Perceptual Mapping free essay sample

A detailed explanation of how perceptual mapping works, what it does, and what are its critical assumptions †¢An application of how perceptual mapping was used, i. e. , describing an application of the tool in detail, focusing on procedure, calculations, results, and interpretation. Background Branding; is defined by Charles W. Lamb, co-author of Marketing: sixth edition; as a name, term, symbol, design, or combination thereof that identifies a seller’s product or service and differentiates them from competitors’ products. Perhaps, the successful of many businesses has been attributed to the positioning of a product or service associated to a brand that consumers would easily grasp and differentiate from other products within a category. Understanding how consumers store information in memory is essential in brand development, according to Dawn Iacobucci, editor of Kellogg on Marketing. A product or service â€Å"brand† might have three types of associations: attributes, people, and occasions. â€Å"Attributes are physical characteristics of a product such as its color, size, and flavor. We will write a custom essay sample on Perceptual Mapping or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page People and occasions together are regarded as image. Most brand positioning involves a combination of attributes and image. Perhaps, consumers typically do not make decisions on the basis of attributes or image alone. Rather they use a combination of both to infer some benefit, adds Iacobucci. A benefit is an abstract concept such as convenience, pleasure, or fun. The rationale for a benefit is the fact that it has some attributes or that certain people use it on particular occasions. An example is how the beer industry emphasize the taste benefit supported by specifying the brand’s choice by showing young adults enjoying it at social gatherings, sports, or at home with friends. Therefore, perceptual mapping has become essential in the development or repositioning of a product or service for any marketing manager. Since perceptual mapping, according to Dr. Zafar Iqbal PhD professor of marketing at DePaul University, is a special representation in which customer perceptions for competitors’ brands are represented in a Euclidean space. Consequently, the use of perceptual mapping as a marketing tool allows marketing managers to identify and visualize a map of the marketplace in which the brands are positioned against one another vying for the spot in which consumers desire the most. Perceptual Mapping In order to create a reliable visual representation of the market input from customers or the target market are key. Perhaps, perceptual mapping provides a visual representation of customer’s perceptions. Consequently, perceptual maps are useful for deciding product positioning or repositioning; comparison between companies’ views of product positioning with customers’ perceptions; or identifying a competitive set(s). To develop the map, at least four focus group needs to be conducted in order to identify which are the attributes of the products or services that are characteristics and relevant. The attributes and products would vary according to the objective of the study. Perhaps, the study could have a strategic positioning or tactical positioning objective. Subsequently, once all attributes are identified, the development and implementation of a survey is essential in order to obtain perception data. The survey would ask consumers using the attribute rating method (AR) and overall similarity method (OS). The AR method would ask consumers to rate a list of attributes for each product or service. Once the perception data is obtained through the survey. Using factor analysis, the data would be reduced without significant loss of information and find systematically underlying patterns and inter-relationships among variables (attributes). Moreover, the use of factor analysis would allow the individual(s) to use the input (brands x attributes) to create a matrix of standardized scores for each brand and attribute, as long as the rotation sums of squared loading of the total variance explained for the second component (attribute) together with the first is equal or above 60 per cent. Moreover, the through factor analysis would provide a rotated component matrix (VARIMAX) for each of the attributes assigning coordinates, allowing the individual to plot each of them into the perceptual map. Additionally, a component score matrix would be posted as two additional columns to the original data, providing coordinates for each of the brands. By plotting the coordinates for both brands and attributes in their respective quadrants, the perceptual map is, simultaneously, being drawn. Hence, other brands could be group by competitive clusters and positioning to which the brand at study could be compared in relation to other base on preference. Moreover, the map would provide good and bad gaps, and recommendations could be made as how to occupy good gaps and avoid to fall into bad gaps base on which attributes or perceptions to improve and/or communicate. Additionally, recommendations can also be made according to which positioning is desire, according to which exact quadrant to move into and exact location on the map. However, the recommendations and positioning strategy are based on a set of three assumptions. Since it is based on a snapshot of costumers’ current perceptions. Assumptions I. It pair-wise distances between product or service alternatives directly indicated by perceive similarities or differences between any pairs. Perhaps, the distance between brands is determined by the perception in the costumers’ mind and whether the products are similar or different from each other. For example, the costumers’ perception of American Eagle clothes is similar to Abercrombie Fitch. Therefore, both brands would be positioned closer than if it is compare with Tommy Hilfiger. II. The attributes, described as vectors on the map, indicate both magnitude and direction. Perhaps, the brands could fall under different points on the preference line. Nonetheless, the magnitude in which one brands is preferred over other cannot be measured nor can be estimated. Every decision would have to be taken by inference according to the map. III. The brands would be positioned according to the coordinates and the place in the axes of the maps would represent or suggest the underlying dimensions (or factors) that best characterize how costumers differentiate between alternatives. The manufacturers or engineers could perceive their product very different from others; however, customer’s perceptions could be very different and associate the product with another one. Case Study: United Color of Benetton United People Problem: United Color of Benetton wants to reposition themselves as the preferred clothing store for young professionals in the United States. Attributes:Quality, Trendy, Comfortable, Business-Casual, Bold Colors, Preference, Accessible, Low-cost (Price), attracts looks, wrinkle free The table above represent the averages of the responses obtain from the survey, which use a scale from one to seven, one being strongly disagreed and seven being strongly agree. Once the data is collected, based on the perception of individuals for each of the brands and attributes. The following step is, to perform a factor analysis to reduce the data without significantly loosing to much information and systematically find the inter-relationships among the different variables (attributes). The outcome of the factor analysis indicates that the total variance explained with two attributes have a rotation sums of square loading of 66. 78 per cent, which the standard by the industry must be above 60 per cent. The study positioned United Colors of Benetton (Benetton) in the complete opposite position in which Benetton wants to be (See Graph A). The brands that are leading the market that Benetton would like to enter are: Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic, and Hugo Boss – listed on order of preference according to the study. These brands have been clustered as the I’m a Young Professional group (See Graph B). Based on the desire of Benetton to reposition itself as the preferred clothing store for young professionals in the United States. Benetton would have to move into one of the three open spaces, in the consumers’ minds, that falls under the direction of preference and the desired position of Benetton. (See Graph C) Based on the desired repositioning of Benetton and its current position, I suggest that Benetton should develop their marketing strategies to position itself into Space A. Since moving into Space B or Space C, which are, at the moment, to far out of the current state that it would be to costly at the moment.

