottish Railway unit? A. Germany B. Switzerland C. United States D. Canada E. Netherlands Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 38. (p. 9, Exhibit 1. ) Many U. S. firms do exceedingly well in the global arena. Which of the following organizations is considered to be the U. S. leader with global revenues approximated at $345 billion annually? A. IBM B. ExxonMobil C. Ford Motor D. Wal-Mart E. Hewlett-Packard Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 39. (p. 9) For firms venturing into international marketing for the first time, the first requirement is: A. employment of foreign nationals in target foreign markets. B. a thorough and complete commitment to foreign markets. C. obtain market data from consulate of the country being targeted.D. an assessment of the cost of doing business in the foreign market. E. performance reviews of all potential salespeople being considered for foreign assignment. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 40. (p. 9) ___________ is the performance of business activities designed to plan, price, promote, and direct the flow of a company's goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a profit. A. Global management B. Global business C. Marketing D. International marketing E. Global marketing concept Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 41. (p. ) The performance of business activities designed to plan, price, promote, and direct the flow of a company's goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a profit is called: A. global management. B. global business. C. marketing. D. the global marketing concept. E. international marketing. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 42. (p. 9) The only difference between the definitions of domestic marketing and international marketing is that marketing activities: A. focus on consumers in domestic markets and bartere rs in foreign markets. B. take place in more than one country.C. follow traditional communication paths in domestic markets. D. focus on distribution in the domestic market. E. are usually non-regulated in foreign markets. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 43. (p. 9) According to the text, the primary difference in the practice of marketing at the domestic versus the international level is: A. the environment within which the marketing plans must be implemented. B. the revenues necessary to be successful. C. the demand charts available to the marketer. D. the control over the budget. E. the accountability of board of directors. Difficulty: HardType: Comprehension 44. (p. 9) With respect to the environment in which a business operates, such factors as competition, legal restrains, government controls, and the weather would all be examples of what are called: A. controllable elements. B. uncontrollable elements. C. predictable elements. D. demographic elements. E. cultural elem ents. Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 45. (p. 9-10) All of the following would be considered to be controllable elements of marketing decisions EXCEPT: A. product. B. price. C. promotion. D. research. E. government regulations. Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 46. (p. 1, Exhibit 1. 3) Considering the model of the international marketing task displayed in the text, which of the following reasons demonstrates the most important difference between the international marketer's task and that of the domestic marketer? A. The international marketer must deal with at least two levels of uncontrollable uncertainty instead of one. B. The international marketer must rely on at least two levels of controllable certainty instead of one. C. The international marketer is never certain about supply or demand. D. The international marketer is never certain about total market size.E. The international marketer must be aware of international monetary exchange rates. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Compreh ension 47. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) Robert Jonas is in charge of a new marketing effort directed toward Peru. In order for his company to effectively market and distribute to all of Peru's major cities, Mr. Jonas must devise a logistics plan for crossing the Andes Mountains on a daily basis. Which of the following foreign environment uncontrollable variables would be a chief concern as Mr. Jonas devises his plan? A. Competitive forces B. Cultural forces C.Geography and infrastructure D. Economic forces E. Political/legal forces Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 48. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) Compared to the foreign environment uncontrollable variables, which of the following elements is excluded from the domestic marketer's list of uncontrollable variables? A. Political forces B. Competitive structure C. Economic climate D. Cultural forces E. Legal forces. Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 49. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) All of the following would be among the domestic marketer's controll able environmental variables EXCEPT: A. esearch. B. price. C. product. D. channels of distribution. E. economic climate. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 50. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) All of the following appear as a foreign environment uncontrollable variable in the model of the international marketing task shown in the text EXCEPT: A. economic forces. B. competitive forces. C. product demand forces. D. cultural forces. E. political/legal forces. Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 51. (p. 10) Amy Sims has been assigned the task of preparing a marketing plan for company for the next year's business activities.She knows that she should begin her plan by examining the variables that she has some control over. These controllable variables would include price, product, channels-of-distribution, and: A. demand. B. supply. C. competition. D. economic climate. E. promotion. Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 52. (p. 10) A political decision involving _______________ would most likely have a direct effect on a firm's international marketing success. A. domestic foreign policy B. immigration reform C. oil exploration policy D. FCC satellite regulations E. FAA airline regulations Difficulty: ModerateType: Knowledge 53. (p. 11) Which of the following would be a chief way that U. S. companies attempt to influence domestic foreign policy? A. A company could lobby with respect to its own interests. B. A company could attempt to bribe elected officials to influence policy decisions. C. A company could ask a foreign government to bring pressure on U. S. legislative bodies. D. A company could threaten to withdraw operations from foreign markets. E. A company could threaten to move its corporate headquarters to a foreign market. Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 54. (p. 2) Competition within the home country can have a profound effect on the international marketer's task. Which of the following BEST illustrates this statement? A. Boeing recently opened talks with its primary trade union to avoid a forecasted strike. B. Microsoft and Dell have jointly invested $700 million in a new venture to investigate high technology of the future. C. Fuji opened a $300 million plant in the U. S. and now commands a 12 percent share of the lucrative U. S. film market. D. Several name companies are still under investigation because of the Enron scandal.E. Declaration of independence by Baltic States after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 55. (p. 12) With respect to challenges faced by the international marketer, a significant source of uncertainty is the number of factors in the: A. foreign environment controllables. B. foreign environment uncontrollables. C. domestic environment controllables. D. parallel environment uncontrollables. E. parallel environment controllables. Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 56. (p. 12) Ralph Waite has just been assigned the task of reviewing his ompany's international investment opportunities. He knows that his view of the list of opportunities should be tempered by foreign environment uncontrollables that might be encountered. Which of the following would be the BEST illustration of a foreign environmental uncontrollable that Mr. Waite should investigate? A. A country's level of technology. B. Pricing policies in the foreign country. C. The ability to do research in the foreign country. D. Manufacturing capabilities in the foreign country. E. The ability to do advertising in the foreign country. Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 57. (p. 2) The _____________ is an uncontrollable element that can often be misread because of the vast differences that may exist between developed and undeveloped countries. A. Structure of distribution B. competitive forces C. economic forces D. political/legal forces E. level of technology Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 58. (p. 13) The _____________ and issues abroad are often amplified by the â€Å"alien status† of the company, whi ch increases the difficulty of properly assessing and forecasting the dynamic international business climate. A. structure of distribution B. competitive forces C. economic forces D. olitical/legal forces E. level of technology Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 59. (p. 13) Which of the following would be the BEST illustration of the â€Å"alien status† found in the political and legal arena that sometimes cause problems for international marketers as they attempt to do business in foreign countries? A. A company in the U. K. recently purchased Ben & Jerry's ice cream operations. B. The Indian government told Coca-Cola that it must reveal its â€Å"secret formula† if it wished to continue do business in India. C. Richard Branson's Virgin Cola was not widely accepted in the United States. D.French Canadians prefer French to English when conducting business in Canada. E. British Airlines and Japan Airlines join American Airlines to form OneWorld Alliance. Difficulty: M oderate Type: Application 60. (p. 14) Global businesses must be willing to adjust and adapt a marketing program to a foreign market. In a broad sense, the environmental uncontrollable elements constitute the: A. problem. B. opportunity. C. culture. D. marketplace. E. commerce landscape. Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 61. (p. 14) The task of ____________ is the most challenging and important one confronting international marketers.A. care for the environment B. dealing with politics C. international standardization D. cultural adjustment E. international branding Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 62. (p. 14) Which of the following would be the BEST example to illustrate the fact that international marketers need to make cultural adjustments as they seek to do business abroad? A. In America, white is an accepted color for wedding gowns; in Asia it is the color of mourning. B. Many teens earn extra income by working. C. Women out number men in the United States. D. Most Mi ddle Eastern women do not work outside the home. E.Many European nations require a period of national service for youth. Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 63. (p. 15) ____________ is the conscious effort on the part of the international marketer to anticipate the influences of both the foreign and domestic uncontrollable factors on a marketing mix and then adjust the marketing mix to minimize the effects. A. Standardization B. Adaptation C. Segregation D. Segmentation E. Projection Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 64. (p. 15) The primary obstacles to success in international marketing are a person's _________ and an associated ethnocentrism. A. egionalism B. holism C. self-reference criterion D. segregation E. integration Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 65. (p. 15) _____________ is an unconscious reference to one's own cultural values, experiences, and knowledge as a basis for decisions. A. Regionalism B. Holism C. Self-reference criterion D. Segregation E. Xenophobia Diff iculty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 66. (p. 15) In the United States, unrelated individuals keep a certain physical distance between themselves and others when talking or in groups. We do not consciously