Thursday, August 27, 2020

Marketing and Supply Chain Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Advertising and Supply Chain Management - Essay Example It is in this specific occurrence that every one of the individual organizations shows their ability and grandstands what kind of the executives they have and how stable that administration is. Difficulties consistently require the best personalities to work out the best administration prompts that will permit the organization to withstand any tempestuous second and connect with the partners in each part of the dynamic pyramid. Relationship the board is the principle wellspring of help for any organization that is looking for influence in financial difficulties (Goldberg 2001, p. 11). Be that as it may, these relationship the board techniques may accompany far more detestable impacts if not dealt with appropriately. In this manner, understanding what the organization requires and how this can be accomplished with insignificant changes is a fundamental advance towards meeting the objectives of the organization. The most extreme is required yet this must be drawn closer in a moderate y et sure way (Bowersox, Closs and Cooper 2002, p. 33). As will be seen in this report, the instance of ChemCo businesses is one huge investigation that will assist us with understanding the significance of key bookkeeping the executives, the importance of relationship the executives and how a setback in actualizing either can prompt all out debacle. The contextual analysis will likewise be utilized to research the effect of KAM as applied by the organization and what sway it had on its partner sin the since quite a while ago run. The report will likewise investigate the various available resources through which inside and outer connections can be orchestrated to make an organization that has better and more grounded monetary standpoint in spite of the difficulties they face. Flexibly Chain Management and Business-to-Business Marketing Business â€to-Business promoting can be characterized under the idea of the changing connections between the associations taking part in either prov iding or circulation of items among one another. They might be characterized as the proceeding with cooperations between the two gatherings as opposed to an arrangement of experiences where control of costs or request is finished by the provider as they connect with dubious clients (Hoegh 2008, p. 302). This can be identified with the way that those allowed to manage the showcasing systems may have contending interests in the business which may upset normal dynamic when the organization is being referred to this might be seen and affirmed by the way that ChemCo’s KAM administrator chose what costs were to be set for specific customers while dismissing others in an offer to prevail upon customers during their declining money related pattern. When managing the market and the association, there is something many refer to as showcasing coordinations that should be rethought to help comprehend what is normal in any setting. The market coordinations are focused on fundamentally bre aking down the connections between the two gatherings. This is the place speculations, for example, the 4P’s, Porter’s five power investigation and PCDA model of value control come into center. The organization takes a gander at the most ideal courses through which their items can be alluring, how their costs and procedures can be kept up or adjusted to improve their intrigue to their customers or how they can break down their procedures and improve them to fulfill the needs of the customers (Hines 2004, p. 66). Thusly, any gracefully bind chief will look to utilize much more extensive coordinations to think of a technique that suits the whole chain and works at meeting the objectives of the organization whether by including the auxiliaries or assigning obligations and focuses for every one of the auxiliaries to accomplish (Mentzer et. al. 2001, p. 3). Be that as it may, it is urgent to comprehend that chain the board doesn't prohibit even the littlest retailers in the chain. Rather, as an administrator, considering the advantages of

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Ionic Essay Example

Ionic Essay Characterize and portray ionic and covalent bonds. An ionic bond is a sort of compound bond shaped through an electrostatic fascination between two oppositely charged particles. A covalent bond is the substance bond that includes the sharing of sets of electrons between molecules. A compound is made when at least two molecules structure a concoction bond, connecting them together. The two kinds of bonds are ionic bonds and covalent bonds. In an ionic bond, the iotas are bound together by the fascination between oppositely charged particles. On the off chance that the electron is shared similarly between the particles shaping a covalent bond, at that point the bond is supposed to be nonpolar. An electron is more pulled in to one iota than to another which framing a polar covalent bond. Ionic bonds are shaped between a cation and an anion. Unadulterated ionic holding can't exist: every ionic compound have some level of covalent holding. An ionic bond is viewed as a bond where the ionic character is more noteworthy than the covalent character. The bigger the distinction in electronegativity between the two molecules engaged with the bond, the more ionic the bond is. Bonds with incompletely ionic and mostly covalent character are called polar covalent bonds. Ionic holding is a type of no covalent holding. We will compose a custom exposition test on Ionic explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on Ionic explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Ionic explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Ionic mixes direct power when liquid or in arrangement, yet not as a strong. They by and large have a high softening point and will in general be dissolvable in water. The steady equalization of appealing and horrible powers between molecules when they share electrons is known as covalent holding. For some particles, the sharing of electrons permits every iota to achieve what might be compared to a full external shell, relating to a stable electronic setup. Covalent holding incorporates numerous sorts of communication, including ? - holding, ? - holding, metal-to-metal holding, skeptic associations, and three-focus two-electron bonds. The term covalent bond dates from 1939. The prefix co-implies together, related in real life, cooperated to a lesser degree fundamentally, implies that the particles share valence. Particle H2, the hydrogen iotas share the two electrons by means of covalent holding. Covalency is most noteworthy between iotas of comparable electronegativity. Covalent holding doesn't really require the two particles be of similar components, just that they are of practically identical electronegativity. Albeit covalent holding involves sharing of electrons, it isn't really delocalized.

Friday, August 21, 2020

4 Common Questions About the Science of Love

4 Common Questions About the Science of Love More in Theories Social Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In the past, there has been considerable controversy surrounding the scientific study of love. A lot of people view love as mysterious and unquantifiable. Here are four common questions about the role of love in psychology. 1. How Does the Study of Love Differ From Other Topics? During the 1970s, a U.S. Senator named William Proxmire gave psychologist Elaine Hatfield what he called the Golden Fleece Award. Essentially, he accused her of wasting taxpayer dollars on useless research on love. At the time, many people agreed with him. Since then, research on love has helped change how we view parenting, education, and child development. There is a lot of variability in how love is studied. Harry Harlows famous attachment experiments involved depriving infant monkeys of all social contact, which demonstrated how devastating a lack of love can be to normal development. Today, most love researchers utilize self-report surveys to gather information on attitudes, perceptions, and reactions to love. 2. Which Model of Love Is Mostly Widely Accepted? Perhaps the best-known model today is Sternbergs Triangular Theory of Love. The reason this theory gets a lot of attention is that it combines many of the elements found in earlier theories of love. According to Sternberg, there are three essential elements of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. A relationship built on only one of these elements is generally considered weak, while one built on two or more elements is much more lasting. For example, a combination of passion and intimacy would be what Sternberg refers to as passionate love. A combination of intimacy, passion, and commitment form what is known as consummate love. 3. Are There Studies Comparing Parent-Child Love to Future Romantic Relationships? Yes. There has been quite a bit of research in this area recently. Traditional belief has suggested that while parent-child relationships serve as an important basis for future relationship styles, the earliest relationships between parents and children dont necessarily define how a person will behave in relationships as an adult. However, some recent research has demonstrated that the link between our earliest love relationships and adult relationships may be stronger than previously thought. Many studies have demonstrated that individuals who are viewed as securely attached in childhood grow up to have healthier and longer-lasting adult relationships. However, research has also consistently shown that people can overcome poor attachment in childhood to develop healthy romantic relationships as adults. 4. Do People Sometimes Need Help With Love? One of the most common assessments given by doctors and therapists is called a Global Assessment of Functioning. This assessment is designed to look at all aspects of a persons life in order to see how well the individual is functioning. Love falls under the umbrella of social functioning. Problems with love and interpersonal relationships can be an indicator of major problems, so most professionals take this information very seriously.  Most doctors and psychologists agree that difficulty with love relationships ranks as a serious medical condition that demands some type of intervention. One type of therapy thats used to help with interpersonal difficulties such as love is interpersonal therapy, which focuses on attachments and solving problems with interpersonal relationships. Its a short-term therapy based on the belief that issues in our interpersonal lives may manifest in psychological disorders and symptoms such as depression.

