Impact of Recent Changes in Capitalism on Social and Economic Status of Women

Introduction The history of women and their oppression has been well documented in literature. Several authors have explored the origin of women oppression. Women’s oppression has its roots in capitalism which has existed for many centuries (Stuart & Martin 1989). Their oppression is of course not unique to capitalism as it has been there since the colonial times and through the 19th century and 20th. However, over the past few decades, we have observed significant changes in capitalism which has impacted on the status of women. Many changes have been observed some of which are positive and others which take a more gloomy view. In this respect, this paper explores how the recent changes in capitalism have affected the social and economic status of women. In particular, the paper considers how post-Fordism and neoliberalism have altered women’s socio-economic position. Changes such as industrialization, urbanization, internationalization, globalization and modernization will be discu ssed in detail. The paper will examine how the concurrent cultural shifts have interacted with these socio-economic transformations and determine what the overall impact of these different factors has been. An exploration of this topic will be incomplete without examining the origin of capitalism and the rise of post fordism and neoliberalism. History of capitalism and crisis of fordism The origin of capitalism remains shrouded in the mists of history. Its exact birth date is speculated to be anywhere between the 14th century and the 17th century (Stuart & Martin 1989). Capitalism emerged from a feudal society and is linked to Europe’s economic system of the late 1700s (Price 2005). It is argued to have begun with the enclosure of common land used by peasants, and development of merchant capital and slave trade in western Europe (Price 2005). Rich landowners appropriated public land and made it their own private land, thereby creating a landless working class which provided the needed labour to develop industries (Harvey 1989). Fordism, a regime characterized by mass production, emerged in the early 20th century. It became dominant in the advanced capitalism during the postwar reconstruction. It was characterized by the mass production of homogenous consumer products, use of rigid technology, increased productivity, rising income which is dependent on product ivity, increased profitability and investments, and homogenization and intensification of labour (Clarke 1990). Fordism gave birth to the current phenomenon of ‘mass worker’. The fordist regime adopted a set of cultural norms and values which continued to oppress women. The regime supported the male breadwinner model where women were seen as mothers and house wives while men worked in paid labour (Castell 1996). Gender relations under this regime required women to work without pay while the male subject was remunerated. However, fordist regime had its limits which were technical, social and economic in nature. Technical limits were mainly the exhaustion and the intensification of labour (Clarke 1990). The economic limits included decrease in profitability which was a result of the rising wages and declining productivity. Social limits were related to the growing demands of mass worker. Post-fordism and neoliberalism Given the crisis of fordism, a new form of ‘post-fordist regime’ emerged which was characterized by the growing differentiation of products, new technologies, more flexible production methods, and greater skill and flexibility, and increased involvement of women in paid labour (Burrow & Loader 2003). Post-fordism emerged primarily due to three main driving forces: internationalization, technology revolution, and as a result of the paradigm shift from fordism to post-fordism (Broomhill 2001). Introduction of the welfare system and the rise of women movement in the post-fordist regime led to the abandonment of the male breadwinner model and women’s financial independence (Broomhill 2001). Several historical events have transformed the social landscape including technological revolution, demise of international communist movement and the collapse of Soviet statism (Castell 1996). Proliferation of technologies centred on information systems have reshaped the social la ndscape and accelerated the pace of development of the society. Moreover, the rise of globalization has led to a new form of relationship between states and economies (Castell 1996). All these changes have been driven and shaped by the neo-liberal thought. Neoliberalism has led to the increasing globalization, decentralization, de-regulation of the market, organizational restructuring, growth and consolidation of transnational corporations, and ‘free marketization’ which has reduced the old state and contractual controls (Acker 2004). Furthermore, new forms of flexibility in employment relations including part-time and online forms of working have emerged, changing the working environment. Post-fordism and neoliberal policies have resulted in the feminization of labour and made men and women both similar in the public sphere (Broomhill 2001). Impact on women’s economic and social status These changes in capitalism have had profound yet contradictory impact on the economic and social status of women. While it has to a large extent improved women’s socio-economic status by undermining older forms of male dominance, it has to some extent worsened their life conditions (Beck et al. 2001). On the positive side, post-Fordism and neoliberalism have altered women’s socio-economic position and disrupted the settled economies that supported patriarchy structures. Post-fordist relations of production have resulted in the inclusion of women in paid labour force. Neoliberal policies have increased flexibility in employment. These changes have changed the way women view themselves and challenged the patriarchic view of domination of women by the men (McRobbie 2008). And since domination essentially occurs through construction of reality, if the women subjects do not internalize patriarchalism, then its demise is just a matter of time. While some religion in some cou ntries, especially Islam, continue to re-state the sanctity of the patriarchal family, its disintegrations is evident in many countries. Women in many countries have joined the paid workforce and even conquered legal parity at work. However, their inclusion in the paid labour force does not necessarily imply that they were relieved of the burden of Partriachalism. It might be that despite working for pay, women still continue with their role of providing domestic and caring labour at home. Nonetheless, their liberation from oppression is clearly evident across the globe. The number of women in paid workforce has been increasing gradually over the years. Estimates indicate that women currently account for about 42% of the global workforce with majority of them employed in the health sector (75%) (WHO 2008). Not only has their economic status improved, their social status has improved as well. Women are increasingly being seen as equals to men including in politics where they were ess entially absent. The political system in many countries has opened up to female leadership. The participation of women in leadership positions and politics is clearly evident in the recent presidential elections in the US where Hillary Clinton contested against President Barack Obama. Many more women leaders have emerged all over the world with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia being the most popularly known in Africa, having won as the first ever female president in Africa. Others include the German chancellor Angela Merkel, President Cristina Fernandez of Argentina, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil and many more (Aguirre et al. 2012). The list is certainly endless. In addition, the education system has become more open to the girl child including in fundamentalist countries such as Iran which have seen a growing number of women graduates (Castell 1996). The affirmation and recognition of women’s values, the growing wome n movements and critique of patriarchalism are some of the most important transformations that have contributed to the new status of women. Feminism As women movements continue to fight for their autonomy and recognition of women’s values, the more has feminism diversified. A new frontier has emerged based on the notion of ‘degendering’ of the society which implies a society free from gender associations or rather one that moves beyond gender (Murphy 2011). This new frontier in feminism has superseded the old battles that existed between equality feminism and difference feminism. By mobilizing women to oppose patriarchalism and to defend their rights, feminism has transformed to the point of canceling the distinction between men and women (Sulivan 2007). Men and women are now largely viewed as individuals with meaningful existence, liberating them from the patriarchic burden of responsibilities. This has certainly been very helpful in achieving a more equal society. Women’s role in the development of the economy is increasingly being recognized. Available evidence indicates women to be powerful drivers of economic growth. A study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research found the high rate of women employment to be the driving force of the US economy. The study found that, if women had not entered the workforce over the last 30 years, the economy would have been 11% less. Today, we see several institutions including the World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID) campaigning for more involvement of women in economic development (Aguirre et al. 2012). According to the World Bank, encouraging the growth of women entrepreneurs is as sure way of fighting poverty. Women are poised to drive the global economy in the next coming decades. Estimates indicate that nearly 1 billion of women across the world might join paid labour over the coming decade (Aguirre et al. 2012). Criticism While there seems to be a progress in women’s socio-economic status driven by post-fordist relations and the neoliberal policies pursued by the several states, some countries continue to follow partriarchalism. Despite its inevitable demise, some countries tend to still follow partriarchal lines which subordinate women under men’s dominance. A good example can be seen with Saudi Arabia. A woman’s place in Saudi Arabia is still in the home. Saudi women continue to walk in the shadow of their men. For example, despite their obvious presence, they are not allowed to participate in the public sphere (Hamdan 2005). They are viewed as non-existing in the public sphere and are silenced in public life. They continue to be subordinated to male individuals in both private and public sectors despite their qualifications. While a progress seems to have been made with respect to their education, at the core of women’s education is sex segregation. Education in Saudi co ntinues to support the prevailing gender structures, implying lower social status of Saudi women (Hamdan 2005). Perhaps more shocking news is the fact that Saudi Women are not allowed to drive. While religious reasons are generally given for denying women the right to drive, it is clear that their place is still in the home. Also, even though many women have progressed economically due to their inclusion in workforce, only a few of them work in the management positions. In spite of the increasing number of women in workplace, many of them are concentrated in the lower-status occupations. For example, while the health sector comprise of 75% of the women workforce, they are concentrated n the lower status working either as nurses and midwifery