think about that distance; we just know what feels right without thinking.Someone from another culture would not necessarily understand this and would apply their own rules for contact when speaking. The preceding is an illustration of what is called applying a ___________ when reviewing the mentioned social custom of contact. A. self-space B. segregation C. integration D. space command theory E. self-reference criterion (SRC) Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 67. (p. 15) Your ____________ can prevent you from being aware that there are cultural differences or from recognizing the importance of those differences. A. self-space B. personality C. demographic character D. elf-reference criterion (SRC) E. concept of integration Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 68. (p. 16) The most effective way to control the influence of ethnocentrism and __________ is to recognize their effects on our behavior. A. the self-reference criterion (SRC) B. regionalism C. tunnel vision D. standardization E. xenophobia Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 69. (p. 17) To avoid errors in business decisions, it is necessary to conduct a cross-cultural analysis that isolates the self-reference criterion influences. Which of the following would be the BEST first-step to take to avoid the aforementioned errors?A. Redefine the problem without the SRC influence. B. Solve the problem for the optimum business goal situation. C. Isolate the SRC influence in the problem and examine it carefully to see how it complicates the problem. D. Define the business problem or goal in home-country cultural traits, habits, or norms. E. Define the business problem or goal in foreign-country cultural traits, habits, or norms through consultation with natives of the target country. Difficulty: Hard Type: A pplication 70. (p. 17) Which of the following steps in a cross-cultural analysis to solate self-reference criterion influences would finalize the process and lead to a solution of the problem? A. Redefine the problem without the SRC influence and solve the problem for the optimal business goal situation. B. Isolate the SRC influence in the problem and examine it carefully to see how it complicates the problem. C. Define the business problem or goal in home-country cultural traits, habits, or norms. D. Define the business problem or goal in foreign-country cultural traits, habits, or norms through consultation with natives of the target country. E.The last step is not indicated in the list of alternatives. Difficulty: Easy Type: Application 71. (p. 17) To be globally aware, an international marketer must have all the following EXCEPT: A. a tolerance of cultural differences. B. a knowledge of cultures. C. a knowledge of history. D. a knowledge of microeconomics. E. a knowledge of worl d market potential. Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 72. (p. 17) Successful businesspeople in the twenty-first century have ___________ and a frame of reference that goes beyond a region or even a country and encompasses the world. A. a sense of fashion B. lobal awareness C. an intimate knowledge of ecological problems D. a consumer mind-set E. a pronounced skill in promotion Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 73. (p. 18) There are a variety of stages in the process of becoming involved in international marketing. Which of the following best describes the stage of development where the company's products reach a foreign market through no conscious effort on the part of the marketer? A. Infrequent foreign marketing B. Regular foreign marketing C. No direct foreign marketing D. International marketing E. Global marketing Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 4. (p. 18) If a marketer is motivated to enter into an international marketing effort because of temporary surpluses in the dom estic market, which of the following stages BEST characterizes the stage of international marketing involvement for this marketer? A. Infrequent foreign marketing B. Regular foreign marketing C. No direct foreign marketing D. International marketing E. Global marketing Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 75. (p. 19) James Bright's company seek markets all over the world and attempts to sell products that are a result of planned production for markets in various countries.Which of the following stages BEST characterizes the stage of international marketing involvement for Mr. Bright's company? A. Infrequent foreign marketing B. Regular foreign marketing C. No direct foreign marketing D. International marketing E. Global marketing Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 76. (p. 20) Maria Peron's company treats the world, including the home market in Spain, as one market. Market segmentation decisions no longer focus on national borders. Instead, market segments are defined by income l evels, usage patterns, and other factors that span countries and regions.Which of the following stages BEST characterizes the stage of international marketing involvement for Ms. Peron's company? A. Infrequent foreign marketing B. Regular foreign marketing C. No direct foreign marketing D. International marketing E. Global marketing Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 77. (p. 22) If a company basically sees the process of international marketing as one where the domestic company seeks a sales extension of its domestic products into foreign markets, the company is using which of the following concepts to formulate its international policies and strategies?A. Domestic market extension concept B. Multidomestic market concept C. Global marketing concept D. Universal marketing concept E. Standardized marketing concept Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 78. (p. 22) The Ajax Corporation has decided to enter the international marketing arena by marketing its products on a country-by-co untry basis, with separate marketing strategies for each country. The company is using which of the following concepts to formulate its international policies and strategies? A. Domestic market extension concept B. Multidomestic market conceptC. Global marketing concept D. Universal marketing concept E. Standardized marketing concept Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 79. (p. 22-23) A company using the ________________ views an entire set of country markets as a unit, identifying groups of prospective buyers with similar needs as an opportunity market segment and develops a marketing plan that strives for standardization wherever it is cost and culturally effective. A. domestic market extension concept B. multidomestic market concept C. global marketing concept D. universal marketing concept E. tandardized marketing concept Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension Fill in the Blank Questions 80. (p. 3) _____________ commerce thrives during peacetime. Global (or international) Diff iculty: Easy Type: Knowledge 81. (p. 7) ___________ (country) leads in foreign investment in the United States. The United Kingdom Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 82. (p. 9, Exhibit 1. 