Thursday, October 31, 2019

Partition as a Solution to Ethnic Civil Wars Term Paper

Partition as a Solution to Ethnic Civil Wars - Term Paper Example Such feelings are never in favor of a country because they start destroying the foundations of the country slowly and gradually. When a group of people starts feeling unprivileged as compared to other people, they raise their voice against the government officials and the government’s discriminating policies, which results in starting a civil war. Kirschner, in an article states, â€Å"Individuals are more likely to continue fighting once a war begins, foreseeing severely restricted opportunities, if not annihilation, under the current state†. The best way to deal with such kinds of problems is to negotiate with the ethnic groups in order to know their concerns. If a government becomes unable to satisfy the people properly, chances of conflicts start increasing in the country, which leads the country towards many problems, such as, demand for separation or partition within the state. Chapman and Roeder state, â€Å"Partition is more likely than alternative institutiona l arrangements—specifically, unitarism, de facto separation, and autonomy arrangements—to preserve the peace and facilitate democratization† (677-691). ... Partition is one of the strategies to terminate all sorts of ethnic wars in a country. When government do not find any other way to the solution of the problems, it starts thinking of partition within the state in order to let the ethnic groups live their life on their own. However, it is never an easy decision for any government because partition destroys the autonomy and power of the government of the country. Partitions not only affect the political structure and but also affect the control of central government. Apart from these disadvantages of partition, there are several advantages of partition for the ethnic groups. Let us discuss some of the most considerable benefits in some detail in order to get a better understanding of how partitions terminate the possibility of ethnic civil wars in a country. Solution to Ethnic Wars Partitions are a good solution to the end of ethnic wars. Ethnic conflicts give rise to many problems for a country. They not only destabilize the economy of a country but also disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the whole nation. Ethnic conflicts arise when a group of people belonging to some specific culture or society start feeling unprivileged and ignored by the government. Such groups raise their voice to stop discrimination and unfairness against minorities and to give full protection to their rights. When a government fails to fulfill the demands of the ethnic groups, they start movements and strikes against the government. It acts as the starting point towards partition. Such groups start demanding a separate nation or a separate place where they can live their lives independently and in accordance with their cultures. In history, there are many examples in which different movements against the governments

Monday, October 28, 2019

American monopolies Essay Example for Free

American monopolies Essay This short article by Douglas A. McIntyre paints a very good picture of how many of the American Technologies companies are pure monopolies within this industry. McIntyre opens this article by saying â€Å"A monopoly is either what the government says it is or what a dominant company’s competitors claim. The Governments opinion is the only one that counts†¦. † (McIntyre, 2012). McIntyre then mentioned that there was this Act that prohibits businesses from activities that are found to be anticompetitive that is called the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act. After seeing this, I was curious of what was the true meaning behind this Act and after a few searches I found that according to Wikipedia, â€Å"The Sherman Antitrust Act is a landmark federal statute on United States competition law passed by Congress in 1890. It prohibits certain business activities that federal government regulators deem to be anticompetitive, and requires the federal government to investigate and pursue trusts, companies, and organizations suspected of being in violation. It was the first federal statute to limit cartels and monopolies, and today still forms the basis for most antitrust litigation by the United States federal government. † (Wikipedia 2013). After learning that such Act is in place, I now see why there are not very many true monopolies, meaning that they own 100% of the market and how the government has a say in how companies are ran. In my opinion, I honestly feel that is a very beneficial law to have in the books because it gives an entrepreneur or another business a fair chance at entering a chosen market. But on the other hand, it’d only be smart to enter a market that you honestly feel you have a chance to survive in, or you’d only be setting yourself up for failure. Anyhow, McIntyre goes on to provide a list called the â€Å"New Generation of American Monopolies† which is a list of all the biggest companies in the technology industry that control the markets in their respective produce. Not to my surprise of the many big names on this list, in which most reside in the Silicon Valley like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Intel, Apple and even Paypal. Most of these are more of an Oligopoly, meaning they share the market, except for one that was of a surprise to me which was Sirius XM satellite radio simply for the fact that this company was the only true monopoly and does have 100% of the market. Maybe it was just because I really never thought about Sirius having competition? But maybe I didn’t think of this because they have absolutely zero competition. After a little more research on wikipedia, I found that back in the early 2000’s there was a little competition between two different satellite companies, XM and Sirius, but due to the money that it takes to keep satellites in orbit, the two realized that the only way they’d both survive was to merge, so in 2007 they did (Wikipedia). I truly found this article really interesting because it was broke down into each product,(i. e. search engine, operations system, social media sites, digital video streaming, microchips, tablet computer and even e-readers) and then explained why each of the top companies where so dominant. Some were there because of the sheer size of their company and others made it just because they made a better produce which made for a higher demand of that produce in which pinched out the competition. To just give a few of the examples, Google controls 90. 1% of the search engine market over Yahoo and Bing, Microsoft controls 89. 7% of the windows operating systems over Mac OS X and Linux, Intel controls 80. 3% of the microchips market over AMD, and Apple iPad controls 73% of the market over Android and Samsung (McIntyre, 2012). In conclusion, with all the advancements of technologies of today, each of these companies are respectable and are at the top of their game because they are all very efficient at what they do, highly profitable, price setters, great advertisers, and have the power to control the markets. Works Cited McIntyre, Douglas A. , (22 March 2011).The New Generation of American Monopolies. 24/7 Wallstreet. Retrieved from http://247wallst. com/investing/2011/03/22/the-new-generation-of-american-monopolies/print/ Wikipedia. (2 July 2013). In Wikipedia the free encyclopedia online. Retrieved from http://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/560/10/.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Profitability And Sustainability Analysis Of Superstore Industry Marketing Essay