personnel or as ‘caring’ cadres (WHO 2008). They are largely underrepresented at the managerial level and specialist categories such as dentists, pharmacists, and physicians. Feminist critique of sexism seems to have given justifica tion to new forms of exploitation and oppression. With more women joining the paid workforce, the ‘family wage’ model central to state-organized capitalism which viewed men as the ‘breadwinners’ and women as ‘home makers’ has now been replaced by the newer, more modern norm of ‘two-earner’ family (Fraser 2013). While this may sound like good news, the reality is that post-fordism and neoliberal ideas have resulted in depressed wage levels, increased job insecurity, exacerbation of double shifts and the increase in the number of working hours (Fraser 2013). What was once the ‘family wage’ in capitalism has now been replaced by a low-waged work. Majority of their work has not really brought liberation rather a ‘tedious reality’ far from the perceived image of a working woman (Frank 1999). They remain relegated to lower positions at work. Even with many women being employed either in full or part-time positio ns, they are not getting to the ‘top’. Also, where their role is clearly evident, women continue to suffer from some level of hostility and public disapproval. For example, when it comes to journalism, women have proved flexible and able to forge new approaches. Their adaptability to new approaches is clearly evident with their news coverage of the September 11 events, the overthrow of Taliban forces and the bombing of Afghanistan (Chambers 2004). Women journalists developed different angles in their approach to war journalism, thereby attracting more news audiences. Yet despite the critical role that they played, a heated public debate emerged about the risks of reporting in war zones. It is clear that despite their liberation from oppression, women are still defined in terms of men. As wives and mothers, women clearly continue to suffer from some level of hostility and public disapproval that men with families do not ( Chambers 2004 p.13) In addition, some recent even ts have pointed to the renewed crisis of capitalism. There is currently a crisis of profitability which is facing capitalism. The profit rates are falling and many firms have been laying off workers. British capitalism is particularly in a crisis given its relatively weak position compared to other imperialist nations (FRFI 2013). The current focus on the growth of the private sector implies that priority has been placed on industrial development over social objectives. Workers wages have been cut to a massive extent and unemployment seems to be growing. Given this crisis, capitalism is now insisting on women returning to their traditional roles as domestic workers (FRFI 2013). Neoliberal ideas contributing to sexism While the recent changes experienced by capitalism seem to have contributed to the recognition of women as gender equals, recent developments continue to enact sexism. For example, many advertisements of today show nude pictures of women. What this means is that the male gaze is invited and encouraged as women continue to become objects of the gaze. Moreover, many clubs continue to feature young women stripping, lap-dancing and flashing out their breasts in public (McRobbie 2009). A hyper-culture of commercial sexuality seem to be growing, an aspect that is clearly a repudiation of feminism. Even the young women journalists who through their education are ‘gender aware’ refuse to condemn such acts of commercial sexuality. It seems like the new female Subject is called upon by the society to withhold critique and to remain silent despite her freedom. Consumer and popular culture seem to be introducing invidious forms of gender re-stabilization by pretending to support fem ale success yet tying the female subject to new post-feminist neurotic dependencies (McRobbie 2009). In order to be considered a modern sophisticated girl, the female subjects choose to withhold their critique despite their obvious image as sexual objects of men’s gaze. With the progress seen with women’s socio-economic status, one might think that the feminists are happy to see the things they fought so hard to have come true. However, what has emerged is different from what was desired (Cornwall et al 2008). Neoliberal values seem to have created space under which women can be further oppressed and their core values undermined. The culture of neoliberalism has led to the idea of self-sufficiency and free choice. All that one has to do is to compete in the market place. Some women have even gone to great lengths to make themselves acceptable to the world of work by performing cosmetic surgery under the illusion of having freedom choice to make their own decisions (Gup ta 2012). Yet some of their work goes against their core values. Many women have ventured into the sex industry under the illusion of having control over their lives. They have chosen this kind of work in the spirit of freedom of expression of their sexuality and believe that the work is liberation from the drudgery of cleaning jobs (Gupta 2012). However, the so called freedom of expression is actually reducing them to the status of ‘commodity’ and as objects of ‘men gaze’. Feminism which once fought for the liberation of women from oppression has become entangled in a dangerous liaison with neoliberal efforts to build a free market society (Fraser 2013). It has led to the notion of ‘freedom of choice’ which ultimately has given rise to prostitution. Feminists’ perspective on prostitution, however, is an interesting one. Feminists argue that prostitutes are social workers and have in fact used their social concepts to contend for decrimi nalization of prostitution (Sullivan 2007). Feminists have formed strong links with prostitutes resulting in advances in the area of prostitution law reform. The feminist position of the sex industry is one that empowers women as long as they choose to participate. But what is progressive about women’s participation in prostitutionCan women really progress by becoming sexual objects and objects of male gazeWhat is revolutionary about legalizing prostitutionIn fact, legalizing prostitution just makes women to become sexual commodities. The fight against sexism that has long been fought for by feminists seems to have ended up again to encouraging it. The progress in women that we have seen so far will not continue if women continue to follow neoliberal ideology that values individual ‘choice’ and ‘freedom’ over emancipation. Selling their bodies will not provide them with independence and empowerment that they seek but rather it will just reinforce mal e power and privilege. Trafficking of women and children Further, neoliberal ideology has led to the growing trafficking of women and children. This is particularly evident in Asia and the pacific region where human trafficking has grown to become a booming business. Millions of children in the pacific region are traded to work in brothels or sweatshops. Human trafficking has not grown by accident but as a result of free trade and structural adjustments brought about by neo-liberalism. Sex trafficking is currently a growing market in some parts of Eastern Europe, most notably Romania and Albania (FRFI 2013) Conclusion There is no doubt that the socio-economic status of women has improved following the recent changes in capitalism. This is evident in their inclusion in the paid workforce, their enrollment in eductation and increased participation in the public sphere including in politics. However, to some extent, these changes have painted a gloomy picture with regard to the status of women. A vast majority of them continue to occupy positions at the low levels of the organization. Also they continue to suffer from some level of hostility and public disapproval. Neoliberal ideology has led to their increasing commodification and increased trafficking of women and children. A hyper-culture of commercial sexuality seem to be growing, an aspect that is clearly a repudiation of feminism. Nonetheless, a huge progress has been made. Today, there are many successful women in the capitalist society. In fact, many women seem to have embraced the capitalism and showed support of it due to their improved soc ial and economic status. If their status is to be further improved in post-fordist employment, policy initiatives must address the issues of women’s employment, skills and training (Burrows & Loader 2003). Furthermore, there is need for public policy to challenge the polarized labour market that has emerged from post-fordism. Neo-liberal policies which support the development of a polarized market are socially divisive. Also, feminist scholars need to caution Women against prostitution. Selling their bodies will not provide them with independence and empowerment that they seek but rather it will just reinforce male power and privilege Reference Acker, J., 2004. ‘Gender, capitalism and globalization’. Critical Sociology, vol. 30 (1), pp.17-41 Aguirre, D., Hoteit, L., Rupp, C. and Sabbagh, K., 2012. Empowering the third billion women and the world of work in 2012. Booz & Company McRobbie, A., 2008. The Aftermath of Feminism: Gender, culture and social change, pp. 1-95. Zygmunt, B., 2001. The Individualized Society. Polity press. Beck, Ulrich & Elizabeth Beck-Gernsheim, 2001. Individualization: institutionalized individualism and its social and political consequences. Sage publishers. Broomhill, R., 2001. ‘Neoliberal globalism and the local state: a regulation approach’. Journal of Australian Political Economy , No.48 Burrow, R. and Loader, B.D., 2003. Towards a post-fordist welfare stateLondon: Routledge Castells, M., 1996. The Power of Identity. Blackwell Castells, M., 1996. The Rise of the Network Society. Blackwell Chambers, D., Steiner, L and Fleming, C., 2004. Women and journalism. Routledge Clarke, S., 1990. The crisis of Fordism and the crisis of capitalism. University of Warwick. Cornwall, A., Gideon, J. and Wilson, K., 2008. ‘Introduction: reclaiming feminism: gender and neoliberalism’. IDS Bulletin, vol. 39 (6) Franks, S., 1999. Having None of It: Men, Women and the Future of Work, Granta. FRFI, 2013. Women’s oppression under capitalism. Revolutionary Communist Group [viewed on 3rd May 2014] available from http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/index.php/women-s-oppression/2850-women-s-oppression-under-capitalism Gupta, R., 2012. Has neoliberalism knocked feminism sideways[viewed on 3rd May 2014] available from http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/rahila-gupta/has-neoliberalism-knocked-feminism-sideways Hamdan, A., 2005. ‘Women and education in Saudi Arabia: challenges and achievements’. International Education Journal, vol.6 (1), pp.42-64 Harvey, Da., 1989. The Condition of Postmodernity. Blackwell. Jessop, B., 2008. Post-fordism and the state, UK, Lancaster Murphy, M., 2011. A progressive dialogue: building a progressive feminist movement in neo-liberal times. [viewed on 3rd May 2014] available from http://rabble.ca/news/2011/10/progressive-dialogue-building-progressive-feminist-movement-neo-liberal-times Price, R.G., 2005. Understanding capitalism part IV: Capitalism, culture and society. [Viewed on 2nd May 2014] available from http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/capitalism_culture.htm Stuart, H and Martin J, 1989. New Times: The Changing Face of Politics in the 1990s. Lawrence & Wishart Whelan, Imelda, 2000. Overloaded: Popular Culture and the Future of Feminism, The Women’s Press. Sullivan, B., 2007. Feminist approaches to the sex industry. Australia: University of Queensland World Health Organization (WHO), 2008. Gender and health workforce statistics. World Health Organization.