2) Among the top ten players in the global game of commerce, __________ (company) leads the pack with $345 billion in revenues coming from global markets. Wal-Mart Difficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 83. (p. ) ___________ marketing is the performance of business activities designed to plan, price, promote, and direct the flow of a company's goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a profit. International Difficulty: Easy Type: Knowledge 84. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) Domestic marketing elements as price, product, promotion, channels of distribution, and research are called ____________ elements. controllable Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 85. (p. 15) A person's self-reference criterion is often associated with an associated term called ________. ethnocentrism Difficulty: ModerateType: Knowledge 86. (p. 15) A person's ________________ is an unconscious reference to one's own cultural values, experiences, and knowledge as a basis for decisions. self-reference criterion (SRC) Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 87. (p. 17) The successful businessperson in the twenty-first century has global _____________ and a frame of reference that goes beyond a region or even a country and encompasses the world. awareness Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 88. (p. 20) At the __________ marketing level, companies treat the world, including their home market, as one market. globalDifficulty: Hard Type: Knowledge 89. (p. 23) The global _____________ views an entire set of country markets as a unit, identifying groups of prospective buyers with similar needs as a global market segment. marketing concept Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge Essay Questions 90. (p. 3) Global commerce thrives in peacetime. Explain why this statement is true. Economic booms often oc cur as the world finds itself at peace. Resources go toward research and technology rather than â€Å"war machines. † Peace brings renewed efforts to negotiate and trade. Barriers generally come down between nations.Nations enter into partnerships and alliances that foster trade. Individual companies are willing to take greater investment risks when peacetime is blooming. Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 91. (p. 4) Provide examples of events and issues that contribute to uncertainty in the international marketing environment. Answers will vary but may include any of the issues discussed on page 4 including, terrorism, growth of the U. S. balance of payments deficit, conflicts between the U. S. and China, predictions of collapse in U. S. consumer spending and housing markets. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 92. (p. ) List and briefly describe the four events or trends described in the text that have shaped international business beyond today's bumpy roads and into the future. The events or trends are: (1) the rapid growth of the World Trade Organization and regional free trade areas such as NAFTA and the EU; (2) the trend toward the acceptance of the free market system among developing countries in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe; (3) the burgeoning impact of the Internet and other global media on the dissolution of national borders; and, (4) the mandate to properly manage the resources and global environment for the generations to come.Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 93. (p. 6) Joan Wilson owns a small software company, SecureSoft, that specializes in home network security. The company has been in business for 5 years and its sales have grown rapidly. Last year the company began offering international versions (multilanguage) of its software. SecureSoft sells its products through a network of software distributors. However, recently Ms. Wilson has become concerned that Russian software hackers have produced pirated copies of th e company's leading software. Explain how the Russian hackers disrupt SecureSoft's international marketing efforts.SecureSoft international marketing efforts will now have to take into account the lost of sales/profits due to the pirated software. Virtually all components of marketing will likely be impacted. Marketing will have to consider product modifications to preclude prirating efforts, a change in distribution to direct sales, and other software protection schemes. In addition, special advertisement and promotion may be required to promote the security-enhanced products. These efforts to protect is software against piracy come at a cost which means that software retail prices will increase. Difficulty: ModerateType: Application 94. (p. 9) Define international marketing. International marketing is the performance of business activities designed to plan, price, promote, and direct the flow of a company's goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a pro fit. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 95. (p. 10-12, Exhibit 1. 3) List and briefly discuss the domestic environment uncontrollable elements found in the model that describes the international marketing task. The domestic environmental uncontrollable elements include political/legal forces, competitive structure, and the economic climate.For a brief discussion of each element see pages10-12. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 96. (p. 11, Exhibit 1. 3) List and briefly comment on the elements found in a company's domestic controllable environment. The elements include price, product, promotion, channels of distribution, and research. For more information see page 10. Difficulty: Easy Type: Comprehension 97. (p. 10-14, Exhibit 1. 3) Explain the differences between the domestic environment uncontrollable elements and the foreign environment uncontrollable elements. According to information presented in the text and in Exhibit 1. , the domestic environmental uncontrollable ele ments include the political/legal forces, competitive structure, and the economic climate. The foreign environment is more inclusive with the following elements political/legal forces, economic forces, competitive forces, level of technology, structure of distribution, geography and infrastructure, and cultural forces. For additional information on differences see pages 10-14. Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 98. (p. 14-15) To be an effective international marketer, why is it necessary to master cultural adjustment? Explain.The marketers must adjust their marketing efforts to cultures to which they are not attuned. In dealing with unfamiliar markets, marketers must be aware of frames of reference they are using in making their decisions or evaluating the potential of a market. As an illustration, the story goes that two shoe salesmen report back to their companies after making a survey trip to an impoverished portion of Africa. One salesman says, â€Å"There is no market for sh oes–no one has any money–poverty is everywhere. † The other shoe salesman (representing world famous Bata Shoe Company) says, â€Å"Great news everybody needs shoes. Bata leads the world in selling shoes to third-world countries. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 99. (p. 15) Explain the concept of the self-reference criterion (SRC). SRC is an unconscious reference to one's own cultural values, experiences, and knowledge as a basis for decisions. The concept is closely associated with ethnocentrism. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Knowledge 100. (p. 16) To avoid errors in business decisions, it is necessary to conduct a cross-cultural analysis that isolates the self-reference criterion influences.List the four steps that make up the framework for such an analysis. The steps are: (1) define the business problem or goal in home-country cultural traits, habits, or norms; (2) define business problem or goal in foreign-country cultural traits, habits, or norms throu gh consultation with natives of the target country–make no value judgments; (3) isolate the SRC influence in the problem and examine it carefully to see how it complicates the problem; and, (4) redefine the problem without the SRC influence and solve for the optimum business goal situation.Difficulty: Hard Type: Comprehension 101. (p. 17) In order for a company to be globally aware, the company must do what two things (according to the text)? The company must (1) have a tolerance for cultural differences and (2) have knowledge of cultures, history, world market potential, and global economic, social, and political trends. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 102. (p. 23) With respect to a strategic orientation to conducting international marketing, describe the global marketing concept.The global marketing concept views an entire set of country markets (whether the home market and only 1 other country, or the home market and 100 other countries) as a unit, identifying gro ups of prospective buyers with similar needs as a global market segment and developing a marketing plan that strives for standardization wherever it is cost and culturally effective. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Comprehension 103. (p. 5) Rick Russell owns a small company that specializes in waste cleanup on the high seas. He believes that his company can grow dramatically if he can find foreign partners and investors.According to the events and trends cited in the text as affecting global business today, which of these trends would have the most impact on Mr. Russell's business? Explain your rationale. After reviewing the trends, the trend that is most likely to affect Russell's operation is the fourth trend–the mandate to properly manage the resources and global environment for the generation to come. Students should supply their own rationale. If another trend is chosen, it should be explained, characterized, and justified. Difficulty: Moderate Type: Application 04. (p. 11, E xhibit 1. 3) Scott Web Services has decided to go international with their new anti-spam software. Using the International Marketing Task model shown in the text, discuss which factors will impact Scott Web Services the most as it gears up to pursue international expansion. To effectively answer this question, students must be familiar with Exhibit 1. 3. Students can comment on the inner ring (domestic controllables), middle ring (domestic environment [uncontrollables]), and the outer ring (foreign environment [uncontrollables]).Students should focus on the technological aspects of the company, political/legal forces, competitive forces, and cultural forces that might impact the company. Students can be creative with this answer; therefore, you might wish to establish ground rules or guidelines. Difficulty: Hard Type: Application 105. (p. 15-17) You are about to eat at a friend's house for dinner. However, your friend is from a foreign country and you are sure that his family will h ave prepared an ethnic meal for you.Explain how your self-reference criterion (SRC) might cause you problems with your upcoming new experience. What should do about this? This example is created to stimulate students into thinking about how that their own â€Å"cultural baggage† can sometimes make a new experience frightening. Eating strange food among â€Å"foreigners† is a common occurrence. Stimulate students think about what SRC is and how it can either hinder or help a relationship. For additional information on SRC, see pages 15-18. Difficulty: Easy Type: Application