Profitability And Sustainability Analysis Of Superstore Industry Marketing Essay There are several framework on the financial performance have been became apparent during last couple of decades and most of them relates to social and financial performance, which are mainly associated around the corporate social responsibility and performance concept . Only few of the study emerged to evaluate financial performance and the sustainability of competitive advantage. Furthermore, most of the work has been associated with industry level but not the firm level, which is also more important to consider in the study on micro level. This is one the strong reason to investigate the firm level financial performance and the competitive advantage. However, there are some limitation related to data gathering for the industry analysis but it seems feasible to gather or access company level data and their availability. World Food Retail Overview After development in technology and policies in 1990, huge change in food industry has begun. With evolution in business globalisation, activities like mergers and acquisition has amplified which resulted growth of big players in efficient and dominant way. Globalisation also resulted an increase in tours and travel activities across the world. The expenses incurred on food and drink by a tourist is 30p on every  £1.00, as per survey conducted by regional tourist bodies of England, UK (IGD Global Retail Outlook Survey, August 2007). Among various sector, retail food sector create more value than that of others. The Organized food sector is such an area where both strong management system and sectorial operational specialization i.e. human and technology are mainly affected by large volume, Daily splitting in physical operations and lower margins, food retail in world are acumen and influenced by six basic trends: Uncertainty Variable Demographics Growth will/necessity Low Price Madness Technology Globalization It has been forecasted that the speed in retail globalization will further accelerate. In order to success, the competition between retailers and suppliers are more likely to increase in a diversified range of capability. Even though in retail sector, huge opportunities still exist, but success will depend on managing the risk and challenges at the same time by capturing the opportunities. According to IGD, In order to obtain sustainable growth, Retail Globalization has shifted its focus from flag-planting to targeted expansion. IGD conducted a survey in 12 countries where senior retailers and supplier has been questioned to derive the above statement (IGDs Global Retail Outlook Survey in August 2007), The top five supermarket companies in United Kingdom control a 50 percent share in market where as in Germany it is 60 percent and in France 90 percent (AC Nielsen). Industry Overview The top five biggest United Kingdom retailers and food selling companies influence the whole market, which are Tesco, Morrison, Sainsburys, Asda and Co-operative Group. In 2004, the whole market size was  £115 billion which includes the retailers from small shops who has store to the biggest supermarkets which have the full-scale operating chains. In 2004, Morrison ranked at 4th position among other 12 supermarkets in UK, which is illustrated below in Table (1). Whereas in 2008 February 79.4% market share captured by top 5 retailers i.e.30.9% by Tesco, 16.4% by Sainsburys, 11.6% by Morrison, 16.9% by Asda and 4.0% by Waitrose. Only 20.6% of market share has been left for others. With the above positioning Morrison can be concluded as upper-medium size food and grocery retailer in United Kingdom. Supermarket 2004 (%) 2005 (%) Aldi n/a 2.2 Asda 16.7 16.5 Co-op 4.8 n/a Iceland 2.1 1.9 Somerfield n/a 5.7* Lidl 1.8 n/a Marks and Spencer 3.5 n/a Morrison 14.6** 12.2** Netto 0.6 n/a Sainsburys 15.7 15.9 Tesco 29 29.8 Waitrose 3.5 3.7 To create portfolio, in same industry, five companies has been selected i.e. Tesco, Finsbury Food, Sainsburys, Thottons and Falkaland. In segregation, Sainsburys and Tesco are biggest supermarket, whereas Finsbury Food and Thorttons are the medium ones and Falkaland is small stores in UK. According to total asset, these portfolios almost represent the industry. Hence it is tried to increase the sample for closer representation of the population which is illustrated below in Table (2): UK Companies Size ( £) Falkland 24.25 Finsbury Food 102.60 Thorntorns 106.02 Morrison 7,370.90 Sainbarys 9,576.00 TESCO 24,775.00Table(2): the position of Morrison in the whole UKs industry according to total assets (2008) Business Drivers for sustainability strategies: There are various internal and external factors which might drives the growth in sustainability strategies in WM Morrisons and major supermarkets: Employees Communities Sustainable Product Development Competitors Green Buildings Waste Transportation and Logistics Costs Carbon Efficiency Rising Demand for Certified Products Expectation for Reporting and Performance Measurement Product Safety The above mentioned drivers are the key to change the retail sectors outlooks and providing competitive benefit to the retailers in terms of sustainability performance. Furthermore, competitive benefit can be drive by working with more innovative solution provider; brand