Cardiac case studies Essay

CS 2: 15 points K.R. is a 46-year-old man admitted to the emergency department with unremitting chest discomfort. The pain started while he was shoveling snow from his walkway. He had experienced chest discomfort with activity previously, but the pain had subsided with rest and he sought no medical help. This time the pain did not subside and became increasingly severe, radiating to his left arm and lower jaw. In the emergency department, an ECG and cardiac enzymes were obtained. The cardiac monitor showed sinus tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular complexes. K.R. was treated with 2 L nasal oxygen, tissue plasminogen activator, sublingual nitroglycerin, and IV morphine sulfate. When he was pain free, he was transferred to the cardiac unit for monitoring. Discussion Questions 1.What changes in â€Å"cardiac enzymes† would be consistent with a diagnosis of MI? Troponins(I and T specific to cardiac muscle cells), elevated between 4-6 hours after the inset of an acute MI and remains elevated for 8-12 days. Myoglobin-level increase within 1-4 hours after the onset of chest pain and highly sensitive but not very specific. 2.What is the most common precipitating event for MI? In the most cases of MI plaque rupture followed by thrombus formation at the site is the precipitating event. 3.What is the rationale for using tissue plasminogen activator in the management of ACS? Tissue plasminogen activator if fibrin specific. It binds to the fibrin of fresh clots and the resulting compound converts adjacent plasminogen into plasmin creating localized thrombolysis. 4.Why are morphine and nitroglycerin used to manage ischemic chest pain? It’s a high priority to truce myocardial stimulation by the sympathetic nervous system. Morphine sulfate reduces anxiety and catecholamine secretion and it can reduces preload. And nitroglycerin decreases preload and reduces MVO2. CS 3 15 points: C.J. is a 16-year-old high school student who is in the  clinic for a sports physical prior to beginning basketball practice. He has no known significant medical history, takes no medications, and has no allergies. A review of systems reveals only that C.J. gets â€Å"winded† earlier than most boys on the team. He attributes this to needing to get in better shape. The physical exam is unremarkable except for a grade III systolic murmur heard over the entire precordium. An echocardiogram and cardiac cath reveals a ventricular septal defect (VSD) with moderate pulmonary hypertension.Discussion Questions 1.A VSD is usually an acyanotic defect. Why is this?  The blood being shunted is oxygenated blood from the left ventricle shunted to the right because pressures on the left are higher. 2.What is the mechanism and significance of pulmonary hypertension? The mechanism of pulmonary hypertension is due to increased blood volume within the pulmonary circuit form the VSD. Pressure is the product of CO and vascular resistance. From this case pressure is high secondary to increased CO and the primary pulmonary hypertension, the cause is increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Pulmonary hypertension can lead to cor pulmonale and right-sided heart failure. 3.What other disorders besides VSD can produce a systolic murmur? How can character of the murmur and pattern of radiation be used to differentiate among these etiologic factors? Systolic murmurs can be produced by mitral valve prolapse, aortic or pulmonary stenosis, and mitral or tricuspid regurgitation. Heart sounds are produced in some different areas of the heart and have different characteristics: Aortic stenosis- right second intercostal space, mid systolic, crescendo decrescendo and radiates to the neck. 4.Is it necessary to close a VSD? What are the common complications of untreated VSD? No, it is mot always imperative to close VSDs spending on patient’s age,size of defect and degree of shunt. Common complications include- pulmonary hypertension, cardiomegaly, atrial dysrhythmia and right sided heart failure. Reference Richard N. Fogoros, M.D. Heart Disease Expert. About health. WebMD Web site. Available at: http://heartdisease.about.com/od/heartattack/g/CardiacEnzymes.htm. Published September 10, 2014. Accessed October 21th 2014. Anju T. Peters, Kathryn E. Hulse, Lydia A. Fibrin Deposition in Nasal Polyps Caused by Fibrinolytic Impairment through Reduction of Tissue Plasminogen Activator Expression. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 189:12, 1487-1493 Sepideh Jabbari, Hassan Ghassemian. Modeling of heart systolic murmurs based on multivariate matching pursuit for diagnosis of valvular disorders. June 21, 2011. Volume 41, Issue 9, Pages 802–811 Ventricular Septal Defects.Patient.co.uk.WebMD Web site. Available at:http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/ventricular-septal-defects. Published Mar 31, 2014.Accessed October 21th 2014. Alyson A. Tamamoto, MD.Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease. Case based pediatrics.WebMD Web site. Available at: http://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pedtext/s07c02.html.Published July 2013. Accessed October 21th 2014.

Breast Cancer And Its Effects On Cancer

Breast cancer begins as a group of cancer cells that invade tissues in the breast . When new cells form when they are not needed from the body or don 't die when they are supposed to, a build up of cells creates a mass of tissue called a tumor or lump. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the tissues of the breast. Mostly in women but can also occur in men. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women in America will have invasive breast cancer in her lifetime and it is estimated that†¦ and colleges revisited a previously studied subject of DNA Methylation of the hTERT gene in breast cancer to see if they could reproduce previous findings using a more practical method (1). MS-PCR is a cost efficient and simple non-time consuming process to perform; therefore, it is a practical way to amplify DNA in methylation studies. The hTERT gene codes for telomerase which is especially active in cancer cells. Methylation of the DNA in the -600 bp region upstream of the transcription site is linked†¦ are over two hundred types of cancer. (Professor Walkowicz) More than seven million people world-wide die every year from this terrible disease. (Professor Walkowicz) Over sixty percent of cancer is preventable but how do these statistics change when compared with gender? Is the mortality rate disproportional when it comes to sex? According to recent reports men are more likely to get cancer and die of cancer than women. For example, according to data compiled by Cancer Research UK, men were sixty†¦ Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers that affect a myriad of people in today’s society. â€Å"About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.† (Breast Cancer, 2016). Some people diagnosed with this type of cancer could have the opportunity to detect it early on due to screenings or self-evaluations. However despite early detection, it does not guarantee that the cancer can be treated in its entirety. Different stage levels decide the degree in which†¦ and the main reasoning for that would be breast cancer. During the 1970s-1980s breast cancer mortality increased as oppose to the 1990s-2013 when breast cancer mortality decreased by 37 percent due to early detection and mammography screening1. It is advised that women should perform their own exam at home daily, going along the breast extending into the armpits pressing firmly for any lumps or changes in the breast. Often times, at first, breast cancer could be asymptomatic, meaning showing no†¦ Breast Cancer Breast cancer has been the most concentrated on focus for finding a cure, asides from AID’s, for decades. It is a serious issue that plagues not only women, but, in some rare cases, men too. 1 in 8 United States women (approximately 12%) will develop some form of breast cancer, according to breastcancer.org. One should perform a self-examination once a month. There are 4 stages of breast cancer, with 4 being the most severe. To determine the stage of breast cancer, tumor size, lymph†¦ Breast Cancer It was not that long ago that the author this paper did not understand the entirety of what it meant when someone was told they had breast cancer. Although she had a basic understanding of the horrific consequences, she did not understand how complex and elusive cancer could be. She did not understand the difference between staging and grading tumors, nor the different tumor markers and what they meant. She knew chemotherapy and radiation were treatments, but knew very little about†¦ for breast cancer or cannot afford the costs for mammography screening. The CDC (2014) states that breast cancer is the number one leading cause of death amongst women in the United States. In the year 2014, it was estimated that there were over 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 62,570 new cases of situ breast cancer (Komen, 2014). According to the American Cancer Society (2014), 1 out of 8 women who are younger than 45 years old has been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and†¦ Breast Cancer impacts many people, whether it is the person that has the illness themselves, or even their families. Breast cancer affects the patient in ways such as â€Å"burning breasts, hair loss, liver issues, and going for blood every single week, not to mention having a weakened immune system, and being sick constantly†(Brentin), as described in an interview. Even after one becomes cancer free there are still so many complications from breast cancer. When asked what some of the changes to her body†¦ of different cancers that people tend to hear of. Cancer is abnormal cells that grow out of control and invade a healthy person’s body. When these cells do not grow normally things can go wrong. When cancer occurs it is because the cells divide more than they should and begin to form masses also known as tumors. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the most common type of cancer is breast cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in woman. Breast cancer is when the malignant†¦

Discussion Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion Questions - Essay Example Then the responsibility of the decision lies with the manager. In case the manager feels that the team can provide valuable inputs, he chooses facilitative decision making style. The team, thus, feels empowered and the morale of the team members increases. In such a case it is well communicated to the team that the responsibility of the decision lies with the team. The commonly used tool in my organization is the problem-option checklist. A list of problems is prepared against which the option/ solutions are mentioned and the best possible solution is chosen. In case of authoritative decision making, the leader selects the best possible option and communicates the same to the team. Some of the trainers complained that they were not getting valuable feedback from their trainees in lower levels of the hierarchy. Hence analyzing them and showing the training impact was difficult. The manager chose the facilitative decision making style. The team sat together and discussed that the answe rs they were getting were ‘good’, ‘yes’, ‘no’ etc. Thus the subjective feedback form should be replaced by and objective one for trainees from lower levels of hierarchy.

Economics by the rule of Obama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economics by the rule of Obama - Essay Example In California Insurance Exchange Subsidies and Tax credit, Obama-care subsidized those who ranged from 139% to 400% of federal poverty level; 400% poverty level is considered the yearly income of $45,000 for an individual and $62,000 for a family of two. Obama-care is an idea that has been evolving over many years, the initials of the idea started forming its shape when the economy had to see a downward trend, leaving many people jobless, facing money and related issues. It was becoming hard for the people to survive with little or no income. They had to find other sources and till the time they did they needed to have government support.In order to avail subsidies in California, the customer needs to sign up for an exchange program. The customer has to provide last year tax information, projected income, medical history, social security number, employer and income information, policy number, employer coverage tool, and any other information that could affect the health policy. There are different health insurance coverage programs that are available in the region of California these include bronze plan 60% would be paid by the insurance company and the rest of 40% would be paid by the customer, silver plan had a 70%/30% policy of expenses paid by the company and customer respectively, Gold Plan and Platinum plan which has a ratio of 80%/20% and 90%/10% accordingly. They designed a plan where the health insurance would be deducted from the part of their taxes, and no extra burden would be placed on the citizens.

Contemporary Management Accounting System Essay

Contemporary Management Accounting System - Essay Example Hopwood (1976), in his book ‘Accounting and Human Behaviour† had stated that, â€Å"Accountants and other members of the management team searching for means of understanding and improving standard setting and budgeting; must therefore see the process in its entirety and respond to it as a complex human and technical problem rather than one standing in technical isolation.† This implies that there has been a paradigm shift in the principles and practices of management accounting. Management accounting no longer comprises of only the technical aspect of accounting, but also the multifaceted management aspect of the business on the whole. The area of management accounting has undergone considerable changes during the past years. One of the major factors that had influenced the modifications in the management accounting practices have been the dynamically competitive and swiftly altering organizational environment that is prevalent today. Additionally, the present day business settings comprise of ongoing reformation in the working atmosphere, as well as continuing progress in the financial information arrangements. With the advent of new information system practices and the development of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, there has been a vast change in the management as well as financial accounting practices of modern day organizations. ... Hence, the role of management accounting professional were considerably influenced by the inclusion of various information systems as well as by the use of superior and efficient reporting tools (Roussoulis, 2007). Consequently, it can be stated that owing to these diverse changes in organizations leading to the emergence of modern contemporary organizations, the responsibilities of management accountants has been varying throughout the previous couple of decades. The modern accounting literature has constantly emphasised that there is a strong requirement for management accountants to diverge and deviate from the conventional bookkeeping role, to a more active role, that offers dynamic support to the organization’s management and comprises of rising involvement in business decision-making (Kaplan, 1995; Granlund & Lukka, 1997; Granlund & Lukka, 1998; Jarvenpaa, 2001). Furthermore, it has also been mentioned that the management accountants in the contemporary organizations are endowed with more responsibilities other than the routine categories of accounting tasks (Roussoulis, 2007). Under the prevalent business conditions, the management accountants of contemporary organizations are supposed to act like business partners for the management of the organization in addition to being change agents for the organization (Anthony & Govindarajan, 2007). The Concept of Management Accounting Management Accounting is one of the fundamental segments of the core management role of an organization. The management accounting practices comprises of the recognition, assessment, accretion, scrutiny, research, interpretation and correspondence of information that are required by the