A Rose for Emily

A Rose for Emily In this passage, close to the end of the short story A Rose for Emily, and at the end of Miss Emily’s life as an eccentric figure in the life of the town, Faulkner literally lays out the dead woman for the reader. In a mere two sentences, one very short, and the other very long, this passage shows how the environment of this small Southern community could foster colourful personalities and peculiar behaviours.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Rose for Emily specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also hints at how a character such as Miss Emily could survive so long, and so unfettered by the constraints that seem to limit others in the town, shielded by an obsession with the past. The author uses vivid language, extended metaphor, and a rambling sentence structure to achieve this effect. The first sentence is almost abruptly brief. The relatives do their duty, promptly and correctly, just as they should, and the first, minimalist sentence signals that. There may be little love between these relatives from Alabama, who were, as noted earlier, â€Å"even more Grierson than Miss Emily had ever been† (Faulkner). However, they do what is expected for relations and no more, just like the sentence itself. The second sentence is discursive in the extreme. It begins by announcing the funeral, describes Miss Emily’s bier, the many attendees, their states of mind and their deportment. It ends by disclosing the overall confusion of past and present that Faulkner portrays as seeming endemic to the American South. This prepares the reader for the later revelation of Miss Emily’s madness. After hearing about her unwillingness to acknowledge her father’s death, and the Confederate veterans’ blithe mental abolishment of several decades of history, the reader is not totally surprised by Miss Emily’s ultimate gruesome preservation of the past in murdering her lover an d then co-sleeping with his corpse for the next several decades. While he does not use any obvious similes, Faulkner uses an extended metaphor to compare the elderly veterans’ foggy perception of the past to an ever-green field. The images he evokes are of a fondly recalled antebellum golden age of courtship and dancing. He personifies the crayon portrait of the senior Grierson, referring back to the ill-fated visit by the Aldermen regarding Miss Emily’s taxes. This are yet more references to the story’s theme that the dead and the past linger on unwholesomely, relating backwards to her refusal to relinquish her dad’s remains, and forward to the funeral attendees’ discovery of her nearly mummified lover.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Faulkner effectively evokes the susurration of whispered gossip by the use of ‘s’ s ounds, for example, second, Miss, mass, face, musing, ladies, and the onomatopoeic sibilant. The devices he uses change slightly when he begins speaking of the Civil War veterans in attendance. Here he uses parallelism in indicating where around the house the veterans are chatting, and in the three verbs that describe their foggy state off mind; talking, believing, and confusing. He uses antithesis to introduce the central metaphor of the passage (not†¦but instead). At the end of the passage, he could have said ‘untouched by the years’, but he stretches out the idea and suggests tentativeness by saying â€Å"never quite touches† (Faulkner). The passage includes concrete words, describing the veterans’ well-groomed old uniforms for example, and abstract ones describing, for example, their state of mind, or the physical impossibility of the inanimate portrait actually thinking. He uses polysyllabic words (e.g., macabre) when he needs them, and short sim ple Anglo-Saxon words (e.g., courted) when they are necessary. His verbs are active, but in this passage, they are not words describing physical action. They describe internal, mental, or emotional activity. What distinguishes his writing is his mastery of carefully constructed balanced subordinate clauses, creating beautiful and meticulously correct run-on sentences. This approach conveys, in this instance the sound of an older person rambling on about something, recalling items in mid-speech. In general, throughout Faulkner’s work, as in this passage, these stylistic devices convey the complexity and nuanced nature of relationships in the small towns he portrays. The result is an evocative and utterly scary murder mystery – solved. Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily. The Harbrace Anthology of Short Fiction. Ed. Jon C Stott, Raymond E Jones and Rick Bowers. 2nd. Toronto, 1998. 144-150. paperback. 3 May 2013. https://www.amazon.com/The-Harbrace-anthology-short-fictio n/dp/0774736097.

Critical Analysis of an HRD Intervention (Human Resources Development) Essay

Critical Analysis of an HRD Intervention (Human Resources Development) - Essay Example arning is defined as organization’s capability to disseminate, exploit as well as to create and generate knowledge which is an essential resource and also increases capability of organizations seeking to maintain a cutthroat advantage in present marketplace. There are two types of organizational learning. One is exploitative learning and another one is explorative learning. The capability to acquire knowledge unquestionably gives sustainable benefit for the organization. Organizations which are capable in creating or innovating fresh knowledge and maintain that knowledge as well as to transfer this throughout the venture are more prolific as well as more capable in flourishing than their counter parts and are less skilled at the organizational learning (Carnegie Mellon University, n.d.). The HRD research and practice describes itself emphasizing in three main areas in the organizations workplace which critically covers adult education’s importance of learning or following subjects like career development, organizational development and training and development (Fenwick, n.d.). Along with intervention, orientation holds supreme importance in the arena of human resource development. Orientation basically comprises of the scheduled program that one undergoes when he or she joins a new company. Human resource development orientation basically aims a new recruit to adopt with the organizational culture. The present day organization as well as academia provides increased emphasis upon the orientation segment within the discipline of human resource development. The essay focuses on the requirement and involvement of orientation within the perspective of human resource development. An employee orientation program is very important for making the employee comfortable with his new surroundings and also making them understand the work ethics, culture of the company. In my orientation program, I was given a formal introduction to all my co workers by our HR personnel.