Monday, May 25, 2020

The Beginning Of Gothic Art - 943 Words

The beginning of Gothic art started around the year 1140. At this time Gothic art was not a particular art form that was practiced in Europe. The Ile-de-France which means, Paris and vicinity, was the only place that art and architecture shoes Gothic characteristics. However, once people from other places started to notice the beauty that this particular art form presented, it quickly spread around the rest of Europe. The art and architecture that is attributed with the Gothic style is actually a combination of two eras that flourished in western and central Europe in the Middle Ages. This style of art was an evolution of Romanesque art and lasted around four centuries. Gothic art got its name from Italian writers who attributed its architecture to the barbarian Gothic tribes. Although Goth art and architecture really has nothing to do with the actual Gothic tribes, the term still stands in art history. Ile-de-France is the location in which Gothic art first appeared. It is not certa in as to why this was the particular location that the style originated from. Some scholar’s think that a reason this happened was because Ile-de-France never really had a strong style during the Romanesque time period which left them open to innovation and influence from the areas that surrounded them. Other theories are that the Kings of France wanted to increase their power, status and wealth because it was in the Ile-de-France that their domains were located. The architecture is one ofShow MoreRelated Romanesque and Gothic Architecture Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesRomanesque and Gothic Architecture The 11th to 15th centuries saw a great surge of the Christian Church within Europe which was emphasized by the persuasiveness of the Crusades. The growing population of the Church increased the demand for the increased presence in architectural monuments and during the Romanesque and Gothic periods, a great cathedral construction boom occurred across Europe. The Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles were distinctive in not only the massiveness of the RomanesqueRead MoreGraphic In Comic Books And Graphic Novelsbram1158 Words   |  5 Pages Page:of 10 Graphic BleedVampires in comic books and graphic novelsBram Stoker’s Dracula #1 (1992). Panel art by Mike Mingola.Since the 18th century, Vampires have ultimatelytranscended narrativeboundaries and genre divides. The Vampiresub- ­Ã¢â‚¬ culturehasflourishes in neo gothic aesthetics in science fiction and fantasy,in romantic and young adultliteratureand incelluloid. VampiregraphicRead MoreGothic Architecture During the Middle Ages Essays1234 Words   |  5 PagesGothic architecture a new style developing from an old style of architecture with similar characteristics and in a way different. Architects wanted to build bigger buildings with stronger walls something that could not be found elsewhere. The old buildings did not have windows they were dark places that in order to get light they needed many candles. Not even the candles could give the right amount of light the buildings needed. The middle ages architects wanted big windows on the buildings and thisRead MoreEssay about Greek and Gothic Architecture948 Words   |  4 PagesGothic Architecture Have you ever noticed the style in the buildings of your city? Well the style comes from an antique type of architecture called gothic architecture. The buildings now days have many developed characteristics from this style. Gothic architecture brought to the world many new features; the most important was the ogival arch, it helped the structure of the buildings and their inside designs. Gothic architecture started when the roman empire declined and the middle ages arose.Read MoreCult of the Virgin in the Gothic Era:1723 Words   |  7 PagesCult of the Virgin in the Gothic Era: Was there another side to the Virgin’s image? In the Gothic era, when it was popular for artist to create images and symbols of the Virgin Mary, began the Cult of the Virgin. Many artists focused on the Virgin Mary with Christ as the main topic in their art work. Did all the creations made of the Virgin portray her as good? Could some of the artists want to give a negative interpretation of the Virgin that could have only been seen through the artist’s eyeRead MoreThe Catholic Church Of Gothic And Scholastic Ideals1305 Words   |  6 Pagescertainly revolutionized and dampened. Examples of this humanistic transformation were represented through the union of Gothic and Scholastic ideals. Rather than simply scare the population into being religious and pious, the Gothic era welcomed the population- beginning with France, followed by the rest of Europe through the airy, dream-like, colorful, and uplifting beauty of the Gothic Cathedrals. This radical change would not have come about were it not for Aristotle’s n ominalist philosophy duringRead MoreArchitecture Is The Thoughtful Making Of Space1268 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Architecture is the thoughtful making of space† said Louis Kahin. This is because architecture is the act of taking space and transforming it into a grand masterpiece using creativity, imagination and skills. Since the beginning of time, architecture has been known to be one of the most captivating features of man’s work. A combination of inventiveness, hard work and talent is necessary to wind up with an architectural design that will leave an imprint within onlookers. Architecture is a means toRead MoreKey Characteristics of Gothic Architecture1436 Words   |  6 Pagesarchitectural changes were necessary in the shift from Romanesque to Gothic cathedrals in Europe and what inspirational changes influenced these changes? A. Plan of Investigation This investigation’s purpose is to analyze the changes in the architectural technique of the Romanesque style of architecture and come to a conclusion as to whether the shift in technique led to the rise of the more grandiose Gothic architecture in Europe. All art is inspired and the influences that caused the change in techniqueRead MoreUnderstanding The Birth Of The Renaissance996 Words   |  4 Pagescommercially stamped multi bladed razor. Looking retroactively at the years leading up to this rebirth one can note the beginning of reflection the Ancient World and the ins-and-outs of Roman culture. Influencing architecture, art, and social construction, a desire for the classics pulled Europe from the slumping years of the fading High Middle Ages. Actively bringing back Roman and Gothic elements of architecture including: Domes, support methods, and construction techniques were all features includedRead MoreComparison of Two Historical Art Periods1131 Words   |  5 Pages Comparison of Two Historical Art Periods: Middle Ages (Gothic) and Renaissance Architecture Christina Plunkett Western Governors University IWT1 Humanities Task 1 Gothic style came about in the middle of the twelfth century. It was named after the Goths that controlled France during that time. It was developed as a result of Christian ideals. Christian leaders wanted big, tall, ornate churches to represent their strong faith. Later it was also used for non-religious buildings

Thursday, May 14, 2020

An Argument For Military Expertise. Of The Six Chapters

An Argument for Military Expertise Of the six chapters in Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 1, chapter 5 is the most important with respect to the duty positions and responsibilities of a Captain in the United States Army. The Army Profession - chapter 5, titled Military Expertise – Our Application of Landpower, defines military expertise, outlines the three steps necessary to develop and maintain military expertise, and finally describes dominance in the land domain as what Soldiers actually do in order to execute the Army’s mission: â€Å"to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.† (HQ,†¦show more content†¦Finally, leader-human development informs how the Army profession inspires Soldiers to serve honorably, and to recruit new talent from the civilian population to become Soldiers and steward the profession. Some people would suggest that the political-cultural field of military expertise is currently the military’s greatest challenge. The civilian-military relationship is constructed from a multitude of factors, from the President of the United States serving as Commander-In-Chief as a civilian political leader, to the geographic locations in which Army installations exist. Civilian leadership over the military is both doctrine and tradition in this country, offering checks and balances between the two. While this is a positive aspect, it also can create tension when political aims do not match with the military’s assessment of a military operation. Additionally, public opinion of the military in general shapes the civilian-military relationship as well. Although public support for service members has been relatively high since September 2001, it has not always been this way. It can also be argued that force reduction in overall numbers, as well as consolidation efforts to close installations and combine unit locations, have led to the perception of the military as a â€Å"family business,† or something that not everyone contributes too. After World War II, nearly every household knew a service member personally. This isShow MoreRelatedBritish Colonialism Essay example2439 Words   |  10 Pagesthe Anglo-Zulu war, with a small chapter devoted to the battle of Isandlwana, is called The History of the Zulu War and Its Origin by Frances Ellen Colenso. Written in 1880, one year after the war concluded, Colenso wrote in a Pro-nationalist focus. He applauds the camp tactics employed by Lord Chelmsford, General of British Forces in South Africa and Natal, and does in no way seem to dislike or question the Generals commands. As stated above, this a very short chapter in a very large book. There areRead MoreBus 518 Week 9 Bus518 Week 92813 Words   |  12 PagesDiscussion Capabilities of Team Members   Please respond to the following: * Construct an argument for replacing a team member that you believe is unqualified for the task you have assigned. Provide at least two examples to support your rationale. BUS 518 Week 3 Assignment 1 A Peaceful Evacuation Building a Multi-Project Battalion by Leading Upward Due Week 3 and worth 240 points Read the weekly assigned chapters and view the lectures before beginning the assignment. Read the case study titled â€Å"A PeacefulRead MoreBus 518 Week 6 Bus518 Week 62785 Words   |  12 PagesDiscussion Capabilities of Team Members   Please respond to the following: * Construct an argument for replacing a team member that you believe is unqualified for the task you have assigned. Provide at least two examples to support your rationale. BUS 518 Week 3 Assignment 1 A Peaceful Evacuation Building a Multi-Project Battalion by Leading Upward Due Week 3 and worth 240 points Read the weekly assigned chapters and view the lectures before beginning the assignment. Read the case study titled â€Å"A PeacefulRead MorePresident Obama Won Much More Than An Election3490 Words   |  14 Pages3. The authors made four arguments as to why the factors that previous Presidents lost reelection did not apply for Obama’s reelection. The first was that many previous presidents were unpopular within their own party which was not the case for Obama as the Democrats favored him for implementing Obamacare. The next argument was that there was no strong third party that drew away attention and support from Obama leaving his support base untampered with. The third argument was that Obama was only atRead MoreAutobiography Assessment Of Bernard Baruch2726 Words   |  11 Pageshis greatest endeavors was the time in his life during which he provided service to his country as an adviser in the economic sector. These services were mainly offered during both WWI and WWII. He further provided his services as a confidant to six United States presidents. Amon g many the jobs that he held, some are as follows: an American financier, statesman, stock investor, philanthropist and a political consultant in the United States. Bernard Baruch is well known for his success in almostRead MoreJeanne Harley Guillemin on Biological Weapons3027 Words   |  12 Pagesconstructed an epidemiological map that explained the source of the outbreak to then be due to the air-borne discharge of anthrax spores from a military facility that processed anthrax weapons. In 1994, the research results were published in Science, and a book on the same research was published in 1999, Anthrax: The Investigation of Deadly outbreak. To her, the military never took responsibility to their mistake nor did they apologize. The lack of accountability inspired her most to write about the catastropheRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesthe beginning of the twentieth. The decades since 1840 have witnessed a striking and unprecedented increase in the human population, in industrial and agricultural production, in global trade and its shift to nonluxury commodities, 10 †¢ CHAPTER 1 in international capital flows, in transcontinental economic integration, in transportation and communication technology, and in the movement of people. These upsurges and their regional unevenness created unprecedented incentives for long-distanceRead MoreSlavery And The African Holocaust Essay2975 Words   |  12 Pagesof Abraham Lincoln in 1860, as a republican, an anti slavery party, his election was extremely threatening to the southern states and about a month after he was elected South Carolina was the first states to secede from the Union quickly followed by six more. Due these successions of secession all federal forts found themselves in new Confederate land and a brilliant tactical move Lincoln began providing fresh supplies to these forts in order to intimidate the confederates into making the first moveRead MoreNational Security Outline Essay40741 Words   |  163 PagesREADING CHAPTER 1: National Security Law and the Role of Tipson 1 CHAPTER 2: Theoretical approaches to national security world order 4 CHAPTER 3: Development of the International Law of Conflict Management 5 CHAPTER 4: The Use of Force in International Relations: Norms Concerning the Initiation of Coercion (JNM) 7 CHAPTER 5: Institutional Modes of Conflict Management 17 The United Nations System 17 Proposals for Strengthening Management Institutional Modes of Conduct 23 CHAPTER 6: TheRead MoreEssay on Silent Spring - Rachel Carson30092 Words   |  121 Pages...............6 Chapter One..........................................................................................................6 Chapters Two and Three.......................................................................................6 Chapters Four, Five, and Six................................................................................7 Chapter Seven.......................................................................................................7 Chapter Eight............

