Sunday, December 29, 2019

Climate Change And Global Warming - 928 Words

This paper will discuss climate change and global warming on the economy. The paper also gives a description on climate change and global warming. As well as what it hold for future business owners. It will also discuss what the government is doing about climate change/global warming. Climate change is a long-term shift in the statistics of the weather (including its averages). For example, it could show up as a change in climate normal (expected average values for temperature and precipitation) for a given place and time of year, from one decade to the next (NOAA, 2007). Global warming refers to the gradual warming of global-average temperatures due to the slowly increasing concentrations of man-made atmospheric greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. But global warming can alternatively refer to simply the observation of warming (Weatherstreet, 2013). The effects of global warming are already visible in many area of the world. For example, in Montanas Glacier National Park, whe re about 150 glaciers were once located, only 25 glaciers larger than 25 acres remain, according to the U.S Geological Survey (Bradford. A., 2014). Scientists have expressed confidence that climate change will make hurricanes more intense, as well the unusually strong hurricanes that have formed over the past few years give evidence for this (Bradford. A., 2014). A growing number of business leaders, government officials and private citizens are concerned about global warming and itsShow MoreRelatedGlobal Warming And Climate Change974 Words   |  4 Pagesabout global warming, whether it is true or false. Is there evidence to prove that global warming has impacted the climate due to the rise in the earth’s temperature? Climate change is a problem that is worldwide that should be reviewed. The rise in the earth’s temperature has caused some impact to the weather and climate changes to many places worldwide. This rise in temperature has the potential of causing d rastic changes to the earth in many ways. It is time to view the global warming concernsRead MoreClimate Change Of Global Warming924 Words   |  4 Pages Figure 0.1 shows the different effects of global warming. Global warming is the warming of our planet at an extreme rate. The Earth’s climate has warmed by 7.8OC since 1880. (Quick facts about science, 2015). What causes global warming? The cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide. This acts like a blanket. Protecting the earth, and heating the earth. Sun rays would normally bounce around the earth, but with the blanket, the sun rays heat the blanket which heats the earth. (Petersen ScienceRead MoreGlobal Warming And Climate Change1398 Words   |  6 Pages Global warming and climate change have been frequent topics of discussion over the past several years. Although people tend to focus on the politics, it is important to look past the media aspects of it into the cold hard facts of what our Earth is currently experiencing, and what has caused it in the first place. The cause of climate change includes natural causes, but human causes are what is generating such a rapid global temperature change. It’s time that the ways in which humanity affectsRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1060 Words   |  5 PagesClimate change (Klaus) 1000 The terms â€Å"global warming†, â€Å"climate change† or â€Å"greenhouse effect† have become more than just parts of the popular lexicon as they rather are subject of public discussions, scientific research or political debates. Despite the popularity and the ubiquity of these terms, the public’s theoretical and conceptual understanding of them and their causal relations is often based on superficial knowledge and buzzwords or caricatures outlined and depicted in several popular mediaRead MoreClimate Change : Global Warming1194 Words   |  5 PagesDonya Curtis April 19, 2017 English 1001-rough draft Global Warming Global warming is one facet of the broader term climate change. It is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth s surface air and oceans from the mid 20th century and the projected continuation. The Global warming is primarily the consequence of building up greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Emission rates for most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas, CO2, have increased 120 fold in the past 140 years. WhileRead MoreClimate Change and Global Warming1074 Words   |  5 PagesClimate change and Global Warming are out of control. This means that, no matter what policies, processes or actions are implemented, the Earth as we know it will never be the same again. There is significant evidence to support this hypothesis. The dilemma becomes whether we can limit the damage and adapt to a new status quo or not. Rising sea levels and the damage caused by this phenomenon has irreversible impacts on coastlines worldwide. Damage to sensitive reef systems cannot be fixed. This alsoRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1022 Words   |  5 PagesWhat = Climate Change Who = Emma, Aoife, Julia, Rachael, Mariah and Cà ©line What is it? Climate Change is a change in the demographic distribution of weather patterns, and related change in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, happening over time scales of decades or longer. It’s the world’s greatest threat. Climate change is the change in temperature over a period of time. It involves the greenhouse effect and global warming. Where is it? It is an issue affecting everyone everywhere. ClimateRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1474 Words   |  6 Pagesphenomenon, known as â€Å"smog† became an often daily occurrence in big, urbanized cites across the globe. Also, Al Gore’s book, An Inconvenient Truth, popularized the issue of climate change and global warming as a result of the damage that the modern world has done to the atmosphere. He noted that people resist the facts about climate change due to the inconvenience of changing their lifestyles. But, uninhibited industrialization of several countries has led to intense modernization and revolution of theRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1630 Words   |  7 PagesClimate Related Threats Global warming will lead to uncontrollable devastation such as famine, war, and economic instability. Climate change will accelerate the dislocation of hundreds of millions of people and the extinction of many species. The negative effects of climate change are obvious on every continent. Professor Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia said, The human influence on climate change is clear. The atmosphere andRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1412 Words   |  6 Pages Earth’s climate has been changed for hundreds of year dating back to the beginning of man to the ice age and today, and with that change came scientists who have been keeping track and gathering data on these changes in the climate. The climate is the source of life it provides a secure environment setting for life forms to thrive without a proper climatic setting life would begin to dwindle and eventually all life forms would go extinct . But why is the climate so important moreover exactly what