Plea Bargaining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Plea Bargaining - Essay Example Besides, the delay of justice inherent in legal trials will also practically amount to a denial of justice. Therefore, plea bargaining is a legal option when a defendant willingly agrees to settle a particular case under certain conditions and guidelines. Plea bargaining allows for a settlement of many cases outside the court when the two adversarial sides agree to reach an agreement (Goldstein, 1985, p. 62). In cases subjected to plea bargaining, either of the two sides, which are either the defendant or the prosecution, can initiate negotiations for plea bargaining, if both sides are willing to reach an agreement (Goldstein, 1985, p. 63). Plea bargaining usually involves a defendant pleading guilty to some or all of the charges levied against him or her, in return for which the prosecution makes recommendations for leniency in the sentence to be awarded to the defendant (Goldstein, 1985, p. 63). The hallmark of plea bargaining is that under no circumstances a judge is bound to hono r the recommendations made by the prosecution (Goldstein, 1985). Much of the plea bargains are subject to the court approval. Though the option of plea bargaining has its positives, yet it is also predisposed to certain demerits. Plea bargaining allows a defendant to avoid the loss of time and resources required for defending him or her (Tonry, 2000, p. 469). Plea bargaining also allows a defendant a chance to avoid stringent and harsh sentences and the accompanying negative publicity that a full trial may achieve (Tonry, 2000, p. 469). This also saves the courts the burden of carrying out a full trial of all the charges brought before them. By engaging in plea bargaining, the prosecution also saves on time and resources. Besides, it goes without saying that a criminal trial involves much uncertainty and anxiety. Plea bargaining helps concerned parties to avoid such uncertainty and anxiety (Tonry, 2000). Plea bargaining readily offers a conviction to the prosecution and allows one t o shape the sentencing as per one’s inclinations and aspirations (Tonry, 2000). Plea bargaining also has a favorable impact on the already overcrowded prison system. Plea bargaining also has its demerits in the sense that the detractors of this option hold that it offers to the criminals an easy way out of the criminal justice system (Saney, 1986, p. 139). The other disadvantage of plea bargaining is that it is open to the approval of the courts. If a court does not agree to an agreement achieved through plea bargaining, the case is left open to a full trial (Saney, 1986, p. 139). Plea bargaining is also harsh on the defendants in the sense that once a defendant pleads guilty and signs an agreement reached through plea bargaining, one will be left with no option to submit an appeal at a later stage if the case goes for a full trial (Saney, 1986). Though it is pragmatic to conclude that the option of plea bargaining helps the courts being crippled by a deluge of trials, still the criminal justice system needs to contrive better options which would allow for the exercise of justice without weighing heavily on the scarce resources at its disposal. Luckily, besides plea bargaining, many other legal options are available to the criminal justice system. Diversion programs stand to be one such option.

Diabetes is a Public Health Epidemic Research Paper

Diabetes is a Public Health Epidemic - Research Paper Example In this paper, we will also discuss the role that the government should play in order to reduce the health concerns related to Diabetes. We will argue in this paper that diabetes is a public health epidemic that needs to be addressed on a governmental level. There are governmental programs and legislations that should be passed to help reduce the prevalence of Diabetes in the younger population. Also many other public and private measures should be taken to reduce health concerns related to Diabetes especially in younger generation. Diabetes in Youth and its types Medical practitioners have shown their deep interest in the study of diabetes in youth despite the fact that the probability of children (under the age of twenty) getting this disease is very low. According to the survey of Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP), there were around 18.2 million cases of diabetes in the United States in 2002 (Steno Diabetes research group, 120-134). Out of these, 206,000 were in peopl e under the age of 20. Though this may seem very low as compared to the total number of cases of diabetes, it has become more prevalent in youth. Unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical exercise are major reasons why many of the children today are overweight and obese, and are at a higher risk of developing this disease. Generally there are three types of diabetes out which two of them affect the children most. They are discusses below in detail. Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes. It is a type of diabetes in which body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The insulin is a chemical produced in the pancreas that converts food into energy. The body cannot function without insulin. To carry out the daily routine functions, it is important that our body constantly produces insulin. Type 1 diabetes generally strikes the children at a very young age and it is usually passed genetically. Type 1 diabetes pati ents require insulin for their survival. There are many ways through which the patients can in-take insulin such as syringes, insulin pumps and injectable pens. The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are loss of weight, constant feeling of hunger, increase in urine and thirst, blurred vision and exhaustion. Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult onsets, is the most common type of diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in people who are above the ages of 35. The primary cause of type 2 diabetes is basically a critical medical condition called insulin resistance (Blonde and Lawrence, 123-150). Insulin resistance means that the body is able to produce insulin in the pancreas but is unable to work effectively. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the diabetic people have type 2 diabetes. One thing that is very important to mention is that the type 2 diabetes is associated with heart disease and if not treated appropriately, the situation can become worst. Therefore it is necessary that t he patient should take proper diet, walk, and exercise so as to maintain the normal diabetic level. It is important to mention here that both types of diabetes are independent of age. They may affect a person at any age so it is important that certain precautionary measures are taken to avoid both types of diabetes. Relationship between childhood obesity and childhood diabetes Over the past few years childhood