owner and supply chain partners, which leads to reduce the cost the increases efficiency. Apart from above factors, supermarkets have already implemented a number of growth/sustainability strategies to achieve high growth. These are: Increasing focus into own label products. Expansion by organic growth and acquisition Convenience Sector Expansion Focus into nonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ food items Graph 1 : Profit Margins of UK Supermarkets About Wm Morrison Supermarkets With acquisition of larger rival Safeway plc., Wm Morrison Supermarkets moved up in UK food chain. Founded in 1899, from 125 stores Wm Morrison runs approximately 425 stores in England and Scotland. It has already made a history beating UK supermarket giants like Tesco (the UKs No. 1 food retailer) and ASDA (Wal-Mart owned supermarket) in high concentrated acquisition battle. Through its Market Street specialty, Morrisons offer various food and non-food items. Morrison sell gas about 290 locations. With acquisition of Safeway, Wm Morrison enhanced its market presence with more than 12% share of grocery market. Aim of the Study The aim of this research is based on two objectives. The first objective is to examine the profitability of the WM Morrison within the superstore industry context in the UK market and secondly to examine the firms sustainability of competitive advantage on retail performance. Preliminary Literature Review The analysis of firm profitability is a bit difficult task because the majority of the performance indicator models focus on the success of various key financial indicators i.e. return on investment (ROI), return on assets (ROA) or return on capital employed (ROCE). These performance indicator models have been disapproved or criticized due to lack in the multiple dimensional approach of the performance as well as the its competitive advantages to organizations growth (Brignall and Ballantine, 1996). There are number of studies (Dawson,2005; Dess and Robinson,1984; Reynolds et al.,2005; Venkatraman and Ramanujam,1986) have faced challenge to consider right variables as a financial performance indicator. The understanding of the correct information and its non-availability to the public are the most common problems (Ailawadi et al., 1995). However, a number of alternative approaches have been implemented to getting best financial performance indicator in to order to handle above discussed problems. Therefore, subjective financial indicators are designed to measure firms performance i.e managers forecast on financial performance to compare with competitors performance. Although, some financial indictors has been considered in the number of empirical study (Capon et al.,1990; Dawson, 2005; Reynolds et al., 2005), which was significantly positive with the economic models. The most frequently used profitability indicator in the various studies could be return on equity, return on sale and return on investment etc. But still it is unconcluded regarding the best financial indicators to measure retail financial performance ( Ailawadi et al.,1995; Dawson,2005; Reynolds et al., 2005).On the other hand, the most commonly used performance indicators are rates of return, gross margin (Bradley and Taylor, 1992; Dobson, 2005; Reynolds et al., 2005) and sales growth, sales revenue (Doyle and Hooley,1992; Dobson,2005; Greenley,1995; Hooley et al.,1992; Reynolds et al.,2005). The accepted distinction between competitive advantage and sustained competitive advantage is matched by a range of studies which forward and debate the factors determining the sustainability of a competitive advantage (see Coyne, 1985; Williams, 1992). Whilst many of the studies of advantage sustainability are conducted from a resource based view, Porter (1980, 1990) contributes a number of observations at a more macro level. Briefly, Porter (1980) suggests that competitive advantage can only be sustained over time if consistent strategy is developed and applied promptly. Research Objective and Data Methodology An attempt has been made in this paper to analyze the profitability and examine the sustainability of competitive advantage on retail performance of the WM Morrison during 2005 -2010. Eventually top players will be identifying on the basis of total asset in UK superstore market. To identify competitors, Lexis-Nexis and Hoovers will be used. 5 years Balance sheet and other financial data will be extracted from Thomson One banker. The profitability of Morrison will be analyzed through decomposition method in context to peer group. Statistical analysis may be conducted as a support to the thesis. After performance analysis of Morrison, Industry performance will be compared to target company performance to analyze abnormality if any in the behavior pattern and the reason behind the pattern will be scrutinized. Analysis Factors: Return on Net Operating Assets (RNOA) Net Borrowing Cost (NBC) Operating profit margin Operating Liability Leverage Financial Liability Leverage (FLEV) Asset Turnover (ATO) Return on Common Equity (ROCE) Spread However one of the main aims is to analyze the driving factors for the performance of the firm and the industry and simultaneously to discuss the sustainability strategies of the firm for the competitive advantage. Conclusion