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Japan s World s Third Largest Economy - 875 Words

Japan is a vital economic power not only in Asia, but the world as well. It is currently the world’s third largest economy, previously in second place, behind America and China respectively (GlobalEdge). Like many other countries within the Pacific, Japan is a part of APEC (Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation). This is a forum that â€Å"works towards a higher standard of living†¦through sustainable economic growth.†(APEC, GlobalEdge). Despite the fact of how comfortable/well-off Japan seems, they are currently facing multiple issues within their economy and societal factors. One major issue Japan is facing today involves their declining population, and the quick growth of the older generation. The current population growth rate is at -0.163%, and it is expected to continuously drop over time. This factor negatively affects Japan’s work force/labor pool, seeing as how there is a larger amount of elderly people compared to younger ones that should be working. Japan’s labor force in total is estimated at 65 million people (GlobalEdge), which is a little over half of the population (127 million). Their unemployment rate is at 3.4% (OECD), which is relatively good compared to America’s 5.5% (U.S. Bureau). This rate is also much lower than the rates in 2011 when unemployment was at 4.50% (Japan Unemployment.). Japan is a developed country that has a high income: OECD (World Bank), it is also ranked 4th out of 193 countries based on its GDP. Its current GDP, PPP â€Å"at market price† in US$Show MoreRelatedDifferences Between Countries And Developing Countries1215 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferentiate countries by grouping them into developed and developing countries. A developed country is a country that has progressed relatively far during time and has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure. Some examples of developed countries are the U.S.A, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands and many others. They are normally the more profound countries that we hear about more often than developing countries. A developing country is a country that is at an earlyRead MoreChinas Economic Growth1224 Words   |  5 Pagesgrowth patterns with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan due to cultural similarities, geographic location, similar economic development strategies, or, in the case of Japan, relatively large size of the domestic economy. China’s economic growth is expanding at a great pace, while other countries may be at a standstill. China has been the world s fastest-growing economy. One of the main stimuli twelve years ago was the release of Hong Kong to China from Great Britain. The second largest stimulus was the openingRead MoreThe United States Of America Essay1694 Words   |  7 Pagespeople think. The United States of America is facing problems a lot of people are either unaware of or just dont think its a big deal. Most of america think that our economy and government is in alright financial shape, That may not be the case though. America is in bad shape and it seems to be going down hill. America is declining in world power as well and this is just another factor leading to a crash in the future. Other nations are growing a lot more powerful than they have been in the past causingRead MoreJap A Country And The Links That Australia1428 Words   |  6 Pagesthan Japan.† This article will give an overview of Japan as a country and the links that Australia has with this country, whether it be through culture, defence and military, tourism, trade or sport. It will also look into historical events that sparked these links and how these relationships were formed and strengthened. Finally, it will go into how these links have changed the way we see Japan, and how these links have changed Australia to what we know it as today. Between the Sea of Japan andRead MoreJapans Development Of Japan1119 Words   |  5 PagesJapan, a major economic power in the world, is located in Eastern Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. Japan’s population is 127,103,388 and currently stands number 11 compared to other countries population. Japan’s system of government is a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy. Currently, Japan’s GDP is $4901 billion US dollars lower than what it was in 2012, $5938 billion dollars. Japan’s GDP per capita is recorded at $37,432.91 higher than what it has beenRead MoreWhen we as in the individuals think about what a Superpower is, we usually think that it’s pretty1000 Words   |  4 Pages The superpowers countries in the world are most effective in doing some political or either economic decisions. There are a number of factors that you must contribute to become a superpower including military resources, political infl uence, economic power and human resources. Military power is the most valued consideration that helps in becoming a country superpower. France for instance, its economy is ranked as the ninth largest in the world and fourth largest in the Europe by purchasing powerRead MoreThe Rise Of China s Rise1656 Words   |  7 Pages100145621 Is the rise of China to be welcomed or feared In this essay, I will argue that China s rise should not be welcomed and that it should be feared instead. This is because China s status as one of the world s most powerful nation will make it seek to establish hegemony within Asia, and eventually dominate the world as the sole hegemony. The USA and China s neighbouring countries will try to stop China s pursuit of hegemony in Asia, and this could lead to intense security tension between twoRead MoreThe Factors And Opportunities Of Entering The Market1415 Words   |  6 PagesMy company is comparing the factors and opportunities of entering the market in Japan. I will explore legal, political, financial, economical, and other factors. After I analyze these factors, I will decide whether or not it is a good idea to proceed to do business in Japan based on my findings of the country. The country of Japan has several plausible legal and political aspects. The â€Å"Iron Triangle System† was created in order to fight Japan’s corruption in the legal system. This â€Å"Iron TriangleRead MoreWorld War II And Japan1492 Words   |  6 PagesWorld War II and Japan The Greater Japanese Empire was one of the fastest growing and most dominant world powers of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. After being created as a result of the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the Empire of Japan grew quite well and prospered until it was dissolved in 1947. Although Japan experienced a long period of economic strife, massive destruction and a switch from a military to a consumer based economy, after World War II, the country emerged stronger than ever andRead MoreA Country Description Of Japan Essay1604 Words   |  7 PagesPart I- Country Description Japan has a population of 126,702,133, with a growth rate of -0.19%. Religious practices are as follows: Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1% (many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism). The climate varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north. The terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous. There are many dormant and some active volcanoes and about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

The Right to Bear Arms free essay sample

Citizens have the right to bear arms. It just all depends how they take action. According to a report by engineering statistician the general public is 5. 7 times more likely to be arrested for violent offenses and 13. 5 times more likely to be arrested for non-violent offenses, than concealed carry weapon permit holders. There are a lot of reason why some people want this law banned, but these arguments are outweighed only by the need of protection. The second Amendment guarantees the right to conceal handguns under the United States. In the 2008 case, District of Colombia v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that the inherent right of self-defense has been central to the Second Amendment right,† and that the second Amendment protects â€Å"the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation†. The Second Amendment states, A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. According to a 1997study of National Crime Victimization Survey data, robbery and assault victims who used a gun to resist were less likely to be attacked or to suffer an injury than those who used any other methods of self-protection or those who did not resist at all. Even if an adult never needs to draw a concealed handgun for self-defense, I may feel safer being armed and feel freer to go outside at night or in dangerous areas. ?The right to have concealed handguns is they support citizens in self-defense and deters crime. With gang population and gang-related violence growing at an exponential rate, it is imperative that law abiding citizens are given the right under the constitution to defend themselves. The National Crime Victimization Surveys concluded that â€Å"robbery and assault victims who used a gun to resist were less likely to be attacked or to suffer an injury than those who used any other methods of self-protection or those who did not resist at all†. It has been shown that concealed carry laws deter criminals form committing crimes due to the fear of retaliation of victims. According to the FBI, total violent crimes and murders dropped more than 6 percent during the first half of 2011 with over 55% increase in firearm purchases. Even with the recession and poor economy, this typically boots crime rates. Since 1991 through 2009, 23 states have adopted the right to carry, and violent crimes rates have declined 43 percent. This all comes on the heels of a five-fold increase in the number of shall-issue concealed carry states from 1986 to 2006. This concludes that more people should buy themselves guns to protect themselves and because of a lot of places not allowing guns, that one person with a gun could have saved their life. ?People have misconceptions about concealed handguns. The first being guns increase crime rates. This is false; according to the FBI concealed carry laws decrease crime. Experts have searched for any type of evidence indicating that guns increase crime rates, but have found very little evidence to support such a claim. Another misconception that people have is that concealed carry laws increase the circulation of guns. This is not entirely true, upon reaching certain age requirements and obtaining a F. O. I. D. (Firearm Owner’s Identification) Card, any person can buy as many firearms and as much ammunition as they wish. A concealed handgun simply allows the weapons to be carried in public on the waist or other concealed ways. The third misconception is that anyone can get a license and carry a gun. If you do any Research whatsoever and have any knowledge of concealed carry laws, you will know that this is entirely false. There are several requirements that most concealed carry laws have in order to obtain a license: over certain, either has a background in law enforcement or military, and if you are a civilian you must take a course to learn the proper use and maintenance of a firearm and must spend a significant amount of time at a firing range in order to develop skill with the firearm. You cannot have a criminal record and you cannot have any history of anger issues or any other psychological disorders. The last misconception is that criminals will get guns and harm citizens. This is the most irrational argument I have heard against concealed carry laws Do street gangs and criminals currently have concealed carry licenses? Do they have weapons anyway? The point is with or without gun laws; criminals obtain and also carry legal firearms illegally. The only difference with concealed carry laws is that now we can defend ourselves. The concealed carrying of handguns increases the likelihood of unintended shootings taking place. Approximately 50 people are unintentionally shot each day in America and a child under 15 years of age dies every other day from unintended gunfire. Criminals are more likely to arm themselves with firearms if they suspect that victims may also be armed. Felons report that they often carry firearms to deter victims from resisting. A victim drawi ng a gun during an attack sends a signal to the offender that more force must be used to overpower the victim during an attack. Adults who carry concealed handguns are often inadequately trained. Public safety should be left to trained police officers who are less likely to shoot innocent bystanders. Responsible adults with concealed handguns make it more difficult for police to distinguish criminals from ordinary citizens and to identify perpetrators during a shooting. Carrying concealed handguns needlessly intimidates other citizens. The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.