Comment On Brave Heart English Literature Essay

Comment On Brave Heart English Literature Essay Brave Heart is an inspiring epic movie. One of the factors that attracts most people is the heroism of the protagonist in the movie, but while the heroism is traced back to its origin, it can be said this heroism is not born but compelled. The protagonist is not a born hero but a compelled one. Thus it is called compelled heroism. This paper mainly concentrates on the causes of this compelled heroism, and it is explored layer by layer in the following text. Key words: Brave Heart, compelled heroism, tyrannical, revolt, freedom The movie Brave Heart was set in the Scottish national independence movement against English in the thirteenth century and early fourteenth century. The protagonist, William Wallace, is a Scottish national hero who led the Scottish people to fight against the tyrannical regime of English for freedom. His heroism inspired many people to bleed with him. Though he was beheaded at last by English king, in his spirit, Scottish people finally won their independence. Nevertheless, this heroism was not born but compelled. William Wallace did not want to be a hero at the very beginning, and what made him a hero was the situations he was faced with. To fight against the tyrannical regime was the only choice he had, so he was compelled to do so and be a national hero with this compelled heroism. According to Webster on line dictionary‚, the word heroism means heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end. compelled, correspondently, means to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure. When the two words are combined, compelled heroism means such kind of heroic conduct that is caused to do. Simply speaking, this heroic conduct is not intended but caused to be done. In the movie, the protagonist William Wallace is such a compelled hero with compelled heroism. In order to analyze this compelled heroism, first, it is necessary to explore where it came from, then the origins of the heroism will prove it to be compelled, namely the compelled heroism. There are mainly four factors that contribute to this heroism: the hatred about his fathers death, the love towards his wife Murron, the loathing of the tyrannical regime of English, and the eager for national freedom. First, the hatred about Wallaces fathers death shocked and saddened him much. When Wallace was still a little boy, his father was deceived and killed in a battle between the English and their clan, leaving little Wallace an orphan. Wallace became grieved and helpless, but he could do nothing at that time. Though his father was gone, he once taught little Wallace that it was our wits that made us man. Little Wallace remembered that, and always tried to fight with wits later. Then his uncle came and took him to live with him. During this time, Wallace travelled and learned cultural knowledge and martial arts. It was his fathers and uncles teachings that made Wallace a potential hero in the future, but he was not and did not want to be a hero at all at that time. Wallace could not choose his birth and identity, so he was compelled to accept his fate at the very beginning. He was a potential compelled hero after his birth. Second, the love towards his wife Murron made him brave and fearless. Murron was Wallaces childhood sweatheart. After Wallace grew up, he came back to the small town where he was born, and married Murron secretly, because at that time, under the regime of English, the English nobles in Scottish had the right of primae noctics over the bride. One day, Murron was offended and killed by English soldiers, which caused Scottish peoples sealed anger and revolt against English. Wallace, of course, fought first and became the leader of the revolting army. Nevertheless, Wallace did not want to revolt at all when he came back home, because he said I came back home to raise crops, and, God willing, a family. If I can live in peace, I will. What made him revolt against the English was his deep love towards his wife Murron. This time, Wallace could not stand any more, and his anger finally broke out. Again, Wallace was compelled to fight and be a hero. Third, the loathing of the tyrannical regime of English became the target of the revolt. At that time, England was in the Gorse Flower Dynasty era. When Edward was in power, he adopted atrocious high-pressure means to control Scottland. His rule was tyrannical and inhuman. Englands brutal domination caused a number of massacres. Eventually, noble farmers in Scottland took up arms to fight against England. William Wallace was the famous representative. The death of Murron was just a powderhose of the revolt, and Wallaces later fight against English sublimated, not only for the revenge for Murron, but also for the destroying of the tyrannical regime of English. Wallace at this time was compelled to lead his countrymen to the final success of this revolt. Fourth, the eager for national freedom was everlasting. At the moment Wallace was heheaded, he used all his strength to shoutfreedom Freedom for all his countrymen! When Wallace and his men started the revolt, they were doomed to go on a road of no return. After his being beheading, his head was set on the London bridge, his body torn into pieces to send to the four corners of Britain as a warning, but William Wallace never yielded to tyranny and gave up freedom. He used his life to explain what freedom truly was. Though Wallace was killed tragically and did not lead his men to win the final success of freedom, later, Scottish people united and continued to fight for their national freedom. It was in Wallaces spirit of heroism that the Scottish people won their freedom. As a national hero, Wallace was compelled again to die for the freedom they pursued, and this time, his heroism was sublimated, not only compelled, but also willing. In brief, after reviewing Wallaces heroic story, we can draw the conclusion that Wallace was a hero who was compelled but finally willing to fight for the freedom of all Scottish people. So this heroism was compelled from the causes of it.That is compelled heroism. Notes: Brave Heart is an epic movie directed and acted by Mel Gibson. The stars are Mel Gibson and Sophie Marceau. ‚www.Merriam-Webster.com

Sarcasm and Irony in Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal :: A Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift

Sarcasm and Irony in Swift's A Modest Proposal In his lengthy literary career, Jonathan Swift wrote many stories that used a broad range of voices that were used to make some compelling personal statements. For example, Swifts, A Modest Proposal, is often heralded as his best use of both sarcasm and irony. Yet taking into account the persona of Swift, as well as the period in which it was written, one can prove that through that same use of sarcasm and irony, this proposal is actually written to entertain the upper-class. Therefore the true irony in this story lies not in the analyzation of minute details in the story, but rather in the context of the story as it is written. One of the voices that is present throughout the story is that of irony. The story itself is ironic since no one can take Swifts proposal seriously. This irony is clearly demonstrated at the end of the story; Swift makes it clear that this proposal would not affect him since his children were grown and his wife unable to have any more children. It would be rather absurd to think that a rational man would want to both propose this and partake in the eating of another human being. Therefore, before an analyzation can continue, one has to make the assumption that this is strictly a fictional work and Swift had no intention of pursuing his proposal any further. One of the other voices that is present throughout the entire story is that of sarcasm. In order to understand this further, a reader has to comprehend that Swift, becoming infamous after Gullivers Travels, was a member of the upper-class. Right from the first paragraph Swift attempts to fool his readers by the sarcasm of the dreary scene that Swift presents. For example, he mentions that it is a melancholy sight to see beggars and their children on the street. The sarcastic paradox in this statement is whether it is a melancholy object for him, having to see homeless people every day, or for the beggars lifestyle? Upon first reading this one may be led to believe that Swift is a compassionate writer attempting to feel the pain of the beggars. But as the story continues, a reader can look back and note that he is using a sarcastic tone and the only sad sight that he sees is the fact that people of his status have to deal with commoners.