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Macbeth - Evil And Darkness :: essays research papers

The play "Macbeth" by Shakespeare is jam-packed with malfeasance and darkness. All actions taken by Macbeth, his wife, Lady Macbeth, the witches and Hecate have immoral intentions and/or evil outcomes. An example of such is Lady Macbeth’s dark intentions to quicken Macbeth’s crowning, fuelled Macbeth’s "vaulting ambition[s]" (Act 1 scene 7 line 27) to murder anyone or anything that stood in his path of a long reign. Shakespeare often uses darkness and will frequently set the scene as a dark and stormy night. This depicts that evil happenings are occurring or are about to take place. There are at least three examples of this in "Macbeth". "The night has been unruly: where we lay,/Our chimneys were blown down; and, as they say,/Lamentings heard i’ the air; strange screams of death,..." (Act 2 scene 3 line 54-56). "Three score and ten I can remember well;/Within the volume of which time I have seen/Hours of dreadful and things strange, but this sore night/Hath trifled former knowings." (Act 2 scene 4 line 1-4). Both these quotes are talking about the night of Duncan’s death. They are showing the comparisons between the natural unruliness and the anomalous disaster. "And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp." (Act 2 scene 4 line 7) is a metaphor for both the murder of Duncan and the night in which it transpired. A dark and stormy image is also portrayed when pernicious characters (ie. the witches, Macbeth and the murderers) meet. The witches play a very important role in "Macbeth", as they initiate the evil plot. Even from the prologue we can see the witches are evil. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair:" (Act 1 scene 1 line 11). They uphold their evil status throughout the play although their power is not fully demonstrated until the prophecies come true and also later where they conjure up the three apparitions. The witches are truly evil and love evil for its own self unlike Macbeth. "Spiteful and wrathful; who. as others do,/Loves for his own ends, not for you." (Act 3 scene 5 line 12-13). Throughout the play they provide the strongest impression of evil. They are continually committing mischievous deeds, such as, "Killing swine" (Act 1 scene 3 line 2), tormenting sailors and casting spells. "Macbeth" is built upon evil and sorcery. Whether it be the witches "Double, double, toil and trouble;/Fire burn and cauldron bubble." (Act