Negotiation skill and conlfict Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Negotiation skill and conlfict - Assignment Example While negotiating, instead of using no one should yes, in order to develop better understanding with the other person. The third tip focus on the power of words. It has been said that words such as But, If, No, Or, Should, Could, create barrier between the two. Therefore, while negotiating words such as Yes, And, Let’s must be used. This video focuses on conflict and pathways for resolving conflict. Most people prefer to avoid conflict, other get sick or go on stress leave. The most common problem while dealing with conflict is denial that often extends the conflicts for weeks, months, and in some cases even years. It has been said that some people assume conflict as warfare, dead bodies, and blood on the streets. The correct definition of conflict has been provided which states as, â€Å"Conflict exists when one person has a need of another and that need is not being met†. In order to manage conflict, first the need should be expressed. Second, it must be sought if the need can be met or not. In case the need is not met and the person is afraid of negotiating for it then it leads to silent treatment, gossiping, backstabbing, shouting, and getting angry and aggressive. Therefore, stating in simple words, the resolution starts with expressing the need and negotiating the need without being afraid or nervo us. Quite often, conflict cost a lot to employers. As mentioned in the video, in the U.S. alone, conflicts causes employers $1 billion each year. Conflicts results due to difference in perspective or opinion, limited resources, and miscommunication. In order to control conflict, one needs to be aware enough regarding own self and others as well. Assertiveness refers to being aware of own self whereas for understanding others cooperativeness is required. There five styles that help in managing conflict. They include competing, avoiding, compromising, collaborating, accommodating. One can choose appropriate style for

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry Essay

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry - Essay Example New products contribute substantially to profitable sales (Drejer, 2002). The necessity of adding new products that will yield profits to sustain corporate growth is clear. Products also level out seasonal impacts, spread risks, use talents, capitalize on tax advantages, and replace obsolescent items. Sales and marketing work together in order to ensure effective service delivery and customer satisfaction processes. In lodging industry, business success depends on producing the right product at the right time. New-product development is risky, for market opportunity is couched in uncertainty and instability, and competitive system and the unpredictability of customer reaction increases the risk. in spite of benefits and opportunities proposed by this model, recent years there is a growing number of research studies proving its limitations and weaknesses for modern business. Applied to consumer behavior, it is possible to say that sales managers give a special attention to importance of channels of distribution and marketing mix. Distribution channels are the vehicles for matching companies with customers. They establish the arrangements and paths for the flow of product and title to ultimate users. They move products and information to markets and provide the funnel for the feedb ack of information to the producer. As networks of marketing agencies, they constitute a system-a loose but formal coalition of independent entities linked together to distribute products and services.. As the links between companies and markets, they can impede or foster the effectiveness of the rest of the marketing mix. Distribution channels cover a wide range of situations. At one end are found the complicated linkage of manufacturers and their branches, agents and brokers, other wholesalers, and retailers for the movement of certain consumer goods. At the other is the direct distribution of heavy machinery. Between lie a variety of channel assortments (Mintzberg et al 2004). Which one works best depends on the company and its products and markets at a certain time. Distribution channels are essential components of economic system. The efficient movement of goods and competition both depend on sales management. Nevertheless, as economists often assume, the channels do not perfor m cost-less activities. Using resources to sort supply and match it with demand, they try to bring both activities into balance. Through channels, companies organize supply and markets and endeavor to develop their own best opportunities (Drejer, 2002). In lodging and hotel industry, market segmentation is one of the main concepts used by marketing companies to divide the market between particular target groups and meet needs and wants of target customers. Divergent service policies adjust product lines to individual market segments -- they implement market segmentation. By assuming that demand is heterogeneous, market positioning strategy obtains a better match with distinguishable market segments. Service differentiation gives marketers a share of a broad, horizontal market, whereas market segmentation tends to result in cultivation of a market position in depth. Given

Managed care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managed care - Essay Example The graphical representation below illustrates that in the year 2013, employer-sponsored health insurance has been registered at less than 1% of employees in traditional fee-for-service plans. In the recent years, high-deductible health plans have gained popularity wherein the share of managed care registration has declined proportionately. Additionally, it has been noted that traditional health insurance has been in the stage of extinction today. It has been also identified that High Deductible Health Plans paired with a saving option (HDHP/SO) has been included in the survey of health plans registration from the year 2008 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014). The health care service, i.e. managed care, has its origin in the United States, but the tools of managed care have spread on a global context. Identifiably, in most of the European countries, general practitioners are entitled with the task of regulating access of the specialists and have responsibilities over a per capita annual budget (Deom et al., 2010). In the United States, managed care has evolved as necessary principally because employers are facilitated with the opportunity of strengthening the health insurance premiums, as compared to the struggles faced by the employers in terms of unaffordable excesses due to the uncontrolled delivery of services. In the insurance system that has existed before the managed care, insurance companies are recognized to overlook the need for any incentive for managing different aspects that included service delivery and payments related to the same. In this respect, due to the lack of controls in factors such as over delivery and payment, it has been identified that the employers had to face the issue relating to costs. Subsequently, a system is needed to be developed with the aim of controlling excessive costs by integrating delivery as well as payment with functions

How do you react Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How do you react - Essay Example Teachers commonly â€Å"write a descriptive narrative of each child's cognitive and social growth† (Brualdi). I remember that in my very early years in school, I specially looked forward to getting a star whenever I submitted any work for the teacher to check. Specially in Math, I had a star on every page. In order to maintain this honor, I would work even harder so that I might not miss a star on any of the pages. Those stars served as a big source of motivation for me. I felt pleased and encouraged. I would proudly show them to my fellow class mates and peers. Many years have passed since then, but I am just as sensitive to my teachers’ written comments on my work as I ever was. As I stated before, my academic record has always been very good, so poor comments have been extremely rare for me. However, if I ever happen to get bad comments, I take them as a lesson to judge my performance so that I can raise it to the level where the comments become nice. Teachersâ€℠¢ comments are of primary importance to me and I usually use them to make my writing better. Works cited: Brualdi, Amy. â€Å"Teacher comments on report cards.† Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, vol. 6. no. 5. 1998. .

Profile of Coca Cola Ghana Essay Example for Free

Profile of Coca Cola Ghana Essay The Coca Cola Bottling Company was first established in 1886 by Dr. John Styth Pemberton in the United States of America (Atlanta) and has since been enjoyed in over 200 countries worldwide including Ghana who started its operations in 1995. The company believes that to be successful in the changing world we need to continue to thrive as a business over the next twenty years and beyond, we must get ready for tomorrow today thats what our 2020 vision is all about. Our Mission To refresh the world To inspire moments of optimism and happiness To create value and make a difference Our vision We serve as the frame work for our roadmap and guide every aspect of our business by describing what we need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth. People: be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Portfolio: Bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples desires and needs. Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual and enduring values. Planet: be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities. Profit: Maximize long-term return to shareholders while being mindful of our overall responsibilities Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization. OBJECTIVES Increase sales by 100% by the end of 1st year. To be able to cover the whole country by the end of 2nd year. in non alcoholic beverage in future.