Geopolitics in Asia Essay

The study of the relationship among politics and geography, demography, and economics especially with respect to the foreign policy of a nation. The study of geographic influences on power relationships in international politics. Geopolitical theorists have sought to demonstrate the importance in the determination of foreign policies of considerations such as the acquisition of natural boundaries, access to important sea routes, and the control of strategically important land areas. The term was first employed in the early 20th century by the Swedish political scientist Rudolph Kjellen (1864 – 1922). Geopolitical factors have become less significant in the foreign policies of states because of improvements in communications and transportation. Geopolitics in Asia: Russia, India and Pakistan-China Cooperation With Russian President Vladimir Putin planning to visit Pakistan, some of my Indian friendsjournalists believe that the proposed trip is a kind of punishment for India because of Delhi’s ‘proAmerican’ foreign policy. I think that such a simplistic explanation underestimates the complexity of the situation in the southern part of central Eurasia, which will experience new changes after foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan. And then a new geopolitical equation will emerge, where Pakistan and its geopolitical alliance with China will surely be the central element due to historical reasons and geographical circumstances. In 1950, Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, while in the 1960s to early 1970s it remained Beijing’s most steadfast ally during a period of a relative international isolation of the latter. China appreciates this support by providing Pakistan with both military, and technical and economic assistance, including the transfer of nuclear technology. Some experts believe that strengthening multilateral connections between India and the U. S. will make strategic alliance relations between Islamabad and Beijing even closer, even more so, because the Pakistani elite considers the partnership with China to be a security guarantee. Military-technical cooperation (MTC) of Islamabad and Beijing is carried out in three main areas: Rockets: Pakistani armed forces have short range and medium range missiles that experts regard as a ‘modification of Chinese allistic missiles’; Combat aircraft: the Pakistani Air Force has aircraft of Chinese design – JF-17 Thunder and K-8 Karakorum, as well as the co-produced interceptor aircraft. In addition, the Pakistani Air Force uses the early warning radar system made in China (U. S. experts believe that the delay in the transfer of the remains of the stealth helicopter that took part in the elimination of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011, was associated with its preliminary study by t he Chinese military); Nuclear program: it is believed that China could have transferred to Pakistan the technologies that are critical to the production of nuclear weapons. In addition to MTC, Pakistan and China are actively developing economic relations; their development acceleration was caused by a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement of 2008. By some estimates, the bilateral trade is approaching $15 billion. With China’s help, long-term infrastructure projects are being implemented in Pakistan, covering road construction, minerals development (including copper and gold), the classical energy manufacturing as well as several projects in the nuclear / non-classical energy field. An important object of the joint activity was the construction of the deepwater port of Gwadar in Baluchistan Province (the port complex operation was started in December 2008. ). This port, located at 180 nautical miles from the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 40% of the world’s supply of oil by water is accomplished, is of strategic importance to Beijing as well. First, it provides diversification and hydrocarbons-supply protection and, secondly, it is possible to access the Arabian Sea through Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which is important for the overall economic security of China. Formally, Pakistan has two main strategic allies – China and the United States. However, in the light of the events in 2011 the country’s ruling circles have lost confidence in America and increasingly rely on China, referred to, at an informal level, as the ‘all-weather ally’. (An important factor in the growth of Islamabad’s distrust to Washington was the US-Indian ‘nuclear deal’ that has in fact excluded India, according to Pakistani officials, from the nuclear non-proliferation regime. ) The decision by China to build two nuclear reactors in Pakistan, in addition to the existing ones, was a vivid demonstration of mutual trust. However, there are still some problems in the ‘all-weather allies’ relationship. China’s elite is concerned with the high level of political extremism in Pakistan. Beijing is worried about the growing militancy of the Uighurs operating from the tribal area of Pakistan. According to experts, a significant number of Uighurs who attended madrassas in Pakistan in the 1980s have been subsequently mobilized to units operating on the territory of Afghanistan – first against the Soviet troops and later against the combined forces of the U. S. and its allies in their fight against the Taliban. A certain faction of the Uighurs – ‘Mujahideen’ – apparently returned to China. Another cause of concern in Beijing is the frequent attacks of political radicals against Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on contract (more than 10,000 people). The situation is particularly difficult in the province of Baluchistan, in the western part of the country. Therefore, Beijing, preoccupied as it is with the safety of its citizens as well as the country’s prestige in the Muslim world, does not put a special emphasis on combating terrorism in Pakistan, in fact, entrusting a major role in this campaign to the United States. In its turn, Washington takes into account China’s growing concern over proactive forces of political Islam in Pakistan, seeing the coincidence of the United States’ and China’s long-term strategic interests in combating radicalism. China seeks to maintain a strategic policy toward Pakistan that blends the two contradictory principles: 1) restriction of the geopolitical influence of the U. S. and India in South Asia, and 2) protection of the Celestial Empire against political extremism emanating from the Pakistani territory. This task is solved both by the balanced development of relations with Islamabad and Delhi, and through the promotion of good neighbourly relations between the two ‘historic rivals’. This, among other things, is due to the relatively ‘impartial’ policy of the Middle Kingdom, in particular regarding the ‘Kashmir problem’. Such a compromise position of Beijing is apparently connected with the fears of a possible impact of the ‘demonstration effect’ of fermentation in the ‘big’, i. e. historical, Kashmir on tentative ethnic and religious turmoil in Xinjiang and Tibet. PT-2 A point of view has long been firmly established among Indian political analysts that the only function of relations between China and Pakistan is that of ‘containment’ of India in South Asia. It is difficult to deny the logic of such geopolitical constructions, but this position underestimates the importance of trends that cause a significant external impact on the internal political situation in China during the last decade. The permanent destabilising impact of events in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) on the overall development of China is a recognized fact. Moreover, political circles in Beijing do not rule out the possibility that supporters of the ‘independent Uighur state’ operating from the KhyberPakhtunkhwa or North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) territory of Pakistan are supported by the USA and some Muslim states. Therefore, Beijing endeavours to use various options to neutralise the forces of political Islam in Xinjiang, including those at the state level (Xinjiang is a home to over eight million Uighurs, the most radical of them are seeking to establish an independent state – ‘East Turkistan’). In this direction the China’s policy towards Pakistan has adopted new important points. On the one hand, Beijing was satisfied with a full support of action to eliminate disturbances in Urumqi in July 2009 by the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of a ‘core’ Muslim state that has formally dissociated itself from the ‘International Islamic Resistance Movement’ in Xinjiang. On the other hand, China has doubts about the Pakistan authorities’ ability to exercise effective control over all its territory. Beijing is not fully convinced in the effectiveness of such controls and some of Islamabad’s steps taken against extremists, in particular the stringent restrictive measures against the Uighur settlements and their religious schools in Pakistan that have become ‘nurseries’ for the future separatists. The doubts took the form of a direct agreement on multilateral cooperation between the PRC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The goal of the agreement is establishing direct contacts with the NWFP leaders in order to suppress the activities of Islamists carried out from the territory of the province. The agreement, however, has a significant socio-economic content. Its ‘supporting structure’ seems to be the broadening (with China’s help) of the Karakorum Highway, which is strategic for both countries and (through the Khunjerab pass located at an altitude of 4,693 metres above the sea level) connects Xinjiang and NWFP. The Pakistani authorities seek to persuade China about the appropriateness of using the Karakorum Highway as a main international communication link for the delivery of imports to China from Pakistan’s ports, particularly from Gwadar in the Arabian Sea that has been modernised with the Beijing’s help. The agreement also provides for cooperation in the field of interregional trade, science and technology, culture, education, health, agriculture, sports and tourism. It can be noted: filling the NWFP agreement with specific content, China will seek to engage as much of economically active population as possible in the bilateral interregional ties cycle, and thus bind their potentially destructive to China activities in Xinjiang. Interregional relations are only a part of the Beijing’s general course for stabilising the situation in Pakistan. The PRC leadership is aware that Pakistan’s problems are of structural and systemic origin, and that they are generated by the state’s government course that is constantly and on an extended basis reproducing the contradictions that threaten the unity and territorial integrity of the country. Beijing wants to diversify its geopolitical strategy towards Pakistan and the South Asia as a whole. First, Beijing seems to be confident that because of its involvement in military activities in Afghanistan, the U. S. positions in Pakistan have been subtly but irreversibly weakening. The new ‘equation’ of geopolitical power in Central Asia is indicative of China emerging as a dominant economic â€Å"actor† in the area. Beijing carries out the tactics of gently pushing the U. S. out of Pakistan through the time tested and proven practice of foreign economic relations expansion. In addition, Pakistan is counting on China’s substantial financial assistance, as well as cooperation in the ‘classical’ energy field, primarily the construction of hydropower stations along the lines of tested Chinese projects (based on the experience of the ‘Three Gorges’ project on Yangtze River) in the mountains. Second, true to its strategic principle of ‘economy defines geopolitics,’ China actively participates in the modernisation of transport infrastructure in Pakistan. In fact, the implementation of projects in this area is subject to reaching a two-in one objective: to ensure safe transportation of energy carriers on the Persian Gulf – South China Sea route and limit the U. S. influence in the regions of the Middle East, South and Central Asia that are a ‘sensitive’ spot for China. The above-mentioned project – the Gwadar port in the north-western part of the Arabian Sea – is an ideal place for observing the movement of vehicles and naval vessels coming from the Persian Gulf towards the East, and – if necessary – can be used to protect the vehicles delivering energy resources to the Far East. In particular, the active participation of experts from China in modernising bases and stations of Pakistan Navy submarines, which can also be used by Chinese submarines, speaks in favour of this assumption. Third, according to media reports, China intends to seek permission to open a military base in Pakistan. Military experts believe that there are at least three strategic objectives pursued: providing a ‘soft’ military-political pressure on India; limiting U. S. influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan; direct supervising over the activities of the ‘Uighur separatists’ in the NWFP of Pakistan. Fourth, according to Indian press, China has become a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan. Currently, the Pakistani army is allegedly armed with Chinese military equipment to the tune of 70 percent. Moreover, citing some military sources in Delhi, the Indian press says: If the prospect of receiving the Russian fifth generation fighter by the Indian Air Force is materialised, Pakistan will turn for help to China also carrying research in this area of military construction. And finally, for Pakistan, China remains an indispensable ally and partner in the improvement of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems since 1976. And there is no evidence of terminating that assistance in the foreseeable future.