Monday, April 6, 2020

The International Space Station Essays - Space Medicine,

The International Space Station The International Space Station is the doorway to the future of mankind and the world as it is known. The scientific and medical discoveries that will be made on the station could create billions of dollars annually. A plan like this, arranged to benefit the whole world economy, should sound like a good idea to every person, but some believe that the ISS is too risky, too ineffective, or too costly to create. Whether or not the space station is worth the money, time, and effort, one thing is clear, everyone is interested in this virtual floating laboratory and what assets or liabilities it will bring. The future of scientific experimentation and exploration may be located, not on earth, but on the man made island called the International Space Station. Of all the factors that go into building a space station, construction of the massive object is the most tedious objective. During the building of the ISS, tensions have run high several times when deadlines were missed or funds were not available. This space station is the most expansive mission the world has ever encountered. The International Space Station will be a fifteen country mission. When finished, it will boast over an acre of solar panels for heating and energy, have a volume roughly sizable to two jumbo jets, and contain four times the electrical power of the Russian space station, Mir. It will take approximately forty-five flights over the next five years to assemble the one hundred pieces of the station while circling the orbit of the earth (Goldin 11). This floating station, the size of a large football stadium, which is traveling at over 17,500 miles per hour around the earth, will have a minimum life expectancy of only ten years, although scientists hope for a much longer time. The station is so large that it will sometimes be visible by the naked eye during the night (Chang 12). Many people agree with the idea of some sort of space laboratory, but wonder why it has to cost so many tax dollars. Some estimates for the station confirm that the cost has been underestimated by billions of dollars. Late last year Boeing beat out several other competitors for the prestigious position of main contractor. NASA agreed to sign a 5.6 billion dollar contract with Boeing to build many of the essential parts of the space station. Russia is also placing trust in this airplane superpower. They signed a 180 million dollar contract to build the Functional Cargo Block, the unit that will provide power to stabilize the station (Bizony 87). The International Space Station may provide many scientific discoveries, but everyone will pay for it. This project will become the most expensive project in space since the 1969 mission of Apollo 13 to the moon. The total estimated cost will be over twenty billion dollars (8). On the International Space Station, there will be a large variety of experiments ranging from improvements of industry to medical advances. The largest portion of time will be devoted to scientific experimentation and discovery. The ISS will create advances that will assist scientists to better understand the mysteries of the physical, chemical, and biological world. Without gravity they may conceive the technological discoveries that will boost all economies (Goldin 11). One thing the astronauts will use in their pursuit of knowledge is remote telescience. It is an advanced technology that allows scientists on the ground to monitor the progress of the experiments on the station. This will keep people on Earth up to date on the data collection that is occurring in space. Telescience will use interactive data and video links to make the connection as realistic as possible (?Science Facilities? 7). The populous sometimes asks what the station will do scientifically. The International Space Station will try to answer questions that have bothered deep thinkers for years. The affect of no gravity on living things, any mental and physical affect on humans in space, and the growth of better materials in space that will create better products on Earth will all be explored in hopes of becoming better understood. Hopefully, scientists will be able to answer these questions and many more on the International Space Station (Chang 12). NASA has confirmed that microgravity, the almost weightless condition of space, is one of the largest factors in the experiments that will occur aboard the International Space Station. The

Monday, March 9, 2020

What to Capitalize in a Title

What to Capitalize in a Title The rules related to the capitalization of titles change depending on the formatting style you use in your document. For this quick review, well cover the most commonly used styles- particularly AP and Chicago styles- and the exact words to capitalize when writing in title case.The most common approach to capitalizing in title caseIn most cases, you will want to capitalize the first and last words of the title, along with all words except:Articles (a, an, the)Coordinating conjunctions fewer than four letters (and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet)Prepositions that are not used adjectivally or adverbially (at, by, in, of, to, on, up).Note: A major difference between AP and Chicago styles is Chicago style does not capitalize a long preposition, such as between; AP does.Below are examples of titles written following these rules:Stand by MeStand By for More (by is used adverbially, and thus should be capitalized)Located at the Top of the WorldNot Now or EverOnline resources for capitalizat ionIf you still get confused when trying to capitalize a title, there are a few great online resources you can use to make sure youve done it correctly.CapitalizeMyTitle.comCapitalize My Title allows you to write a title in one of the four main title capitalization styles: Chicago style, APA style, MLA style, and AP style. All you have to do is write in the title and choose a style, and the program will capitalize it for you based on the rules of that particular style.TitleCaseConverter.comTitle Case Converter advertises itself as A Smart Tool for Capitalizing Headlines and Titles. Similar to Capitalize My Title, Title Case Converter allows you to choose the style you want out of AP, APA, Chicago, MLA, New York Times or Wikipedia. It also gives you the options to keep words in all caps, enable multi-line input, show explanations (which provides explanations of why each word was capitalized or lowercased), highlight changes, and convert when text is pasted.So whats the deal with Is?A lot of writers falsely assume that is should not be capitalized in a title. However, is is a conjugation of the verb be, and therefore, should be treated just like any other verb in the sentence and capitalized.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Can you follow the reasoning of the Fine Tuning Argument Are you Essay

Can you follow the reasoning of the Fine Tuning Argument Are you convinced by it's reasoning and it's response to many universes hypotheses Why or why not - Essay Example Everyday science is discovering new things, so it would be inadequate to conclude that God is omnipotent. This is a response to the reasoning and responses to the universe hypotheses of the fine tuning argument (Collins, 3) I am not convinced by the general principle reasoning. It formulates the fine tuning argument against the ‘atheistic Single-universe’ hypothesis. It uses the prime principle of confirmation. The confirmation principle states that for two hypotheses H1 and H2. Something counts as evidence for hypotheses rather than another that is when is truer under a certain hypothesis than another (Collins, 8). Therefore in probability, the greater the difference, the greater the probability of counting as evidence. The examples offered in the principle of confirmation are, firstly, find rocks. Whereby if you find rocks in the mountain errand Saying ‘welcome to mountains’ there is a great probability that it is your brother who wrote it rather than chance. Secondly, a defendants fingerprints found on a murder weapon would more probably suggest that he is the murderer. I do not agree to the application of the principles that relies on the fact that that the universe has th e fine-tuned life factors being more probable under the theism hypothesis. The belief that the universe along with the essential life factor is an inexplicable brute fact (Collins, 18). The principle questions whether there are other universes. If there are, then one of the universes has to be fine tuned. It happens that the only fine-tuned universe could be ours because the other does not support an intelligent life. I am not convinced by the response to many universes hypothesis because it describes the universe as large or perhaps infinite thus it differs with the fundamental physical parameters. I agree that the majority of the universes do not support life-permitting values only a one. Its hard to understand the existence of improbable universe such

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Assessing Autism Article Critique Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assessing Autism Article Critique - Term Paper Example The usual way of measuring behavior such as limited eye contact, lack of reciprocal social interaction, fewer greetings and failure to initiate interactions such as offering comfort to someone who is hurt, for example, is to observe how children react in certain contrived situations. This study hypothesizes that children with autism will behave differently from children with mental retardation and children with typical development during natural situations. It proposes that that a standardized way of observing children in the everyday context of school recess would be a helpful assessment tool. The playground observation checklist is just such an observation tool, and the article describes how it was used and the results it produced. These results were then checked for accuracy against other information obtained by the usual autism assessment methods. There were ten items on the behavior checklist, which is a very small amount, and for each child in the sample of 81 a score of yes/no was recorded against each item during a 15 minute observation period. Two observers recorded the sessions simultaneously, and any instance where a child interacted with an adult during the 15 minutes was discounted, and the observation was repeated until a session with only peer to peer interaction took place.... n educator this is an interesting article which recommends an intervention that is relatively inexpensive, easy to administer and suitable for operation in a school context in a way that does not place any undue pressure on the child. This article was an exploration of the method itself, and more needs to be done on that to ensure that the criteria are worded well, for example avoiding gender bias in the way interactions are described and scored. Assuming these details could be ironed out, this observation checklist does appear to be a good method for making initial assessments to indicate what kind of specialist referral, if any, would be appropriate for a particular child. So long as the observation is conducted by trained observers it could be introduced in an elementary school. There are ethical issues about the method, of course, since parents would need to give permission for such observations to take place, whether for research purposes, or for the benefit of the children them selves. There could be a danger of over-diagnosis, or of inappropriate referrals if too much weight is placed on a single fifteen minute observation, and so any use of this tool would be best placed within a school policy on autism, to be called upon under specific circumstances and regulated by school protocols that protect everyone’s rights. The article by Bradley-Johnson et al. (2008) takes a wider perspective than the article by Ingram et al. (2007) and is aimed at school psychologists, rather than educators. The definition of autism used by Bradley-Johnson et al. (2008) is that of the Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) which is broader than the DSM criteria. From the start there is an emphasis on â€Å"verifying eligibility for special services for autism† which betrays an

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Next PESTLE Analysis | Next Plc