The Crisis Manchuria And Abyssinia

The Crisis Manchuria And Abyssinia I completely agree with this judgment, since the Manchurian and Abyssinian crisis did in fact fatally weaken the League of Nations. One could almost argue that both crises led to the destruction of the League, as they could be seen as the first links in a chain of events that led to the Second World War, which was to be entirely prevented by the birth of the League of Nations. The League proved to be incompetent, as it could not deal with both crises effectively. For instance, It was powerless against Japan (initiator of the Manchurian crisis) and Italy (initiator of the Abyssinian crisis), due to the league having no army to enforce its policies (It could only impose sanctions and a ban from the League), hence weakening itself, and ultimately leading to its destruction. However, it is also important to identify the weaknesses of the League that existed prior, as they may have guided the League into its fatal state. The devastation of the First World War horrified countries worldwide, with people living in fear and anguish, hoping to never encounter such an event again. To their salvation, the League of Nations was created, promising to maintain global peace and to prevent a Second World War. The League was established in 1919, under the sheer will of President Wilson, who wanted the League to be seen as a type of World Parliament. Here, international disputes or interests could be discussed formally, without the violent use of force. He also hoped that the League would stop all wars, improve peoples lives and jobs, improve public health, put an end to slavery, persuade nations to agree to disarmament (as this would make war impossible) and to enforce the Treaty of Versailles which acted as a peace treaty. Countries were in favor of these ideas, resulting in forty-two countries joining the League initially, which ascended to around sixty countries in the 1930s, strengthening the Leagues interna tional power. However, Even though the intentions of the League were positive, it failed miserably, as the League was incapable to deal with the major international disputes as it promised it could. The late 1930s put the Leagues true power to the test. During this decade, there was a world-wide economic Depression, where Japan was majorly affected. Japans government failed to deal with the Depression, and thus decided that it would have to occupy the whole of Manchuria (In China) as an only solution. This would have enabled Japan to have access to the regions valuable resources of coal and iron in an era where it was already difficult to purchase these vital raw materials. Japan, to it convenience, was soon provided with an opportunity to invade Manchuria. On 18 September 1931 a bomb exploded on the railway close to Mukden, where Chinese and Japanese soldiers were stationed. Japan instantly blamed on the Chinese, which instantly provided the desired excuse for Japan to occupy Mukde n and the entire southern Manchuria. China being a member of the League of Nations (Japan was too) desperately plead the League to help. Due to the weak organization of the League, the response to Chinas problem almost took an entire year. However, in response the council of the League asked Japan to withdraw its back to the railway region in Mukden. However, Japan decided not to do so, and turned Manchuria into a Satellite state of Manchukuo. Shortly after, Japan left the League of Nations, as it had no more further interests in the League. Its essential trades were offered by the USA; therefore the Leagues policy of sanctions was ineffective, as the USA never joined the League of Nations, giving Japan no economical punishment. The Geneva Protocol  [1]  was never ratified, therefore the League did not have an army to take military action, and war was absolutely out of the question. Britain (Head of the League of Nations), however, did not urge to take action against Japan, si nce neither the Government nor the people desired to fight a war purely without central British interests. Therefore the league was powerless in taking action against Japan, fatally weakening it. Some members of the League noticed this failure and realized how ineffective the League of Nations really is, and thus left the League, weakening it further. The Great Powers of the League  [2]  were unwilling use force against Japan, because of the self interest of a Great power (Britain) in Japans actions. Britain had secretly supported Japan and shared sympathy with Japanese action in Manchuria. And similar to Japan, Britain had some commercial interests in China, which were threatened by the ongoing chaos and civil wars. Therefore Japans invasion seemed to restore order to this issue, pleasing the British. This weakened the League, as the League could not take any action against Japan since a Great Power of the League secretly supported its actions. A few years later, in Europe, another fairly similar crisis began. Italy was trying to distract its people from the economic Depression, and therefore wanted to erect a large empire in Northern Africa. By invading Abyssinia, Italy would not only be provided with land for Italian settlers, but also connect Italian Somaliland with Eritrea, therefore putting most of the Horn-region of Africa under Italian rule. Mussolini  [3]  , by 1932, began his plans to invade Abyssinia, and On December 1934 Italian forces began to clash with Abyssinian troops and shortly after, in October, the long-desired invasion of Abyssinia began. Mussolini had no doubt that neither Britain nor France would intervene with his plans, giving him the perfect invasion plan and opportunity. However, while the French Foreign Minister, Laval, was promising Mussolini a free hand, Britain tried by all means necessary to find a compromise. Britain wanted to offer Mussolini a territorial compensation elsewhere or negot iate an arrangement which would give Italy effective control over Abyssinia avoiding a Formal Annexation. This already suggests that the Abyssinian crisis fatally weakened the League of Nations, since the League changed its policies (a Volte-face) when France supported the invasion and mostly when Britain offered Italy other suggestions of gaining territory. The policies of the League were collapsing and with it the league. Italy neglected the offers suggested by Britain and pursued its invasion of Abyssinia. In 18 October, the League condemned Mussolini and imposed a ban on weapon sales along with a gradually ascending program of sanctions. This had no effect, hence rendering the League powerless and fatally weakening the League. In the meantime, Britain and France were searching for an alternative compromise to Italys invasion. Pierre Laval and British Foreign Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, created a secret plan that may have been suitable for Mussolini. It involved giving Italy control over only two-thirds of Abyssinia. However, the plan was secretive and illegal and it somehow leaked into the French Press, which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Sir Hoare and the dropping of the plan. In addition, the League did not ban any oil exports to Italy, which was a vital trade, and the Suez Canal, where Italian ships could drift through, was refused to be closed because Britain feared war. Mussolini ha d no obstacles in his way and by May 1936 had overrun Abyssinia. Hence no action was taken against the invasion of Abyssinia, weakening the league, as it was powerless and ineffective in stopping the invasion. Both Powers Britain and France also feared the diplomatic consequences of alienating Italy over Abyssinia. Not only did the Abyssinian Crisis fatally weaken the League, but also provide Hitler with an ideal opportunity to remilitarize the Rhineland and recreate an all-powerful Nazi-Germany. This was to be entirely prevented by the League, as the Treaty of Versailles did not allow Germany to have an army, since she already began the First World War. Furthermore, the Franco-Italian friendship was destroyed and replaced by the Rome-Berlin Alliance (Axis), which enabled Hitler to absorb Austria in 1938 without Italian opposition, creating an even more powerful Germany. The Axis also threatened British and French communication in the Mediterranean, which would ultimately weaken the potential in future response, under German or even Japanese aggression. Soon after, Germany gathered sufficient power and the Second World War was inevitable. Overall, this fatally weakened the League of Nations and ultimately led to its destruction, because Germany was able to rebuild and become a strong Power agai n which later on led to the Second World War, where both were to be entirely prevented by the League. Members of the League realized ineffectiveness of the League and instead left the League to prepare for war, fatally weakening the League as it no longer had loyal members. The League created more problems than solutions, weakening itself, since it should have been in control which it was not. Instead of finding an effective solution to solve the crisis, it somehow found a way to damage itself and put itself under risk, ultimately destroying it. The Manchurian and Abyssinian crisis did in fact fatally weaken the League of Nations. One could almost argue that both crises led to the destruction of the League, as they could be seen as the first links in a chain of events that led to the Second World War, which was to be entirely prevented by the birth of the League of Nations. The League proved to be incompetent, as it could not deal with both crises effectively. For instance, it was powerless against Japan in its invasion of Manchuria, since the League had no army to fight against Japanese aggression. Also the self interest Britain had in Manchuria provided Japan with protection, therefore fatally weakening the League. In the Abyssinian crisis, the League was powerless once more and could not take any action against Italy as they favored Italy (to support against Nazi-Germany) rather than the loss of Abyssinia. It tried to implement sanctions and a ban on sales of weapons, but this had no effect on Italy. Due to the failure in Abyssinia, Germany was capable of rebuilding, and thus ultimately leading to a Second World War. Members of knew that a Second World Was threatened, hence fatally weakening the League as it no longer had loyal members. The Abyssinian and Manchurian crises fatally weakened the League of Nations and ultimately led to its destruction.

Example Of Television Advertising Campaign Marketing Essay

Example Of Television Advertising Campaign Marketing Essay Choose a company or a brand of a product of service in NZ. Focusing on the integrated marketing communication system of the company. I choose McDonald. I would explain McDonald focusing on the integrated marketing communication system. McDonalds Promotion strategy is Think Global Act Local. Moreover, im lovin it is a key part of McDonalds promotion strategy to link with customers in highly relevant, culturally important ways around the world Example of Television Advertising Campaign The advertising goal of this television advertising is to support back up sale promotion campaign, and to advise the customer serving new promotion of McDonalds menu. Certainly, the speedy delivery service is a special selling point of McDonalds. When I saw this advertising at the first time, I want to provide McDonalds delivery service because its a speedy service and delicious and interesting menus. I think this advertising strategy employ the emotion to hold the customers. After seeing this adverting, I want to provide McDonalds because of speedy delivery service, and interesting promotion. Advertising Campaign McDonalds has a wide scope of McDonalds campaign in many countries. Moreover, it focuses on average their brand name but localizing their advertising campaign. In New Zealand, television advertising campaign aimed specifically the children and teenager. The main goal of television advertising to make customer awareness the new products (menus). Public Relations McDonalds in New Zealand use the public relation using the internet media like MSN to update the new goods and hot promotion on it, so it is simple way for the person who likes McDonalds. Matter of fact, an amusing activity is a good method of McDonalds public connection to promote brand image McDonalds focuses on helping seek settlement for problem facing families and children today. The main goal is to certain needs of improving the lifestyle of underprivileged children. Q2-Identify and describe the elements of promotional mix they use in their integrated marketing communication. There are five main fields of a promotional mix.[1 ]These are: Advertising Announcement and promotion of thinking, services or goods, or by an identified sponsor. Examples: radio, Print ads, television, direct mail, billboard, ,brochures and catalogs, signs, posters, in-store displays, motion pictures, banner ads, Web pages, and emails. Personal selling -Personal selling is effective in influencing the buying process, specially make buyers favor, confidence and action. Examples: sales meetings, Sales presentations, incentive programs for intermediary salespeople, sales training, samples, and telemarketing. Can be via telephone or face-to-face. Sales promotion non-media and media marketing communication are hired for limited time, a pre-determined to increase stimulate market demand, consumer demand or improve product availability. Examples: sweepstakes, coupons, contests, product samples, self-liquidating premiums, rebates, trade-ins, trade shows, and exhibitions. Public relations Paid close stimulation of supply for goods, service, or business unit by planting important news about it or a satisfactory presentation of it in the media. Examples: magazine and Newspaper articles/reports, radios and TV presentations, speeches, charitable contributions, seminars, and issue advertising. Direct Marketing is a system of marketing by which organizations communicate directly with target customers to generate a response and/or a transaction. For example, email, mobile messaging, interactive consumer websites, fliers, online display ads, promotional letters, catalog distribution ,and outdoor advertising. Q3-Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each element in the promotional mix. The major marketing communication tools, including advertising, public relations, sales promotion, direct and online marketing, and personal selling are discussed below. The advantages of advertising are that first, advertiser controls the message. Second, cost effective method to communicate with large customers. Third, effective method makes symbolic appeals and brand images. Fourth, often it can be effective method to touch immediate chord with consumers. The disadvantages of advertising are that first, high cost of producing and running ads. Second, it caused credibility problems and consumer skepticism. Third, difficulty is in determining effectiveness. Fourth, it is only a one-way communication. The advantages of personal selling are first, direct contact between seller and buyer permits for more flexibility. Second, it can tailor sales message to detailed needs of consumers. Third, it allows for more direct and immediate feedback. Fourth, sales efforts can be aimed to detailed markets and customers who are best vision. The disadvantages of personal selling are first, high costs per contact. Second, expensive way to reach large audiences. Third, difficult to have constant and uniform message conveyed to all customers. The advantages of sales promotion are divided 2 parts, consumer-oriented and trade-oriented. The consumer-oriented is targeted to the eventual users of service or a product. ex) coupons, sampling, contests, sweepstakes. The trade-oriented is targeted toward marketing intermediaries like wholesalers, retailers or distributors. ex) promotion allowances, price deals, trade shows. The advantages of public relations are first, it can reach many prospects that are difficult for other communication tools. Second, a combination of public relations with other communication tools in the business campaign can be very effective and economical. The advantages of direct marketing are first, alters in society have made consumers more capacity to direct marketing. Second, Permit marketers to be very target specific segments of customers and selective. Third, messages can be customized for specific customers. Fourth, effectiveness is easier to measure. The disadvantages of direct marketing are first, absence of customer receptivity and very low reply rates. Second, it has image problems-particularly with telemarketing. Third, it can be clutter. The advantages of interactive/internet marketing are first, it can be used for kinds of IMC competence. Second, messages can be tailored to detailed needs and interests of customers. Third, interactive leads to higher level of involvement. Fourth, it can supply a lot of information to customers. The disadvantages of interactive/internet marketing are first, internet is not yet a mass medium as many consumers lack access. Second, attention to internet ads is very low. Third, great deal of clutter on the internet. Fourth, customer measurement is a big problem on the internet. I did not analyze Q4 because I do not know what the message structure in the promotional mix tool. But I did my best what I could do. Thank you for reading my assignment.