Using Technology to Improve Economies

Using Technology to Improve Economies Evaluate the impact of the M-PESA system on a small Kenyan business With the ever changing environment, it is imperative for more research and technologies to be improvised to keep pace with the changes. Mobile technology is one of the areas that have witnessed massive changes with more advancements and innovations coming up.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Using Technology to Improve Economies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The most recent technology has been in the money transfer using cell phones commonly referred to as the M-PESA service. The popular mobile telephone technology has played a vital role in stabilizing economies of several countries. Vodafone is a good example of a mobile service provider that has embraced these technologies. M-PESA service system, which is in use in Kenya, has provided drastic impacts or rather positive rewards to the country’s economic climate more so in improving th e environment and status of the many small Kenyan businesses. Kenya is one of the countries that have a developing economy. Most of its inhabitants are small-scale farmers and mostly depend on agriculture. The M-PESA system has contributed a lot to the success and self sustainability of small-scale business through its faster, affordable money transfer services. Many of the small business people are now able to access money at a faster rate and at less cost. The small businesspeople have no access to banks. It is only but a few people who work in formal sectors who have accounts in banks. The system has gone beyond this and made these business people with little access to these banking facilities get money for development of their business hence influencing the general Kenyan economy positively. Kenya’s good share of population depends on the informal sector with most people running their small businesses like canteens, shops and the Jua-kali sector. The accessibility and aff ordability of mobile phones has thus contributed to the success of this technology, which has actually received a lot of followers, majority from this informal sector based on its efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility when it comes to money transfer. These businessmen are able to receive money from their families and business partners in different parts with just a press of a button. Therefore, the system has seen them go a milestone in mobile technology more specifically in the areas of money transfer through the M-PESA service.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The system is also secure and simple to use and therefore appropriate for business men in their operations. As a result, the small business people in Kenya have gone for it. The process of completing transactions is not complex as the operator is directed through simple-to-understand steps because t he process lacks complexity. It has been well embraced seeing improvements in the status of the businesses of various businesspersons. The system is also secure in terms of safeguarding the money of the clients. For instance, instead of risking carrying around large sums of money, the businessmen have avoided the risk by simply holding the money in the phone, as no body can tell when one has some money in his/her M-PESA account. This also has seen cases of theft and loss of money reduced. Security is also guaranteed as the operator has to carry out the transaction using a secret code known to him/her alone. This service therefore has provided a good environment or businesspeople in Kenya to carryout their business without fear and worries. For instance, the service has played a very important role during the recent election conflicts witnessed in the country, as it enabled the business people’s fraternity to continue their operations. It is therefore a very essential technolo gy that has solved many problems that have been witnessed in the former business transactions when such technology was not in place. For instance, it would have been difficult for some of the business transactions or operations to go on due to lack of money, as the parties could not get or send the money to cater for such cases hence the then evident economy crisis and availability of goods and services to customers. The system has also facilitated the sending and exchange of money as well as buying or paying for goods or services bought. For instance, it has made the process of doing business easier, as the system comes in handy while paying bills that are associated with business like electricity and water as well as purchasing products amongst other operations. It has therefore helped to a greater extend small businessmen in Kenya in becoming financially secure. Businessmen and women are able to use the service in running of their business smoothly. Those that reside in villages and countryside where they have little access to other alternatives of financial providers are able to use their mobile phones in accessing their money, which currently have been linked to their M-PESA accounts.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Using Technology to Improve Economies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The service has been made available to every region of the country with all people old and young accessing it and using it to manage their small businesses hence the evident improvement of the Kenyan economy. This possibility has become a reality, which has seen many small businesspeople become self sustainable further witnessing massive growth of their small enterprises owing to the availability of the M-PESA system of money transfer in Kenya. The system has also led to creation of employment opportunities to many people especially those with low income. These employment opportunities have been genera ted inform of the agents who give the services to the various customers. It has therefore aided the spirit of entrepreneurship evident in the country as small business people have identified it as a business opportunity by providing the services to customers who are increasing on daily basis thereby making large profits from the deal. The system has also had positive impact to the small business people in Kenya as it has sparked innovation and creativity in this sector of money transfer using mobile phones. These innovations have stimulated competition, which has ensured the provision of better services as each businessperson wishes to attract the largest number of customers. A working example of these innovations comes in form of the formation of partners with the financial services institutions in providing financial services to businesspeople for instance banks, which have now introduced the M-PESA service. The small business persons with no bank accounts can now feel recognized as they are able to access banking services using the M-PESA service just like those who have bank accounts. This has stimulated the spirit of doing business in Kenya. The M-PESA system in Kenya has also enabled people to carryout their business from any localities in the country due to ease of money transfer. For instance, a small business person staying in Mombasa, which is far south, is able to manage well his/her business in Wajir, which is far north. This has also seen the cost of doing business reduced, as various expenses have been cut out hence allowing the business people to realize high profit margins. For instance, with M-PESA, payments of services and products delivered are not delayed encouraging the businessmen to go on with their business smoothly due to readily available capital. It seems evident based on the milestone the Vodafone Company has done through its services of M-PESA system in Kenya. The service or rather system innovated by Vodafone has impacted positive ly to the population of Kenya more so the small scale businesspeople.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It has contributed a lot to economic growth through this cost effective, simple and secure mode of transferring money. The environment of doing business in Kenya has improved largely. The system has enabled a larger percentage of people to access and transfer money from one place to another. It has therefore assisted in cutting the costs of personal traveling or wasting a lot of time seeking money transfers avenues from traditional financial institutions like banks and Sacco’s. It is actually a milestone and innovation that is worth celebration, which requires a pat on the back. This technology has brought tangible improvements and benefits in the business fraternity in Kenya.