Next PESTLE Analysis | Next Plc Tags:  PESTLE Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, PEST Analysis Introduction A PESTLE analysis provides and analysis of six of the key macro level factors which affect a business and the decision which it makes (Grant, 2008). This assignment will apply the relevant factors within the PESTLE framework to the international clothing retailer Next and its subsidiaries. Data upon which the assignment is based comes from a variety of sources including the companys annual report (Next, 2012) and released and well as information from the academic and business press. In order to give the assignment a greater level of focus, the report will be limited to an analysis of the external environment in the UK. Political There are a wide range of political factors which affect Next at present but also factors which may have an impact upon the company in the future. One key political decision which affects Next in the UK is the rate of tax levied by the government. This has the ability to affect both the bottom line of the company in the form of corporation tax but also the ability of customers to spend with next, linked to income tax. At present, levels of corporation tax in the UK have been lowered in order to attempt to stimulate economic activity (Telegraph, 2012). However, given the continuing deficit, there is no guarantee that governments in the future will maintain the rate of corporation tax at its current level. Other key political decisions consider interest rates. At present, UK interest rates stand at an all-time low of 0.5% (BoE, 2010). This may be seen as a positive factor for firms such as Next who are effectively able to borrow large amounts of money for the purposes of capital expansion at much lower rates than have been previously seen. Such borrowing may take place in the form of long term borrowings from banks and financial institutions, alternatively the company may choose to issue corporate bonds (Arnold, 2008). Other political issues relate to the governments relatively arms length approach to Europe and remaining outside of the single currency area (FT, 2012). For a UK based business such as Next that has international operations in the Euro Zone, this could be seen as negative with the prospect of foreign exchange rate risks being felt and the introduction of additional transaction costs which would be eliminated if the government decided to join the Euro Zone. From a more general perspective, the UK political system based upon parliamentary democracy may be seen as providing Next with a relatively low risk political environment in which to operate within (CIA, 2013). This may be seen as an advantage in comparison some of Nexts ventures into potentially less stable political nations such as Russia and those of the Middle East. As such, this makes the UK a relatively safe market for Next to make further long term capital investments in where the company may think twice in the case of less stable political environments. Economic A critical factor which may have an impact upon Next in the UK is the current state of the economic environment. As a business which makes use of a premium based differentiated strategy, as opposed to being a cost leader, it may be seen that swings within the economic environment have the ability to impact the fortunes of the company to a greater degree than those operating in the necessity and budget sector of the market (Johnson et al, 2008). From a purely statistical perspective, the years since 2007 have been an economic rollercoaster for the UK. Following the onset of the global financial crisis in 2007, the subsequent year saw GDP growth revert to negative figures with -1% contraction in the economy. This was followed by even worse performance in 2009 with a -4% contraction. Low levels of growth have been seen since in 2010 and 2011 with GDP growth of 1.8% and 0.8% respectively (World Bank, 2013). However, while the statistics show a slight recovery in 2010 and 2011, others within the business press (BBC News, 2012) indicate that the UK economy could continue to flat line or worse result in a double dip recession. These headline figures may seem to paint quite a negative picture for retailers such as Next which are highly reliant on the UK economy as a source of revenue. However, an analysis of more detailed economic data may highlight a different perspective. Tutt (2012) presents data which looks at the level of unemployment and household disposable incomes in the UK. In this case an alarming pattern is seen. On the one hand, levels of unemployment have been increasing in recent years with a rise from 0.86m in 2007 to 1.53m in 2011. However, conversely, the levels of disposable income of individual households during the period has consistently risen from  £14,308 per household in 2007 to  £16,042 per household in 2011 (Tutt, 2012). For Next and other premium end retailers this may have a key impact upon strategy. While there may be few customers able to by the products and services of Next due to rising unemployment, those who have remained in employment have generally become wealthier. As a result it is likely that such economic patterns may help Next to improve its average spend per customer, even if the total number of customers falls. Social-Cultural There are many social and cultural changes taking place in the UK at present which may have a high level of impact upon the performance of fashion retailers such as Next. In many cases, as representatives of an essentially socio-cultural industry, the fashion industry itself may be seen as an industry which is affected by such trends to a greater degree than other industries (Curtis et al, 2007). One of the key issues in the UK market, but also seen across Nexts wider European markets is the general aging of the population (Parliament UK, 2012). This may be seen as both problematic but also an opportunity for Next. One the one hand, an ageing population may see Next having to adapt its product portfolio in an attempt to ensure that the products supplied by company appeal to this aging demographic of the population. In addition, the prospect of an aging population may also see that competition for the increasingly smaller younger demographics of the market becomes more intense for Next as time progresses. Despite these drawbacks, there are also advantages linked to the issue. On consideration is that ageing populations tend to be less mobile than younger demographics, this may be a key advantage for Next given that its home delivery and online business model offer a convenient solution to the problem. Other socio-cultural factors include the consideration that the UK has since World War Two become an increasingly culturally diverse nation with an influx of diverse cultures, races and ethnicities all contributing towards the socio-cultural backdrop of the UK social system (Shepherd, 2010). For Next, this has not only external implications such as those linked to aligning product ranges to specific cultural segments, in attrition, the company musty also ensure that it deals with issues such as managing diversity in the context of its own organisation. In this case, increased cultural diversity can be seen as both a source of a competitive advantage yet also a potential source of conflict (Liff, 1997, Ivancevich et al, 2010). As EU expansion takes place and the new member states become further integrated into the EU, there is a distinct possibility that the trends for increased diversity in the UKs labour and consumer markets will increase rather than decrease. Technological There is little doubt that new technological developments have transformed the UK business environment, especially those operating in the retail sector. Key developments may be seen as those technologies which are internet or communications based in nature, such as the wide spread diffusion of broad band (Jobber, 2007). Key technological developments such as the internet have allowed firms such as Next to develop online business models which complement traditional bricks and mortar retail establishments. Empirical evidence from the ONS (2009) on the subject shows that the growth has been almost exponential with a rapid acceptance on the behalf of customers of online shopping in both retail and other markets. Yet communications technologies have not only been used by the sector to facilitate online sales and shift away from the traditional high street place. Other aspects of new technological development have seen a range of new marketing options opened up to retailers such as Next. Most important amongst these are developments which have allowed retailers to interact with customers using online social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. These are now seen as key ingredients in the development of a successful marketing strategy (Zarrella, 2010), largely the product of technological changes in the sector. Other technologies have simply allowed businesses to develop better relationships with their consumers and communicate in a more effective way. Take for instance the technological developments of smartphones and apps. Such technology has allowed companies to develop apps which allow consumers to find their nearest branch or check the facilities and product availability at a branch before making a visit. This allows an effective bridge to be built between the purely online business model such as those operated by a company like Amazon and those falling into the bricks and clicks category (McGoldrick, 2002) such as Next who must seek to leverage the benefits of both arms of the business. While technology in this section has largely been presented as an opportunity, there is of course a risk factor. Many have expressed concerns over the abandoning of the high street as consumers flock to online business models. The case is illustrated only too recently with the example of Jessops going into administration, a business which may be seen as falling victim to technological developments (Goodley, 2013). Legal Like all businesses, Next must conform to the legal minimum standards which are enforceable in a jurisdiction. The case of Nexts UK operations legal elements may be seen as more complex given that the company must comply with both UK law and EU law. Some of the key legal regulations which affect Next in the UK are considered below: Minimum wage legislation A key piece of legislation in the UK which affects organisations such as Next with a large number of low paid workers is that of various minimum wage regulations. In this case, the legislation requires UK employers to pay their employees a minimum of  £6.19 per hour for those aged over 21 (Gov UK). Given the large number of employees of firms such as Next which are affected by the National Minimum Wage, temporary shifts in legislative policy can have a high impact upon the sector. Other key legislative issues include equal opportunities legislation and various other acts of parliament designed to ensure equality both in the work place and in the recruitment and selection process (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2010). In this case, such legislation has a direct impact upon the processes and practises of an organisation such as Next who are required not only to design corporate polices which facilitate equality but also to record activities related to recruitment and selection should an employee call foul at a later date. The issue here for businesses such as Next is that the legislative environment often places the burden of proof on the defendant rather than the claimant in such cases. As such, the development of detailed HR processes and practises is critical (Bratton and Gold, 2007). Further issues relate to potential moves on the behalf of legislators to become tougher in relation to issues of tax avoidance. While Next has to date not been implicated in any of the tax avoidance scandals, there is a consideration that the actions of other retailers such as Starbucks and Amazon (Syal, 2012) may have provoked the onset of a tougher legislative environment in the future which may have an impact upon innocent parties such as Next. Environmental The physical environment is also a key issue for firms operating in any given national market and consideration should be considered two how firms treat the physical environment and the impact this has on the business, but also the impact the physical environment generally has upon a business. In general terms, the physical environment which Next operates within in the UK may be seen as relatively benign in comparison to other parts of the world which suffer from high intensity natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and forest fires. Despite such an environment there have been a number of environmental issues recently in the UK which have affected the retail sector. These have included increasing more frequent floods (Retail Bulletin, 2013) and poor sales due to snow storms and the failure of local authorities to prepare for periods of inclement weather (Hall, 2011). Other aspects of the environmental analysis require firms to consider their own impact upon the environment. In general terms, the literature (Parsons and MacLaran, 2009) considers that consumers are becoming increasing aware of the impact of businesses upon their environment. As such, if businesses are to maintain customer loyalty and avoid negative backlashes, then they must seek to minimise their impact upon the environment. In the retail sector, this may include reducing waste, running more efficient transport operations and implementing ethical sourcing policies. While failure to comply with such consumer demands may result in a negative consumer backlash, with the adoption of the right approach, high environmental credentials can be used to add value to a product or service. Such an example is seen in the Marks and Spencer (2013) and Body Shop business models in the retail sector. Conclusion Having reviewed the key factors within the macro level environment as presented in the PESTLE framework, it is possible to come to a number of conclusions in relating the model to Next and its UK operations. On the one hand, it would appear that the external environment is a significantly challenging one for Next with the prospect of further poor economic performance and a requirement to comply with what may be seen as a relatively tough legislative environment. However, the PESTLE factors would also seem to indicate that there are some large opportunities for Next in the UK. Such opportunities include the ability to borrow at low interest rates to fund capital expansion and increased opportunities to link technological developments to changes in the social fabric of society in order to drive more sales through web based platforms. Other factors such as changing technologies and increases in diversity may be seen as neither positive or negative intrinsically but still require some ch ange on the behalf of Next. Having reached these conclusions, the final opinion of the writer is that the external environment is essentially neutral for Next at the moment and that the success of the business will be largely dependent upon whether managers of the business capitalise upon the stated opportunities or allow the challenges to see Next becoming another casualty of the death of the high street. Bibliography Arnold, G. (2008). Corporate financial management. 