The Comparison and Contrast of I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud & The Prese

‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ and ‘The Preservation of Flowers’: two notable poems, two very different styles of writing. This essay will look at their contrasts and similarities, from relevant formal aspects, to the deeper meanings hidden between the lines. We will look at both writers use of: rhyme scheme, sound patterning, word choice, figurative language and punctuation. The essay will also touch a little on the backgrounds of the writers: themselves, and their inspiration, with the intention of gaining a greater understanding of both texts. The structure and form of both poems is evidently dissimilar. Wordsworth’s poem follows a clear rhyme scheme: ABABCC; and contains four stanzas of six lines each. In each stanza, the first line rhymes with the third, the second with the fourth and the stanza concludes with a rhyming couplet. Bird’s sixteen line- narrative verse does not follow any formal rhyme scheme. She describes full rhyme as being â€Å"too strident†E1 for her personal taste. Choosing instead: to use consonance and near rhymes. Despite this seemingly unconventional style with which the poem is written, it does follow an iambic pentameter, with every line containing five stressed syllables, except line 13 which contains six. ‘Cer-tain cus-to-mers, he slips an ex-tra rose’13. This is a very clever play on words, using the term ‘extra rose’ to mirror the extra syllable in the line. This patently demonstrates Bird’s astute understanding of structure and form. She explains – â€Å"There's a poetry joke in there too - each line has five stresses, but the 'extra rose' line has six stresses. An extra rose, an extra stress.†E2. This again presents another parallel to Wordsworth’s lyric, where the meter is not u... ... he has a point. Contrary to this statement however, there remains the reality: that without dissection and close analysis, the true meanings encoded within these two texts, might remain perpetually esoteric. Bibliography .T Furniss & M Bath. 1996. Reading Poetry: an introduction. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. .Preface to Lyrical Ballads, in Wordsworth (1968) Lyrical ballads, pp. 241-72, 246. ‘Organic sensibility’ refers to the responsiveness of the senses. See ‘The Tables Turned’, in Wordsworth (1968) The Lyrical Ballads, pp. 105-6. .Internet 1 http://www.enotes.com/william-wordsworth/q-and-a/what-elements-nature-daffodils-poem-144087 .Internet 2 http://www.wordsworth.org.uk/poetry/index.asp?pageid=101 .Internet 3 http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/2337.html .Internet4 http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html

Got Trees?The New American Youth Counterculture :: essays research papers

Brad turns to his companion Les. He is wearing an oversized t-shirt sporting some trendy pop-culture phrase that has long since lost any reference or significance. He sports jeans that are neither loose nor tight, very functional. Brad is in essence, every man America. Les is a skinny short boy, pale with frizzy blond hair. He too is dressed in a peculiar sort of anti-fashion, a fashion so slyly plain and unrecognizable that it defies the very nature of fashion itself. They are both seventeen. "Yo, when’s Tim coming back with our trees? I need to blaze before I go home." Engaged in the continuing struggle to find marijuana, Brad is neither distressed nor overly excited, but displays a Taoist sort of calm. Les responds with an ambivalent answer and a request - "What's the best kind of music to listen to while you're high?" In this simple question, Les may anticipate the next wave of marijuana culture. But to understand the cultural currents and nature of th is existential convergence, we must first dive deeper into what has become the most genuine counterculture of modern times. Marijuana was originally viewed as merely another tool for spiritual short cuts and mind expansion. At this point, it was confined to an elite group of self-righteous hipsters who could find no better way to communicate the essence of the drug that outdated modes of artistic expression. However, in post-psychedelic America, marijuana soon took on a new, more democratically inspired significance. Marijuana became a more recreational drug, soon finding its way into the melting pot for subversive trend, teenage America. Marijuana is a mild hallucinogen, but really it's more like a combination of speed and rat poison, only not bad for you. Marijuana makes each moment significant. The now takes on supreme importance. The future and the past become no longer points for idle speculations, but reductions of functionality constrained by the now. It is this post-temporal affect that serves to liberate users from their previous outdated modalities of experience-defined enjoyment. Experience is secondary to the transcending reality of every moment. Cognizant of the fact that meaningful experience is really quite unlikely, these post-hedonists embrace the continuation of their culture as a surrogate for experience; when the now is the all, an experience is created. There is little risk of long term consequence, as they recognize the danger in harder drugs like ecstasy, which is a combina tion of coke and heroin, and LSD, which is essentially pure speed.

Religion Support And Education Essay -- essays research papers fc

Religion Support and Education As it stands, we are the transition stage. We have no structure, there is no black and white, we live in a clouded time. All questions are being answered again, because the past is no longer the present. No person knows if our corrections are correct, but they do know it is what the majority wants. The question which is rarely looked at, and that will be looked at in this paper, is the effects which this transition is having on society. This paper is going to attempt to reveal the results, of the removal of religious education and support. The literature involved is going to display the direct, and indirect effects, of not being brought up to believe a certain religion, but to choose your own, no matter what it is. The past beliefs on religious support and education are displayed in the words of Aristotle; "Moral virtues come from habit... The habits we form from childhood make no small difference, but rather they make all the difference." 1 Our society has decided that the habits referred to by Aristotle, do not matter, when involving religion. Statistics tend to show a different result than what our present society feels. This paper is dealing with several different valid sources, which mesh together to make a collective statement. This statement is that the lack of religious support is one of the main reasons why society and its morals are decreasing. World Vision of Canada has published as of November 1993 statistics dealing with the attendance of church and youth, which states; Canada's church attendance, in all denominations has decreased by twenty-five percent in adults and fifteen percent in youth. In Britain Adult attendance is down ten percent and youth attendance is down nine percent. In France the adult attendance is down thirteen percent, statistics for youth where not available. Australia's adult attendance has decreased twenty-seven percent, and the youth attendance was not available. The most considerable changes have occurred in the United States were fourty-one percent of the adult attendance has decreased, and thirty-five percent of the youth attendance has decreased. 2 These statistics display the implications of the removal of religious education ... ...r society is suffering. But- it states that the absence of religion in our society is a contributing factor. Because- religion promotes such values, as marriage and commitment, while disapproving of such things as suicide and abortion. BIBLIOGRAPHY Context. Mississauga, Ont: Marc Canada, 1993. FRC. (http://frc.org/townhall/frc/press/121995c.html). "Divorce Issues". 1995. FRC. (http://www.townhall.com/townhall/FRC/infocus/if95c4wl.html). "Abortion Statistics".1995. Korman, Sheila K and Leslie Gerald R. The Family In Social Context(Sixth Edition). Toronto, Ont: Oxford University Press, 1985. O' Bireck, Gary M. Not A Kid Anymore. Toronto, Ont: Nelson Canada, 1996. Waters, F. W. The Way In The Way Out. Toronto, Ont: Oxford University Press, 1967. ENDNOTES 1 Not A Kid Anymore. (Toronto; Nelson Canada, 1996) p.87. 2 Context. (Mississauga; Marc Canada, 1993) p. 32 3 Ibid. p. 47. 4 Ibid. p. 47. 5 Ibid. p. 52. 6 Ibid. p. 67. 7 Not A Kid Anymore. (Toronto; Nelson Canada, 1996) p.95. 8 Abortion Satistics. (http://www.townhall.com/townhall/frc/infocus/if95c4wl.html, 1995.) 9 Ibid. 10 Divorce Issues. (http://frc.org/townhall/frc/press/121995c.html, 1995.)