Chappaquiddick will the truth be known essays

Chappaquiddick will the truth be known essays On the night of 18/19 July 1969, twelve people attended a no-spouces party (Meyer Macon Morehouse et al.) on Chappaquid*censored*, a small island off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Two of the partygoers fell victim to a continuous deception. Mary Jo Kopechne who would have not lost her life but for the inexcusable misconduct of Ted Kennedy. The other partygoer, Senator Ted Kennedy, lost his chance of ever reaching the White House due to his web of lies. Bobby Kennedy's Presidential campaign had been ably assisted by the "Boiler room girls". A team of young women who were completely dedicated to the Kennedy cause. They were: Mary Jo Kopechne, Rosemary Keough, Nance Lyons, Mary Ellen Lyons, Susan Tannenbaum and Ester Newburgh. More than just secretaries, the girls' commitment made their role vital to the campaign. In June of 1968 Bobby was assassinated and grief overwhelmed the Kennedy family and the Boiler room girls. It had not even been five years since the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Almost every summer, members of the Kennedy family had traveled to Martha's Vineyard to participate in the Edgartown regatta. 1968 would to be an exception. Bobby's murder was a massive blow to the family and those close to them, but in particular to Ted. The Boiler room girls switched their attention to closing up Bobby's files and his campaign office. A keen sailor, Ted would participate in the regatta aboard a boat that once belonged to his brother Jack (McGinniss 534). Also participating was Ross Richards a personal friend of Teds (McGinniss 535), later to be an important witness in the Chappaquid*censored* plot. Robert Kennedy's son, Joe, was also on the island. As a thank-you for all their hard work on Bobby's Presidential campaign, a party had been planned to which the Boiler room girls were invited. (Oppenheimer 375) The party was to be at a cottage, also known as the Lawrence cottage, a shor...

To explore the relationship between motivation, job satisfaction & its Thesis Proposal

To explore the relationship between motivation, job satisfaction & its impact on employees performance - A study of 4.5 star hotel in Australia - Melbourne - Thesis Proposal Example Egan, Yang, and Bartlett (2004) carried out a study on how job satisfaction and organizational learning culture affected turnover intention and motivation to transfer learning where they carried out an examination of the relationship between job satisfaction, organizational outcome variables, and organization learning culture using IT employees sample in the USA. They then realized that Motivation to transfer learning and IT employee job satisfaction were associated together with organizational culture. They also found out that job satisfaction and organizational learning culture negatively influenced the turnover intention. The people who most of their times are cheerful and positive do tend to have a higher job satisfaction, and they express it rather than those who are gloomy and down most of their time. This is according to the research carried out by R. Ilies and T. Judge (2003, p. 754). They continued saying that the match between outcomes of the individual value in the jobs and how they perceive the availability of outcomes of such kind, more especially for the facets of jobs that are highly valued, primarily determine the job satisfaction (Hirsch, 2004, p. 114). Boswell, Boudreau, and Tichy (2005, p. 885) give the concept of honeymoon and hangover effect in job satisfaction. They view honeymoon effect as the propensity of enjoying high satisfaction level on new jobs, which they have taken as a response to dissatisfaction of the old jobs. They also explain the hangover effect as the tendency of the satisfaction level to drop with time, from the time when a position is new to the time more experience is gained. On comparing job involvement, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction, Moynihan and Sanjay (2007) examined the effects of job characteristics, organizational variables, and individual attributes on some aspects on work motivation,

Discrimination Issue in Literature and According to the Famous Speaker Research Paper

Discrimination Issue in Literature and According to the Famous Speaker - Research Paper Example Issues  affecting the world and the United States including the economic crisis, global warming, and the importance of togetherness between all diversifying factors. The speech provided clear plans for future America by maintaining the unity and equality among all Americans. Obama demonstrated that even Blacks can make it; especially by claiming, it is the time for the Blacks of achieving the American dream of equality. He achieves the notions of racism by creating perceptions of attracting the whites to support the blacks in taking America forward. This short story illustrates the meaning and other importance of language through a discussion of the broken language spoken by the mother. The author explores various forms of English spoken around the world that makes it different to the way the mother speaks. She provides various examples of English versions spoken, in order to create an attention to different English speakers alternatively, the ones aspiring to read or speak English that it varies from place to another. This literature is directed to those people who do not understand the various types of language speakers including the various forms of English language. This helps them to understand one another in terms of racial equality and the place of origin where the language spoken is directly related to the mother tongue’s language. The story describes the life of the author as an Indian boy living in the eastern region of Washington State. It illustrates the way reading and writing affected Alexie’s life. The short story shows the way young Indian boy used his intelligence, as an Indian became a creative writing teacher for other Indian children living in the area. He started his literal experience when he picked his father’s book where he could not understand the words but get the conceptual making of paragraphs. The story illustrates the struggles and possibilities of adapting to different cultures of the people.