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The International Telephone And Telegraph Company

1. Introduction Big companies such as Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) is characteristic of the capitalist economic system which have a role as non-state actors. However, it is shown to have an important role and can determine the direction of the economy of a country that these companies invested. Multinational enterprises have developed since the early 19th century. In the 20th century, with the growth of information technology and transport, causing the expansion of international trade is increasing. Attributed to the establishment of branches in different countries to produce products which looks similar products manufactured in the home country in all respects and began to move the capital from the United States to invest in†¦show more content†¦Moreover, these companies are also ready to move their production bases to another country or to layoffs and downsizing their companies if their business are unsuccessful. It causes tremendous equality between the companies and the countries that have been investing. Despite the advantages of an investment may entail technology transfer, production and employment in the country, it has the effect of trade liberalization on that companies can easily withdraw the investment. Including, technology transfer in production to those subsidiaries have been inherited by these companies are not absolutely perfectly. It could be that the relationship between the parent company and subsidiaries is the parent company control and plays a major role over the subsidiaries and based on the pursuit of profit as much as possible. This essay will provide the examples of two big companies which focus on multinational enterprises in different continents which have high turnover but on the other hand, there are problems that arise from the operation of these companies, as well as the impact on third parties that may lead to reduce the credibility of companies. The samples have to be taken into consideration and analysis in pers pective of foreign investors, civil society actors and the reaction of government actors as well. 2. What is Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)? Organisation for Economic Co-operation and