Hnd Judge How the Business and Cultural Environments

HND Business Birmingham Metropolitan College Mathew Boulton Campus Riddle of the day A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be? 3. 3 judge how the business and cultural environments shape the behaviour of a selected organisation This builds to answer; Judge how Lloyds TSB has been behaviour has been affected by political, economic, social, technical, legal, and environmental pressures.Industrial concentration Over the last 100 years the size of firms has generally been increasing. 50 years ago in the UK most shops were privately owned and supplied the local area, however over time larger shops have become more and more important. Tesco for instance is a huge employer in the UK and now serves millions of customers with an estimated one in every seven pounds spent on retail being spent in Tesco, it has now extended well beyond the UK and is operating in many different companies.In 2002 Walmart was the biggest earning firm in the world, with an annual revenue of $219 billion. This was a higher figure than the GDP of many countries. As a general rule different industries are dominated by a smaller number or larger firms. This trend is referred to as industrial concentration. How has industrial concentration been achieved? It has happened in a number of different ways, primarily many of the firms have naturally gained in size, e. g. opened more and more stores, or built bigger and bigger factories.However it has also been achieved through mergers, where firms combine themselves together And By takeover where one firm will buy out another firm Why grow in size? One of the major reasons or advantages of growing in size is to achieve economies of scale. Merger as a method of growth Mergers offer firms a great advantage because over night they can grow substantially, they can become more secure, gain great econ omies of scale and have greater diversity. Case study Barclays In 2003 Barclays Bank was looking for a major European Bank to merge with.It started looking at mergers for three main reasons Barclays had previously been a target for a takeover, by being a larger organisation it is a lot harder to become a target for takeover The bigger it becomes the greater the economies of scale it could gain It allowed Barclay’s access to European markets, far more easily than setting up its own branches abroad. Merging gave Barclays overnight access to a large customer base that was already established, additionally it gave Barclays technical experience of Europe.What economies of scale do you think Barclays gained from expanding abroad? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Vertical mergers Vertical mergers are mergers of firms in the same chain of production, for example a brewer merging with a farmer (producing the raw ingredients hops) or a brewer merging with a pub. Both of these are examples of vertical mergers because they are in the same chain of production e. g. eer The brewer merging with the farmer would be a vertical backwards merger, because the brewer is merging with someone at an earlier stage in the production chain. From the farmers point of view merging with the brewer would be a forward vertical merger, because he is merging with someone at a later stage of production. Motives for vertically backward mergers Firms can gain a number of advantages by vertically merging backwards these might include Economies of scale Guaranteed supply Not supplying competitors without knowledge (might mean not supplying any competitors) Motives for vertically forward mergersMost manufacturers never sell directly to t he public, they rely on retailers to do it for them, by merging with a retailer demand for your product is guaranteed. You can stop your competitors products being stocked (or controlling them, e. g. charging a higher price for them Key factors in a merger Both firms must feel they are gaining from it, they must both feel they are gaining more control Horizontal mergers A horizontal is where firms at the same stage of production merge. These firms usually produce the same goods and are usually at least to some extent in direct competition with each other.Motives for horizontal mergers Greater efficiency, for example getting rid of duplicated management roles Greater use of staff, under-utilised staff might be used at another plant or location Greater control of the market Greater combined buying power, therefore gain economies through bulk buying. Job saving, redundancies almost always follow mergers, and this creates cost savings for the new organisation Eliminate competition; what better way to eliminate a competitor than to merge with them, this helps reduce down competition and mean price competition is reduced. We have seen how governments may oppose this) Increase market share, you will gain new customers, possibly in locations where you didn’t have any before Examples of horizontal mergers P & O and Stena Line merged in November 1997 saving 1000 out of a combined workforce of 5000 Commercial Union and General Accident merged, the merger caused nearly 3000 redundancies Lateral mergers Lateral mergers are where two firms that are at the same stage of production, but where the products do not directly compete. For example a brewery with a soft drinks manufacturer. The products are likely to be sold in the same places, e. . shops, restaurants, pubs etc, but they do not compete directly against each other. They do not lure each other customers away. So a pension company (Scottish Widows) merged with Lloyds TSB, they didn’t compete directly agai nst each other, but they were in a related market. Reasons for lateral mergers Economies of scale can be gained, but one of the major reasons will be to have a wider range of customers in more diverse markets. Both firms will have access to customers they didn’t have before. The new firm only gains in customers from the combined companies E. Lloyds TSB could access customers from Scottish Widows, and Scottish Widows had access to a lot more customers than it had before at Lloyds TSB. Conglomerate mergers This is a merger where the two firms have nothing in common, for example a brewery and a washing machine manufacturer. The two have nothing in common Reasons for conglomerate mergers Some economies of scale can be gained, but mostly it is risk bearing that is the major drive, both firms are more likely to be secure in the new form where they have a combined much wider range of products over possibly a much wider area Case study The merger of Carlton and GranadaIn 2003, Carlto n and Granada TV companies announced their intention to merge and form a firm worth about ? 4. 1 billion. It was estimated that the new company would control about 50% of the television advertising market. Advertisers and media agencies both expressed their fears over the potential creation of a single airtime sales house if the two existing houses owned by the two companies combined. The Competition Commission decided that an investigation was in order, and they produced a 456 page report into the proposed merger. What are the benefits for the two companies in merging? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Why was the Competition Commission so concerned over the merger? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Multinational corporations Perhaps an inevitable consequence of industrial concentration was the multinational corporation. These are firms that have extended beyond their native counties and have become global organisations, that in many cases are worth many billions. Why have they grown? Beyond economies of scale there are other advantages, a firm might be nearer its customers, be able to modify its product and not have to pay import duty. Other advantages can include lower labour costs i n other countries Lower production costsBeing closer to raw materials (therefore transport costs are reduced) Growth of multinationals There has been a rapid increase in multinationals from 7000 in 1970 to 40,000 in 1995. More than half of multinationals come from five counties United States, Japan, Germany, France and the Netherlands By going global many of these firms have been able to expand hugely, some are economically more significant then small countries. Exxon for instance has comparable economic size to Chile BP which is the UK’s largest multinational is placed as being more economically significant than Cuba, or UruguayConcerns about multinationals Many people are concerned over multinationals, concerns include Power they have over many governments due to their size Some have been accused of exploiting cheap labour They control many of the planets resources, e. g. gas and oil is largely controlled by a number of multinationals. Financing growth Not only can firms ga in money to grow from the traditional routes of borrowing money from banks, they can also gain revenue from rights issues and venture capital. Rights issuesIf a firm is expanding it may well look to its existing shareholders to help finance that growth Rights issues allow shareholders to buy new shares in the company in proportion to what they already own, usually at a better price. So if a firm was planning to expand shareholders will be contacted and asked to see if they want new shares in this new venture, shareholders will be offered preferential rates (it is usually seen as a reward for shareholders) The firm gains extra revenue, but with a huge advantage that it doesn’t need to pay the money back (like a bank loan) If a shareholder wants to get their money back they will sell the shares.Both firm and shareholder can see it as a good option, hence forth it is a popular way to raise revenue. Venture capital Venture capital firms, or individuals will look to see if they ca n get a good bargain. This is very much want the Dragons on Dragon’s Den aim to do. Venture capital firms will inject money into the firm, but often will gain a significant share of the business as part of the deal. They may well want to have directors positions and may also want some kind of control in the business. This is not always a bad thing for the business, where the new company can gain valuable management help from the venture capital firm.Venture capital investment can happen at a number of different stages Seed investment; providing at the very earliest stage, possibly before a product has been fully realised Early stage investment; helping a firm in its opening stages, which can quite often be a difficult time for a business Expansion and later stage financing; helping a more mature company to expand Turnaround financing; helping failing firms to regain themselves Joint ventures Joint ventures are very similar to mergers, this will be where two firms form a separ ate division or new company.It will be financed and staffed by both companies, it might be used for instance for one firm trying to break into a new market, or a new country. By using a joint venture a company might gain all the experience of another firm, adding to its own advantages. However no upheaval or loss of staff. Outsourcing This is where an individual or another firm carries out some of the operation of the business, for example carries out the cleaning services carried out at the organisation. The firm gains by using outsourcing by Saving money that it doesn’t have to spend on training staff There are no recruitment costsThere are no issues with redundancies or sacking of staff because they are employed by another company The firm can start a new service very quickly by using outsourcing By outsourcing it may be easier to get the experts needed. The firm wont have to worry about covering staff absences, the firm doing the contracted outsource work will have to wor ry about it instead. It can offer a quick and cheaper alternative (because there are no recruitment costs etc) to employing staff at the firm It is very good if the service is only needed in the short term. Technology and innovationResearch and development is very expensive and doesn’t always work. However if it does work it can offer the firm huge advantages offering a new product or service that wasn’t available before. Because of copyright, many of these products will remain exclusive to the firm. Research and development is effectively another economy of scale, because usually only the large firms can afford it, and can afford it when it goes wrong. It is usually just major corporations that carry out research and development. Top 11 research and development companies 2002 1 Ford 2 General motors Siemens 4 Daimler Chrysler 5 Pfizer 6 IBM 7 Ericsson 8 Motorola 9 Matsushita Electric 10 Cisco 11 GlaxSmithKline Looking at the above firms, what are the main areas that r esearch and development is carried out for? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Why do you think these areas have a lot of research and development carried out in them? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Labour market trends A very important consideration for businesses is the state of the labour market. A higher rate of unemployment gives a firm an advantage to pick suitable workers from a wider pool. The bigger the choice the easier it is for them to get the right member of staff, and significantly without increas ing wages. As the pool of workers reduces down so it is harder to get the right worker.On a similar basis the skills of the workforce are also very important, many positions in firms may require significant training. Proportion of managers with qualifications 2003 | All| Men| Women| Degree or equivalent| 48%| 55%| 39%| Higher education| 38%| 44%| 33%| A – level equivalent| 23%| 25%| 18%| GCSE or equivalent A – C| 17%| 22%| 13%| Looking at the above figures what doe it suggest is the trend between managerial position and qualification †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Generally the UK government realises the need of UK business for a more skilled workforce. This was behind the labour parties policy of encouraging high er education amongst the population and encouraging modern apprenticeships. However this has still not been enough. Many firms have looked outside of the UK for skilled workers at a lower cost. Additionally with the growth of communications technology it is easier for firms to employ members of staff in other countries. PEST of Lloyds TSB Lloyds Banking Group plc is a financial services group based in UK.It was initially known as Lloyds TSB Group plc and covers 40 countries in the world. However, its primary market is UK and it operates in three verticals namely, retail banking, wholesale and international banking and insurance and investments. The Lloyds Banking Group plc acquired the Halifax Bank of Scotland plc or the HBOS on January 16th this year (Company Profile par. 1) The subprime crisis which started in the US had its effect on those countries whose financial companies were participating in the US based risky financial instruments.UK was one of those countries and approxima tely around November 2007 the banking sector saw the unfurling of a major crisis (Caine). $323 billion was the amount of total assets write-down and credit loss in the world’s top 100 banks till May 2008. Amongst these, UK banks were also present; HBOS had a loss of $5. 