4th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall. BBC News. (2012). UK economy in double dip recession. Available online at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17836624 [Accessed on 18/01/13]. BoE. (2010). Bank of England maintains bank rate at 0.5% and the size of the asset purchase program at  £200 billion. Available online at:  http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/news/2010/084.htm  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Bratton, J, Gold, J. (2007). Human resource management theory and practise. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. CIA. (2013). World fact book UK. Available online at:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Pilbeam, S, Corbridge, M. (2010). People resourcing and talent planning. 4th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall. Curtis, E, Watson, H, Sephton, L. (2007). Fashion retail. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons. FT. (2012). UKs Euro trade supremacy under attack. Available online at:  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/736bd72a-3c9a-11e2-a6b2-00144feabdc0.html  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Goodley, S. (2013). Jessops goes into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk. Available online at:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jan/09/jessops-verge-administration-jobs-risk  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Gov UK. (2013). National minimum wage rates. Available online at:  https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Grant, R, M. (2008). Contemporary strategy analysis. 6th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Hall, J. (2011). Snow costs Next and HMV  £42m in lost Christmas sales. Available online at:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8240799/Snow-costs-Next-and-HMV-42m-in-lost-Christmas-sales.html  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Ivancevich, J, M, Konopaske, R, Matteson, M, T. (2010). Organisational behaviour and management. 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Irwin. Liff, S. (1997). Two routes to managing diversity: individual differences or social group characteristics. Employee relations. Vol. 19. No. 1. pp11-26. Marks and Spencer. (2013). Plan A Doing the right thing. Available online at: http://plana.marksandspencer.com/we-are-doing/sustainable-raw-materials/stories/6/ [Accessed on 14/01/12]. Next. (2012). Annual report 2012. Available online at:  http://ir2.flife.de/data/next/igb_html/index.php?bericht_id=1000007index=lang=ENG  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Parliament UK. (2012). Aging population. Available online at:  http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/value-for-money-in-public-services/the-ageing-population/  [Accessed in 13/01/13]. Retail Bulletin. (2013). Its time for retailers to prepare for the worst and adapt to climate extremes. Available online at: http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/its_time_for_retailers_to_prepare_for_the_worst_and_adapt_to_climate_extremes_07-01-13/ [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Shepherd, J. (2010). Englands schools are becoming more diverse. Available online at:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jan/20/schools-more-diverse  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Syal, R. (2012). Amazon, Google and Starbucks accused of diverting UK profits. The Guardian Newspaper. Available online at:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/12/amazon-google-starbucks-diverting-uk-profits  [Accessed on 18/01/13]. Telegraph. (2012). Budget 2012: Corporation tax cut will boost UK but not enough. Available online at:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/9158950/Budget-2012-Corporation-tax-cut-will-boost-UK-but-not-enough.html  [Accessed on 24/11/12]. Tutt, L. (2012). Market report 2012 Gambling and betting. Key Note. Oct 2012. World Bank. (2012). GDP annual growth %. Available online at: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG [Accessed on 12/01/13]. Zarrella, D. (2010). The social media marketing book. California: OReilly Media. Automobile Sector Analysis: Five Forces and SWOT Automobile Sector Analysis: Five Forces and SWOT 1. Overview of the automobile sector Five forces analysis Competitive Rivalry between Existing Players: High Competition between existing automobile companies is high. Although the automobile market was dominated by the three big auto manufacturers in US, Toyota and Honda in Japan, the situation is changed. With the growing demand in emerging market, the emerging competitors in China and India may drive an intensified price competition. However, the competition could also focus on the safety, warranty and financial services etc. Threat of New Entrants: Medium Although the entrant barrier is high for the automobile industry because the requirement of capital and technology, an increasing number of automobile manufacturers are emerging in China and Asia due to the economic expansion and growing demand. However, these automakers are in the development status and may not catch up the leading technology in Japan and US, so the threat from new entrants is medium. Threats of Substitutes: Low Customers could choose to switch to transportation means other than automobile such as bicycles, buses and subways. However, the automobile is still the favourite despite the relevant high cost than other mentioned transportation means because its flexibility, comfort and convenience. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Low In automobile industry, the component supplier has little bargaining power because the manufacturer could switch to other suppliers easily. On the other hand, the components are generally low value and the suppliers find it difficult to bargain with automakers. Bargaining Power of Customers: High The competition in the automobile industry is intense as mentioned above. So the customers have many choices on the brands and models. Customers care about the quality, price, safety, comfort, appearance of the car. Recently, customers are also more and more concerned about the environmental effect of the automobile and the energy efficiency. So the customers get more and more bargaining power in automobile industry. 2. Toyota Motor Company 2.1 Overview of the company Company profile Toyota Motor Corp. is one of the largest and leading automobiles manufacturers in the globe. It operates in three main business segments; the two biggest are automobile and financial services whereas the third one is comprised by many smaller other divisions. It is spread worldwide as it has 50 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries and regions Toyota designs, manufactures and sales passenger cars of several types and utilities, trucks, tractors and material handling equipment, minivans and other car accessories. Its products can be divided into 2 main categories, conventional and hybrid vehicles. The company sells its products under Toyota, Lexus, Hino and Daihatsu brands The company is also engaged in the financial industry as it provides financing to its customers and dealers. It is also involved in housing, marine, e-commercial, ITS and biotechnological activities. Toyota sells its vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. Toyotas primary markets are Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. It is headquartered in Toyota City, Japan and employed around 316,121 people as on March 31, 2008 Strategy Analysis Toyotas strategy can be summarised under three key principles; growth, efficiency and stability. These are the three priorities the companys management will pursue to achieve future sustainable growth and increase the economic value. Growth will be achieved through continuous investment mainly in hybrid vehicle segment to meat the increasing demand. Efficiency is mainly focused on cost management and further reduction in order for the company to be able to provide high quality products in affordable prices and maintain its competitive advantages. Stability will be ensured by maintaining a solid financial base. Within the economic downturn it is important for Toyota to maintain sufficient liquidity in order to continue to finance its investments in research and development of new technologies, which is an integral and essential part of the companys advantages. Peer Group As Toyota operates in the global market its competitors come from all around the world. Its major competitors are BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Fiat S.p.A., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., PSA Peugeot, Renault S.A., Volkswagen AG and many others SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Strong overall financial performance Strong reputation and quality Strong position is Asian market Research and development Production pipeline system and cost management Diversified product portfolio Financial services are still undeveloped Huge expenses on pensions and post-retirement benefits Opportunities Threats Increasing demand for hybrid and environmental-friendly cars Expansion in emerging Asian markets Financial and other non-auto division development New car models Global economic crisis Strong competition in automotive industry Yen and US dollar exchange rates Tight environmental regulations on carbon emissions Problems with specific components of sold cars. (Recent brake problem) 2.1. Key Financials Analysis 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Sales 207,852.40 264,120.58 202,821.01 178,294.05 173,443.60 Operating Income -4,667.52 22,809.82 18,959.84 15,919.51 15,192.39 Net Income Available to Common -4,423.79 17,259.05 13,923.62 11,629.63 10,950.45 Total Assets 292,725.95 324,979.61 275,051.76 242,604.35 227,515.08 Total Liabilities 185,398.39 199,132.47 169,488.89 148,104.55 138,230.49 Common Equity 101,865.07 119,249.79 100,242.15 89,502.94 84,563.86 Net Cash Flow Operating Activities 14,724.7 26,357.6 27,783.5 22,136.2 22,144.6 * IMPORTANT First year to report losses * Stable increase in sales Decline in 2009 greatly affects income * Severe decrease in cash flow from operating activities, nearly 50% * Very big difference between sales and operating income points out severe cost expenses for the company. As this differences is constantly increasing it is not far from the truth to say that Toyota is gradually loosing its competitive advantages in cost efficiency against its competitors. * General trend in key financial s shows a steady and permanent increase until 2008 and a sharp decline in 2009, due to severe problems of economic recession and its great impact on automobiles industry. This trend applies for almost all financial s, pointing out that the companys performance as a whole followed a movement like this. 2.3. Multiples analysis 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Price To Earnings -22.43 9.19 14.74 15.25 11.23 Price To Book 0.97 1.32 2.04 1.97 1.44 Price To Cash Flow 7.41 4.83 7.83 7.80 5.87 Price To Sales 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.7 * Multiples follow companys general trend, namely increase until 2007 and then decreasing sharply * Consistent with overall picture of company, multiple analysis show the economic downturn of the entity from 2007 onwards * Point to mention: negative P/E ratio. Markets expectation about company looks really slim. The economic crisis, alongside with its severe problems generating income and its recently damaged reputation, create really unfortunate future prospects for Toyota. The negative P/E ratio and specifically its magnitude (-22) implies that nobody is neither willing to pay to buy the companys share nor expecting any profit generation. * Very sharp decline as well; 31.62 units is something extremely noticeable. If we focus on decline itself, it shows an extremely quick unfavorable turn of the market towards the company. 2.4. Companys performance 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Profitability Return on Equity -3.98 14.49 14.68 14.00 13.60 Operating Profit Margin -2.25 8.64 9.35 8.93 8.76 Asset Utilization Total Assets Turnover 0.71 0.81 0.74 0.73 0.76 Net Sales % Working Capital 28.93 180.70 1412.62 29.78 15.30 Gearing EBITDA / Interest Expense 20.94 86.19 77.33 153.70 146.20 Long Term Debt/ Common Equit 62.63 50.40 52.92 53.41 55.44 Valuation Investment Earnings Per Share -1.41 5.43 4.34 3.57 3.32 Dividend Yield Close 3.21 2.82 1.59 1.40 1.63 Liquidity Quick Ratio 0.81 0.77 0.76 0.81 0.87 Current Ratio 1.07 1.01 1.00 1.07 1.15 * Negative profitability in 2009 * Fluctuating sales/working capital as a result of fluctuation if investments (working capital) * Gearing increase in 2009 at the same time with high decrease of interest cover * Stable and quite low liquidity 2.5. Cash Flow analysis 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Cash Flow Operating Activities 14,724.7 26,357.6 27,783.5 22,136.2 22,144.6 Cash Flow Investing Activities (12,265.3) (34,254.0) (32,727.4) (29,704.4) (28,591.6) Cash Flow Financing Activities 6,967.4 6,242.7 7,565.6 7,716.8 3,917.0 Effect of exchange rates -1,294.04 -749.27 218.18 604.94 232.09 Net Cash Flow 8,132.86 -2,402.99 2,839.91 753.58 -2,297.85 * Severe decrease in cash flow from operating activities, nearly 50% which vividly affects its operating income * Extreme decrease in investing activities around 70%, probably caused by cash shortage and policy change. The company issued a new project with main goal to improve profits and cover operating expenses and as a result we see a large negative impact in new investments. * Financing activities exhibit a stationary trend over the past few years indicating the stable financial policy of the entity. * Adverse effects of exchange rates during the last two years indicating the risk the company runs because of the Yens depreciation to the U.S dollar and the Euro. 2.6. Stock Performance The companys share performance seems to move according to the index, with the trend to over perform it constantly. We can see the decline of the shares price, which started right before the end of 2008, following the global economic recession. At the turning point, which is in the beginning of 2009, we observe a relatively high trading volume, probably indicating the forthcoming upward movement. It is also really significant to point out the extreme high trading volume observed during the first months of 2010, followed by a new decline of the shares price. This reflects the problems that Toyota is facing nowadays. There is a considerable lack of trust from the market towards the company which is mainly caused by its severely damaged reputation and loss of quality. 