Friday, December 13, 2019

Studying chromosome 11 of the human genome Free Essays

In this paper I will be studying chromosome 11 of the human genome. Specifically, I will be researching some of the diseases that occur when there are mutations in the genes on chromosome 11. Five specific diseases will be looked at and studied in detail: the Sickle Cell Anemia gene, the MLL gene which causes Trisomy 11, the H19 gene which causes Beckwith-Weideman Syndrome, the WT1 and PAX6 genes which causes Wilm’s Tumor syndrome, and finally, the work being done on the genes of Chromosome 11q22-q24 regarding cervical carcinoma. We will write a custom essay sample on Studying chromosome 11 of the human genome or any similar topic only for you Order Now The following research was all acquired from the NCBI online database. Read this Ch. 22 Respiratory System The HBB gene which causes Sickle Cell Anemia, is found on chromosome 11p15. 4. This gene causes an inherited blood disorder, mainly effecting people from the African continent (1/500), but also people from the Mediterranean and South Asian countries. (NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) Approximately 8% of the African American population are carriers; often, this gene is associated with malaria occurrence, as carriers are somewhat protected against malaria. (NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal (not sex related) recessive disease caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin beta gene. When a mutation occurs, the HBB gene produces a structurally abnormal hemoglobin (Hb), called HbS. (NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) Hb is a protein which carries oxygen and gives red blood cells their distinctive color. In individuals who are homozygous for HbS, the abnormal HbS can bunch together, distorting the red blood cells into sickled shapes [as shown in Figure 1]. These clusters can only occur if the HbS is placed under certain circumstances or conditions, such as high hemoglobin concentrations or low oxygen levels. NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) When the mutated and rigid red blood cells become trapped within small blood vessels, they block the vessels causing pain and eventual damage to the organs in the body. (NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) Although a cure has not yet been found, medical advancements have allowed for the treatment of symptoms and complications associated with Sickle Cell Anermia. Hydroxyurea, an antitumor drug, has been used to induce the formation of fetal Hb (HbF), which is normally found in the fetus or newborn. When fetal Hb is present in persons with Sickle Cell Anemia, Hydrozyurea can prevent sickling from occuring. NCBI Online, 24 June 2003) The MLL gene which causes Trisomy 11 is located on chromosome 11q23. A mutation in this gene is a â€Å"very rare chromosomal disorder caused by a duplication (trisomy) of the end (distal) portion of the long arm of chromosome 11. † (Genetic Information and Patient Services, November 2003) This disorder is most often noticeable at birth; some characteristic features of the disorder are â€Å"delayed mental and physical development, retarded growth of the fetus during pregnancy and of the child after birth, an unusually small brain (microencephaly), and/or distinctive facial features. (Genetic Information and Patient Services, November 2003) The MLL gene can produce a type of leukemia which effects both sexes and mainly adults at an average age of 60. (Dessen Huret, 2002) In general terms, trisomy refers to â€Å"the condition of having three copies of a given chromosome in each somatic cell rather than the normal number of two. † (Dictionary. com) The leukemia is specifically acute myeloid leukemia or AML. This syndrome is caused by only a partial tandem duplication of the MLL gene on chromosome 11. Dessen Huret, 2002) A recent study has shown that â€Å"MLL tandem duplications are less common than previously reported. † (Schnittger, October 2003) Also, the MLL tandem duplications â€Å"are preferentially observed in AML with normal karyotypes, but can also be found in the presence of chromosome alterations. † (Schnittger, October 2003) Two scientists, Cheryl Shuman and Rosanna Weksberg studied the Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, also referred to as BWS syndrome. The information for BWS syndrome is from their reports on their studies. Their studies show that â€Å"chromosome abnormalities involving 11p15 are found in 1% or less of cases. † (Shuman, 10 April 2003) This syndrome can occur with mutations of many different genes on chromosome 11: mutations in genes IGF2 and H195, 5-10% of sporadic cases and 40% of familial cases had mutations in the CDKNIC gene, 50% of cases had a loss of methylation at the KCNQIOT1 gene, and in 10-20% of patients, â€Å"paternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 11p15 [was] observed. † (Shuman, 10 April 2003) In diagnosing BWS, two major and one minor characteristic must be obvious out of a list of possible criteria. Some major criteria include: history of BWS in the family, macrosomia, abnormal earlobe pits or creases, an embryonal tumor in childhood, Hemihyperplasia (an asymmetric overgrowth of a area/areas of the body), and possibly a cleft palate. (Shuman, 10 April 2003) Some minor criteria include: premature birth, Neonatal hypoglycemia, advanced bone aging, and monozygotic twinning (usually in the females). (Shuman, 10 April 2003) If one parent has uniparental disomy (UPD), then prenatal testing is done to test for BWS syndrome in the fetus. Shuman, 10 April 2003) Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome is found in approximately 1 out of 13, 700 cases across the world. However, this number is probably slightly low as there are many milder cases that often go undiagnosed. In children born with BWS, there is a 20% mortality rate due to premature birth. Often, children born with BWS develop Wilms Tumor or other tumors. (Shuman, 10 April 2003) Dr. Alan Gandy summarizes Wilms tumor as an â€Å"embryonal renal neoplasm which is characterized usually by an abdominal mass. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) Wilms tumour is caused by the deletion of the gene WT2-1 on chromosome 11p13. Proper function of this gene is to encode a DNA-binding protein that is most often found in the fetal kidney â€Å"and in tissue that gives rise to the genitourinary system. † (Gandy, 1 March 1995) The DNA-binding protein is expected to be a â€Å"Kruppel-like zinc-finger protein. † (Gandy, 1 March 1995) However, the inactivation of WT2-1 causes the Wilms Figure 2: Wilms Tumor tumor. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) This tumor is prevalent in 1/12 000 live births and is the second most common extra cranial solid tumor in children. The tumor appears in the kidney soon after birth (6 months-10 years)[as shown in Figure 3] and is related to other cancers. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) Wilms tumor is frequently a symptom of other gene mutations, such as BWS and WAGR syndrome. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) Features of the Primary Wilms tumor include abdominal mass [as shown in Figure 2], abdominal pain, hypertension, and anemia etc. Metastases occurs in the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, brain and other areas to a lesser extent. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) Depending on the stage of the tumor, different actions can be taken to cure the tumor. Surgery (removal of the kidney and lymph nodes) and chemotherapy are both used as ways to manage the tumor. However, as the stages progress, likelihood of a cure is reduced. (Gandy, 1 March 1995) Studies done by G. M. Hampton et al. show that there are genes or a gene on chromosome 11 that has the ability to â€Å"[suppress] tumorigenicity in cell lines derived from different histopathological types of cervical carcinoma, suggesting that aberration of this gene(s) may represent at least one of the additional changes required for tumorigenic progression. ( Hampton, 19 July 1994) The suppressor gene specified is between 11q22 and q24. A study was performed on 32 patients with cervical carcinoma to conclude which genes were required for tumorigenic progression. â€Å"Of the 32 patients examined, 14(44%) demonstrated clonal genetic alterations resulting in loss of heterzygosity for one or more markers. Seven of the clonal genetic alterations on chromosome 11 were specific to the long arm, and the overlap between these and other allelic deletions suggest that a suppressor gene(s) relevant to cervical carcinoma maps to chromosome 11q22-q24. â€Å"( Hampton, 19 July 1994) In conclusion, Chromosome 11 of the Human genome contains over 1000 genes. Of the many, this essay looks at 5 specifically in order to gather information on the genes of this chromosome. Through the closes study of Sickle Cell Anemia, Trisomy 11, Beckwith-Weideman Syndrome, Wilm’s Tumor syndrome, and the genes of Chromosome 11q22-q24 regarding cervical carcinoma, one can gather a better understanding of the genes on chromosome 11, and the type of mutations that occur. Although the Humane Genome Project is relatively new, there is already much information that has been revealed and still much more to be discovered. How to cite Studying chromosome 11 of the human genome, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