9 billion while RBS or Royal bank of Scotland lost $15. 2 billion (Onaran). Due to the subprime and credit crisis towards the end of 2008 UK went into recession and since then the crisis has deepened. This is evident from the fact that the UGK GDP has declined further by 1. % in the period between January- March 2009. This has also been the sharpest decline since 1979. It is being predicted that the fall in GDP would be even more than 3. 5%, which was the common estimation among experts last year. The IMF has also predicted that the UK economy would decline by 4. 1% in 2009 (Monaghan par. 1, 3, 5, 13). But in comparison to other EU members the UK economy is in a slightly better condition. Yet public finances w ill be in a very bad condition in comparison to its EU member states. Also, the country’s government deficit is predicted to be amongst the worst in EU for the next year (Giles, par. , 2, 10). Macro economic forecasts by different agencies have also predicted a depressing picture for the economy in the near future. GDP growth is predicted to be less than 0. 5% in 2010 while the Retail Price Index inflation is going to be between 2% to 2. 5%. Consumer Price Index inflation on the other hand is predicted to be at 1. 5%. Current account for 2010 would be at least -? 26 billion by April (Forecasts for the UK economy 12-13). http://mb atermpapers. om/an-analysis-of-lloyds-tsbs-current-strategic-position-part-i/ PESTEL Analysis of the Banking Crisis and Royal Bank of Scotland POLITICAL There are numerous entities comprising RBS’s political arena, including but not limited to: The Bank of England (BOE), BOE’s Monetary Policy Committee, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Fin ancial Services Authority (FSA), HM Treasury, HM Treasury’s UK Debt Management Office, UK Financial Services and Markets Tribunal (which provides judicial review of the FSA), and Treasury Select Committee (which reviews HM Treasury’s activities).Each entity influences RBS’s ability to compete in a highly regulated sector. Each entity’s influence originates from their ability to sway and/or enact legislative acts which envelope RBS’s investment activities, reporting procedures, costs of capital, international participation and horizontal and/or vertical integration. The overall political mood of these government entities during the current banking crisis inculcates numerous feelings and perspectives, including but not limited to such attitudes as   i). angst about available credit to businesses and consumers; ii). repidation towards watchdog groups like rating agencies and government inspectors; and iii). worry concerning free market capitalism an d the nationalization of key industrial sectors. Immersed in such a political atmosphere, RBS’s expectations include augmented publicly scrutiny regarding loan portfolios and lending activities, even greater banking regulation, increased governmental activities such as inspection parameters and enhanced reporting requirements. RBS’s political arena is struggling to recompense constituents for the government’s inability to stave off volatility despite huge expenditures of taxpayer dollars.RBS will identify trend lines in each governmental entity in order to position each entity into a governmental landscape attempting to redefine itself as a public body capable of ascertaining significant risks to the economy. By analyzing the decisions of entities like the BOE, FSA, UK Financial Services and Markets Tribunal, and Treasury Select Committee – RSB may fully assess the country’s political framework, the direction being taken by the government on a per entity basis and the ramifications upon the socio-economic canvas.One political activity is the HM Treasury’s establishment of the Bank Recapitalization Fund and the UK Debt Management Office’s 2008 Credit Guarantee Scheme. These programs are part of the Government’s attempt to stabilize the financial system and to protect and promote confidence in depositors, borrowers and other clients of RBS and other financial institutions. Under these programs the government will possess the capacity to set RBS’s dividend policies and bonus schemes. It will also require RBS to support lending to small businesses and home owners. Moreover, in October 2008 the HM Treasury purchased approximately ? billion in RBS preference shares[1], for which RBS will have to pay approximately ? 600m per annum. The government also underwrote a ? 15 billion share issue for Royal Bank of Scotland – as a result of which the government gained a 58 percent stake in the company. The performance of RBS’s Corporate and Global Banking divisions – in an atmosphere inundated with public and private institutions who failed to ascertain an accurate picture of the credit markets and banking industry – may be expected to benefit from funds made available from HM Treasury’s programs.Regarding the FSA, it has been perceived by some to be relatively weak and ineffective. FSA behavior is often criticized as being reactive rather than proactive. Some banking experts assert the FSA has allowed irresponsible banking and the FSA’s ineptitude may have precipitated the credit crunch. Indeed, the public acquisition of Northern Rock in mid-February 2008, and the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB are key indicators that the FSA may have failed to oversee with insight and expertise.Once recent activity is that in September 2008, the FSA announced a ban on short selling to reduce volatility in difficult markets, including financial institutions. Another recent activity is the FSA’s Consultation paper entitled ‘Financial Services Compensation Scheme reform’. Published in January 2009, the paper recommends that a potential seven-day time limit, after the collapse of their account providers, for paying out to depositors could be imposed on the Financial Services Compensation Service (FSCS) in future.FSA also recommended a simplification for the eligibility parameters for depositors and for the processes of account providers transferring their customers’ information on the FSCS. ECONOMIC: The economic state of the nation will propel RBS towards activities based on reduced GNP growth, reduced demand for credit, decreases in consumer confidence and reductions in revenue sourced from interest rate spreads. However, clients in RBS’s Wealth Management division may realize long term gains if the market is currently near the bottom and grows in the future.With historical lows in interest rates and a monetary policy flooding the banking sector, RBS may capitalize upon low costs of capital and potential increases in the demand for credit. However, due to the economic climate, RBS is expected to be substantially risk averse and may avoid the tried and true real estate market. Large and small businesses seeking working capital, companies seeking merger financing and product development financing are potential opportunities for RBS given the current real estate climate.RBS’s may be expected formulate strategic merger opportunities, gravitate towards a greater risk averse position, raise capital through selling assets and increase the quality of its capital base. RBS may sell assets like its 10% stake in Bank of China[2]. The RBS has also placed t its near-1,000 pub estate up for sale, as it looks to improve its balance sheet with cash holdings[3]. RBS is also poised to cut around 3,000 jobs from its Global Markets investment banking division. 4] Moreover, RBS will compete in an econo mic climate experiencing increases in unemployment. The company’s layoffs are indicative of the financial sector reducing payrolls in order to streamline operations and enhance profitability. However, the economy’s overall increases in unemployment may facilitate a corresponding increase in small business start ups such that RBS may make loans to unemployed workers attempting to start their own firms.Per the aforementioned real estate situation, housing prices experienced a plunge of approximately 16 per cent last year, the biggest annual drop on record and RBS is poised for another turbulent year in real estate investment activities. The fall during 2008 established a current average house price at ? 153,048,   down ? 20,000 since December 2007[5]. However, in a discounted real estate market, RBS may facilitate real estate investors seeking long term gains and may also conduct businesses unrelated to real estate i. e. manufacturing, technological, agricultural, and health care.SOCIAL Social aspects of the credit crisis include, but are not limited to: career attitudes, consumer confidence, and worries regarding pensions. Career attitudes may be improved if RBS campaigns for unemployed workers to attempt to start their own small business. Consumer confidence may increase if RBS markets the low costs of capital for borrowers. And worries regarding pensions may be alleviated by RBS’s Wealth Management division and subsequent campaigns emphasizing investments in staple sectors, emerging markets and firms experience above average growth.TECHNOLOGICAL The aforementioned FSA’s Consultation paper entitled ‘Financial Services Compensation Scheme reform’ also recommends Britain’s banks spend approximately ? 1bn on upgrades for information technology systems. The proposed IT investment facilitates a bank’s capacity to produce a list of all customers’ deposits within 48 hours of the institution failing. This may support the FSCS’s ability to ensure that bank customers get their money back within seven days.Such a system may also limit the risk of a collapse of confidence from spreading. Furthermore, technological variables like software platforms based on data mining, neural networks, risk analysis and algorithms scanning financial criteria may offer RBS the tools necessary to optimize networks, maximize knowledge procurement and minimize data absence such that assets, liabilities, expenses and revenue streams are analyzed, assessed and reported upon in order to alert management on significant changes and/or potential problems. LEGALRBS confronts numerous legal issues, including but not limited to: securities law, bank note regulation, separation of lawful matters centered on England and Scotland, country specific regulatory committees and a trade structures negotiated separate from England. RBS is poised to capitalize on the Scottish reputation for developing a wealthy nation s uch that, the concomitance of national legal frameworks may expedite innovation, facilitate the discovery of economic tools and promote a banking sector that leads the international economy into a more efficient, less volatile and improved transparency framework.By immersing itself in the legal framework of both regions, RBS may reap insight into the legislation the behind domestic economy and participation in an international marketplace. ENVIROMENTAL Several groups assert that RBS is one of the world’s top financing sources for oil and gas extraction. Allegations that RBS is funding oil and gas extraction in politically and environmentally sensitive regions and further entrenching dependence on oil and gas. These believes have resulted in campaigns against RBS   Protests have taken place at some RBS and Natwest branches in the UK.RBS supplies financial services to firms constructing coal-fired power stations and developing new coal mines at sites all over the world. RBS i s accused of helping billions of pounds over the last two years to E. ON, and other companies emphasizing coal. On 17 January 2008 environmental groups wrote to RBS hoping to resolve environmental problems associated with the ABN AMRO-financed Sakhalin II project (RBS, Fortis and Banco Santander acquired ABN AMRO in 2007).RBS’S green holdings may alleviate these antagonistic positions while also offering investment returns in industries experiencing relatively positive growth rates. As alternative energy becomes a viable source for transportation and electricity, RBS may identify and locate potential businesses (whether small businesses or conglomerates) that offer above average yields. Further, RBS may spearhead the banking industry’s emphasis on alternative energy in a marketplace poised to replace oil even during a banking crisis.Industrial Analysis: Current Market Forces in Banking Sector There are several forces operating in the banking sector. A few of these are related to the current crisis and others are constant parts of the banking sector. Such forces include, but are not limited to: i). a demand for reform; ii). a supply of private money (whether publicly financed or not) that has experienced a constraining shift in risk adversity; iii). a nationalization of private sectors; iv). uncertain alterations of capital standards; v). ossible shifts in portfolio risks; vi). homeowner and depositor protection; and vii). possible prioritization of small and medium sized business. These demand and supply issues are drivers of change. Other drivers of change include regulatory bodies, private organizations and competitors within the banking industry. As alterations in portfolio risks shift capital, changes in specific industries may occur. For example, an influx of capital into alternative energy alongside a reduction in real estate investment may fuel energy independence.As alterations in capital standards occur, banking companies are expected to change attitudes towards riskier loans. And as small and medium sized enterprises become a priority, the may be changes in the rate of innovation, the effect of small transactions and general economic data like unemployment or personal consumption. A banking sector’s industrial analysis would note that banking has existed so long that ascertaining the whole sector’s position in the life cycle is rather difficult.However, the sector is experiencing a nationalization, which in turn reverts back to antiquated stages of the sector’s life cycle. On the other hand, banking could be poised to accelerate its position in its life cycle due to the current economic crisis i. e. necessity is the mother of invention and the banking sector may invent methods to draw the economy out of the current crisis MADEAN2. WORDPRESS; http://madean2. wordpress. com/business/swot-pestel/ (2012) http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=1cV-R26kMrU&feature=related