3. Ford Motor Company 3.1 Overview of the company A . Company profile The group operates in two segments: Automotive and Financial Services. For the automotive segment which consists of Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo has a main operating activity in manufacturing, sale and service of component for cars and trucks. The Financial services segment is included of financing, insurance and leasing regarding to cars, trucks, industrial equipment, construction equipment and other activities. The company has operation in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia- Pacific. B. Strategy Analysis  · One Ford The Company has initiated the new strategy called â€Å"One Ford† which has detail as follow: o ONE TEAM focuses the significant of team work in order to reach the automotive leadership. The measurement is satisfactory of business partners, employees, investors, and related companies. o ONE PLAN: The four-step plan has been established which composed of: balance between cost structure and revenue; develop new product follow customer preference; develop balance sheet status and finance the plan; and cooperation around the world to leverage companys resources. o ONE GOAL: That is â€Å"to create an exciting and viable company with profitable growth for all†. Ford has started the restructuring business process before the economic crisis which the Company has reduced the excess capacity, closed some unprofitable plants and lower excess workforce. In addition, Ford has improved the product line in term of higher quality, more safety, use less energy and more economic. * Affordable Fuel Economy: Focusing on deliver fuel efficiency engine to the market. For example, the 2010 Ford Fusion is now Americas most fuel efficient midsize sedan for both the hybrid and conventional gasoline models. * Electrification strategy: plan to bring pure batteryelectric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market quickly and more affordably over the next four years. * Safety leadership: Ford got totaling 16 models picked from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which more than other brands. * EcoBoostâ„ ¢ Engine: delivers significant gains in fuel economy along with a great performance drive feel. C. Peer Group Fords peer group is Daimler AG, Fiat Spa ¸ Honda Motor Company Limited, Motors Liquidation Company, Nissan Motor Company Limited, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG. D. Fords SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses l Wide geographic Operate throughout the world and has a strong market in North America, Europe and Asia. Sales of each region of 2008 are 49%, 39% and 12% respectively. The well diversified market of ford reduces the risk of economic problem in specific area. l Brand royalty Ford has renowned reputation about quality and also owns other renowned brands such as Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. l Quality car Ford owns totaling 16 models of car that rated as safety car by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety l Product Recall Experienced many recalled products due to the quality of defective cruise control switch which may cause fire. Even though there is no fire cases reported but the Companys reputation is negative affected. l Negative operating result l Low gross margin GSKs long-term debt increased by 115.5% in 2008, which may lead to problems such as heavy interest payment, risk of having too little working capital and even increasing possibilities of bankruptcy. l Too much long-term debt This may lead to problems such as heavy interest payment, risk of having too little working capital and even increasing possibilities of bankruptcy. Opportunities Threats l Expanding market in emerging market Ford has a plan to expand its sale in the emerging market which has great buying power in the future. l Eco-friendly engine Ford has high reputation in the eco-friendly engine such as hybrid engine which has very promising market. l Fuel efficiency Ford found another opportunity in the market for fuel-efficient in small and middle car. l High competition Due to new competitor, lower demand and excess capacity. l Economic crisis Economic crisis and regression in USA where is the main market of Ford caused severe effect to the Company. 3.2. Key Financial Analysis Source: ThomsonFinancial Scaling Factor : 1,000,000 USD Currency: USD 12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/06 12/31/05 12/31/04 Net Sales or Revenues 146,277.00 172,455.00 160,123.00 177,089.00 171,652.00 Operating Income 3,518.00 8,031.00 -8,167.00 7,010.00 10,681.00 Earnings Before Interest And Taxes (EBIT) -4,885.00 6,792.00 -6,689.00 9,354.00 11,669.00 Interest Expense On Debt 9,682.00 10,927.00 8,783.00 7,643.00 7,071.00 Net Income Available to Common -14,681.00 -2,764.00 -12,615.00 2,441.00 3,634.00 Total Assets 215,773.00 276,459.00 275,337.00 264,891.00 294,447.00 ST Debt Current Portion of LT Debt 63,972.00 61,052.00 62,456.00 59,904.00 66,433.00 Long Term Debt 90,716.00 107,478.00 109,593.00 94,428.00 106,540.00 Total Liabilities 231,889.00 269,410.00 277,643.00 250,812.00 277,525.00 Common Equity -17,311.00 5,628.00 -3,465.00 12,957.00 16,045.00  · Net sales decreased from 2007 about 15% as the economic crisis in the State which is the main market of Ford. The Company has had substantial losses from operation since 2006.  · Ford has high outstanding of long-term loan which may causes liquidity deficiency or bankruptcy if the Company still has continuously loss in the future.  · As a result of net losses from operation since 2006, Ford has had negative shareholders equity since then. 3.3. Multiples Analysis MONTHLY HISTORICAL MARKET PRICES Y2008 Y2007 Y2006 Y2005 Y2004 January 6.64 8.13 8.58 13.17 14.54 February 6.53 7.91 7.97 12.65 13.75 March 5.72 7.89 7.96 11.33 13.57 April 8.26 8.04 6.95 9.11 15.36 May 6.80 8.34 7.16 9.98 14.85 June 4.81 9.42 6.93 10.24 15.65 July 4.80 8.51 6.67 10.74 14.72 August 4.46 7.81 8.37 9.97 14.11 September 5.20 8.49 8.09 9.86 14.05 October 2.19 8.87 8.28 8.32 13.03 November 2.69 7.51 8.13 8.13 14.18 December 2.29 6.73 7.51 7.72 14.64 . 5 Year 5 Year VALUATION Y2008 Y2007 Y2006 Y2005 Y2004 Y2003 Growth Rate Average P/E Ratio (High) -1.36 -6.93 -1.41 12.94 9.63 34.66 -1.04 2.57 P/E Ratio (Low) -0.16 -4.75 -0.90 6.64 7.01 13.16 -1.01 P/E Ratio (Close) -0.35 -4.81 -1.12 6.77 8.13 32.00 -1.01 1.73 Price/Sales 0.04 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.18 -0.80 0.10 Price/Book Value -0.32 2.62 -4.14 1.14 1.74 2.62 -3.94 0.21 Price/Cash Flow 0.44 1.24 1.76 0.70 1.11 1.35 -0.67 1.05 Price/Working Capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.16 7.78 TARenderChart.png * P/E ratio turned to be negative since net losses from operation since 2006 and also the market price has continuously decreased from 8.58 in the beginning of 2006 to 2.29 at the end of 2008. * P/B ratio had negative value in 2008 from the negative book value of Ford. 3.4. Companys performance Worldscope Currency: USD PROFITABILITY RATIOS 12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/06 12/31/05 12/31/04 Return On Invested Capital 0.25 1.92 1.95 2.95 3.32 Operating Profit Margin 2.43 2.94 3.12 5.02 6.54 ASSETS UTILIZATION RATIOS Asset Turnover 0.63 0.60 0.59 0.59 0.58 Net Sales Pct Working Capital 10.62 6.21 5.68 11.06 41.64 LEVERAGE RATIOS EBITDA / Interest Expense -0.50 0.62 -0.76 1.22 1.65 LT Debt Pct Common Equity -76.88 233.49 316.38 1,268.12 1,229.66 LIQUIDITY RATIOS Quick Ratio 1.05 1.08 1.12 1.08 1.03 Current Ratio 1.21 1.25 1.30 1.25 1.19  · Profitability ratios do not show the good performance as Ford has had net loss from operation since 2006.  · Leverage ratios also go in the same trends as a result of negative equity and high outstanding balance of long-term loan.  · Liquidity ratios present that Ford still can generate cash to supply its working capital but if consider to the long-term debts Ford may cannot provide enough cash to support its debt payment since these ratios are still in the low range compared with its debt outstanding amount. 3.5. Cash flow analysis Source: ThomsonFinancial Scaling Factor : 1,000,000 USD Currency: USD 12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/06 12/31/05 12/31/04 Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities -179.00 17,074.00 9,609.00 21,674.00 22,591.00 Net Cash Flow From Investing Activities 3,143.00 6,457.00 24,862.00 -7,462.00 8,567.00 Long Term Borrowings 42,163.00 33,113.00 58,258.00 24,559.00 22,223.00 Inc(Dec) In ST Borrowings -5,120.00 919.00 -5,825.00 -8,591.00 4,937.00 Reduction In Long Term Debt 46,299.00 39,431.00 36,601.00 36,080.00 36,021.00 Net Cash Flow From Financing Activities -9,104.00 -5,242.00 15,273.00 -20,651.00 -14,226.00  · The Company cannot generated sufficient cash from operation and had negative net cash flow from operation. Moreover the Company had to pay interest expenses for loans and had high net cash paid for financing activity. 3.6. Stock market performance  · Ford shares have been traded lower than SP500 since 2001 until 2010. Especially since 2006 that the operating results had continuous substantial losses. 4. Honda Motor Company Limited 4.1. Introduction Honda Motor is one of leading automobile manufacturers in the world. The company develops, manufactures and markets automobiles, motorcycles and power products. The company also provides financing services to the dealer and customer for the sale of products. Honda has global operations in areas including North, South and Central America, Asia, Middle East, and Europe with its headquarter at Tokyo in Japan. Strategy analysis Honda Motor has three strategies. They are â€Å"Staying Close to Customers†, â€Å"glocalization† and â€Å"five region strategy†. Staying close to customers mean the maintenance of the qualities of a small company, Provide value product with flexibility and efficiency as a small company does and maintain global reach and technology advantage as a large company does is the drive to the future growth of Honda. Glocalization means the effort to launch subsidiaries in regions that could best meet the demand of local customers and expand the subsidiaries as the local demand increases. Five region strategy requires the operations focus on five areas the world. They are North America, South America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia/Oceania and Japan. The management decisions are served to suit the situation in different areas. The advanced RD capacity equips the Honda to provide flexible products to adjust the need of these regions. Business activities The company operates through four business segments: the automobile business, motorcycle business, financial services, and power products. The automobiles business division manufactures passenger cars, multi-wagons, minivans, port utility vehicle, sports coupe and mini vehicles. Hondas automobiles use gasoline engines of three, four or six-cylinder, diesel engines and gasoline-electric hybrid systems. Honda also offers alternative fuel-powered vehicles such as natural gas, ethanol, and fuel cell vehicles. In 2008, the company sold 3,925,000 units of automobiles. The motorcycle business produces a range of motorcycles, including scooters, electric-motor-assisted bicycles, sports bikes and large touring cycles. Hondas motorcycles use gasoline engines developed by Honda that are air or water cooled, two or four cycled, and single, two, four or six cylinder. In 2008, the company sold a total of 9,320,000 units of motorcycles. Honda offers a variety of financial services to its customers and dealers through its widespread finance subsidiaries. Hondas power products manufactures a variety of power products including power tillers, portable generators, general purpose engines, grass cutters, outboard engines, water pumps, snow throwers, power carriers, power sprayers, lawn mowers and lawn tractors (riding lawn mowers). Honda also manufactures the major components and parts used in its products, including engines, frames and transmissions. Peer Group The globalization of the Honda motor makes it face the global intense competition. The competitors include Ford Motor, Nissan Motor, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen etc.(in the automobile sector) and Yamaha Motor, Harley-Davidson etc.(in the motor vehicle industry). SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses l Global diversification The company operates a total of 397 subsidiaries, and 104 affiliates all over the world. l Leading market position and good brand image Honda is one of the largest vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers over the world with strong brand strength. l Strong Research and Development capacity The large investment in RD could equip Honda the capability to differentiate itself in the intense competitive market. l Declining Market Share in Sector Evident of decline in unit sales and lost of market shares in the automobile industry. l Low employee productivity Honda has a weak proportion on the number of employees and the revenues. Opportunities Threats l Growing demand in Asian market Honda has taken measures to occupy the huge potential Asian market. l Growing demand in hybrid electric vehicles The companys emphasis on hybrid technology innovation will capture market trends as an opportunity to enhance its market share. l Global competition The competition would result in price pressure and thus reduce the profitability. l Tightening emission regulations The emission standards will cause Honda to occur more costs in product development, testing and manufacturing process design. 4.2. Key Financials Analysis Source: ThomsonFinancial Currency: JPY Scaling Factor : 1000000 JPY 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Sales 10,011,241.00 12,002,834.00 11,087,140.00 9,907,996.00 8,650,105.00 Operating Income 189,643.00 953,109.00 851,879.00 730,889.00 630,920.00 Net Income Available to Common 137,005.00 600,039.00 592,322.00 597,033.00 486,197.00 Total Assets 11,579,494.00 12,439,610.00 11,964,917.00 10,533,995.00 9,187,808.00 Total Liabilities 7,449,150.00 7,753,539.00 7,359,399.00 6,320,785.00 5,828,513.00 Common Equity 4,007,288.00 4,544,265.00 4,482,611.00 4,125,750.00 3,289,294.00 Net Cash Flow Operating Activities 383641 1126918 904525 576557 746624 l The operating income reduces dramatically, approximately 80% from the previous years result. This result is caused by the severe decline in the sales and the consequently increase in inventory cost. l Before 2009, all the s are in a healthy and steady upward trend. But in the fiscal year ended at 31st march 2009, the volumes all experienced a dramatic decline. They are caused by the sales plunge. l The declines trends are due to the economic recession caused by the financial crisis because the demand in Japan, US and Europe shrank. The automobile industry faces a severe challenge and most companies in the sector reported unsatisfactory results. 4.3. Multiple analysis 31/3/2009 31/3/2008 31/3/2007 31/3/2006 31/3/2005 Price To Earnings 30.7 8.6 10.3 Price To Book 1.0 1.1 1.6 1.5 Price To Cash Flow 4.6 4.2 6.8 Price To Sales 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.6 l Although the P/E ratio increases significantly, its not a good sign. The increase in P/E ratio is not due to the high expectation of the investors and the fundamentals such as growth opportunities. Instead, the soaring P/E is the result of the plummeting earnings to common shareholders. l The price to book ratio and price to sales declined in 2008 and 2009, indicating the declining