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Physical abuse and mental abuse

Physical abuse and mental abuse exist in a lot of relationships today. Many relationships fall apart due to the level of abuse that is present in the relationship Abuse has many forms. Abuse can be physical, mental, and emotional as well. Abuse can scar a person for life and is very dangerous. It is important to identify abuse in its early stages and to combat its effect and leave the relationship immediately or seek counseling immediately to resolve the issue. Physical abuse is a very dangerous thing.Physical abuse in a relationship should not be tolerated. If physical abuse is tolerated in a relationship it can lead to severe injuries or sometimes even death. Growing up as a child I was a part of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. The first time I saw my father hit my mother was when I was about 9 years old. We were living in New Haven Conneticut. It was about 8 in the morning. My dad had punched my mom in the mouth. It really had its effects on me mentally and emotionally.Seei ng my mother being abused affected me mentally and emotionally by not being able to do anything about it and felling helpless. I was in constant panic when he would raise his voice not knowing if he was going to be violent or attack my mother or my brothers and sisters. Seeing what happened as a child and what I was exposed to hindered me. The effects it put on me causes a lot of problems also for me today. It affects the way I interact with people in personal relationships and social relationships.Conflict and abuse affects a lot of people today in many ways and can cause people to become anti social and withdrawing. Conflict and abuse has become a very familiar thing. There are a lot of movies that demonstrates conflict and abuse and the many affects that it has on the people that are suffering from it. I learned a lot of great things from the reading. I learned that abuse has many different forms and is practiced or experienced in many relationships all over the world. I the read ing was very interesting and agree with its content.I will apply what I learned by help bring awareness to the affect that abuse has on relationships to people close to me and I will also continue to be aware myself. I will also try to avoid conflict even more in my relationships. I could use this information to help others by giving then the information that was giving to me and I believe that they will relate to a lot of things that they will read and help them to see that they are not alone. Conflict and abuse is very dangerous and should be avoided by any means. If it is not avoided, it can lead to many harmful affects.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

how to be a singer essays

how to be a singer essays Can fame and stardom come without struggles and hardships? When the word fame or stardom comes up, people usually think of movie celebrities, sports stars, and especially musicians. Musicians fill the world with the great sounds of rhythmic beats and melodies. Though the world is filled with musicians of all kinds, singers possess the true inborn gift, vocal talent, which can only be obtained at birth. Singers are seen living the good life with nice cars, luxurious mansions, and a constant cash flow. Those are all great images of a musician but they are the benefits that can only be received AFTER they are established. On the road to a record deal, there are numerous amounts of steps to overcome. The first and most important thing to have is the true talent to sing. This is key because this is the main thing that is looked for. If there is no ability to sing then no record company is going to want to sign you. There is not one record company willing to sign someone a label contract that did not have the raw talent to sing. A bad voice does not make many people want to jump up and buy the CD. Record companies are all about money, they need a sure thing. Profits must be made and if a CD cannot sell, why invest and lose money on it. Once you have established your singing ability, it is on to the next step. The next step is to find an entertainment lawyer (also known as a manager or an agent) who is familiar with the industry and willing to work with you. Usually a manager can be found in many different resources like the yellow pages, references from vocal coaches, or even searching on the Internet. Another untapped resource is the radio. The radio usually airs commercials about different events, in your local area, that are going on to support those who feel they have the talent and ability to compete with professionals in the music industry. These affairs basically serve as scouting events ...