Monday, January 20, 2020

Anne Hutchinson :: essays research papers fc

ANNE HUTCHINSON Anne Hutchinson made the journey to the New World to break away from the Church of England. Anne wanted to feel free to express her increasingly Puritan views. Upon expressing these views, the government of Massachusetts believed that Anne was a great threat to the social and political order of Massachusetts Bay. Anne Hutchinson had claimed that a holy life was no sure sign of salvation and that the truly saved need not bother to obey the law of either God or man (Cohen, 47). Anne was basically telling the people that if they were already chosen by God to go to heaven, it did not matter whether they attended church because they were already chosen to go to heaven. Her claim also meant that if they were not chosen by God to go to heaven, it did not matter if they went to church because they were already chosen to go to hell. This also meant that they didn’t have to listen to the law of man. This was a great threat towards the government of Massachusetts. If all peoples were to live by what Anne claimed, there would not be any law-abiding citizens. The whole state would turn into a state of corruption. The government of Massachusetts was not going to let this happen. It was the very life of the colony that they should have conformity. They had to protect the unity of the colony. The government felt that Anne challenged all male supremacy. Women like Anne Hutchinson, strong-willed and very talkative, were unheard of during this time period, and had no real place in society. The role of a woman during the colonization period of the New World was basically that of a housewife. The chief duty as a wife was to her husband and children. Gathering a select group at her home, she would review and even reinterpret the ministers’ sermons in the light of her own brand of Calvinism (Bailey, 45). She taught them that every person could ask and receive an answer from God if they would listen. If Anne would continue to express her thoughts amongst other women, all women would become a challenge to all male supremacy. The government of Massachusetts was forbidding letting this happen to their society.