International Marketing for Travel and Tourism Managing a Restaurant

Question: Describe about the International Marketing for Travel and Tourism for Managing a Restaurant. Answer: Introduction Firmdale Hotels is an award-winning group of hotels comprising or eight luxury boutique hotels spread in the City of London and another one in the New York City. Founded in 1985 by Tim Kemp and Kit, the firm was the early pioneer of the boutique and hotel concept. The management has had to redefine the conception of the luxury hotel with their stylish and reasonably priced properties. Since the opening of its initial hotel named Dorset Square, the only other classic boutique hotel in the City of London was Anouska Hempels Blakes hotel. Quality in service delivery has been a number one drive at Firmdale Hotels, exhibited in the hotels individually designed bedrooms comprising of original pieces of artwork used to color the hotel. The hotels culture suits down to earth, mixed with an assortment of ambitious, genuinely friendly, and hardworking personnel. Competitive room rates have been subsidized by the restaurant as a measure of attracting contract guests over the next 6-12 months period. The survival of Firmdale Hotels in the present business setting will depend on repeat company contract clientele constancy to the brand. This implies that the brand ought to continue delivering on its values and promise (Rainsford Bangs, 2001, p. 13). Firmdale Hotels will be moderately priced. Background music comprising of popular Jimmy Buffet hits depicting sweet life on the water will mix with a variety of pop cultures. Having a rigorous and firm functioning plan will allow the restaurants management to focus more on building sales and not profit. Situation Analysis Firmdale Hotels hopes that the targeted market can be segmented into four distinct groups, ones that it will target. Group one will include the lonesome rich, whose number is approximately 4000. The second category is the young happy clients who are presently mounting at an annual rate of 5.5% with 2500 potential clients. Group 3 will include the rich hippies who are known known to love organic foods and ethnic cuisine. The final category comprises of clients that would be interested in the menus healthy offerings, and would mostly comprise of dieting women. Firmdale Hotels sales strategy will be to build and open newer locations as a means of increasing revenue. This plan will be executed when one of the hotels shows potential and progressive growth. Because the hotel is projected to build a good local customer base in the first 3 years of operation, the goal of the hotel will be $30 million in annual sales. Macro - PESTEL analysis Political Factor: The regulation from the government will be hygiene, healthy, food standards, and being allowed to serve approved foods. The restaurant industry will abide by the economic policies of governmental licenses and will allow constant inspection by the Department of Foods from the Ministry of Health. Economic Factor: The restaurant will have to deal with the fluctuating interest rates that are proportionate to the cost of capital. The economic trends in the region will compel the restaurant to seek for profitability and sustenance of the business. Social Factor: The hotel is armed with the knowledge that certain cultures in the region are now allowed to consume certain foods. It has learnt the background and culture of the country, region and people before initiating the restaurant business. The eating habits of the targeted clientele will definitively affect the sales of the restaurant. Technological: The restaurant understands that a good infrastructure would certainly assist the business to improve. The use of new technology will lead to reduced wages and would lower specific costs. Ecological Factor: Climate change remains a threat due to its negative effects on the restaurant. Legal Factor: The restaurant should follow the laid down legal requirements that are imposed on its macro-environment. This pertains to the impact of laws and regulation on all restaurants. Micro Factors- Porters 5 Forces Analysis New Entrants-The likelihood of having new entrants has been measured to be moderate. This is because it is conceivable to gain entry into the business, only that for a bigger entry, the investment is quite demanding. Sometimes the existing guidelines can be restrictive and the management and purchase requirements could contain financial and legal complexities. Threat of Substitutes-The hotel and tourism industry is not endangered by substitute products, implying that the threat posed by substitutes is very low. There exists no main danger of substitute products that are explicit to a hotels service or product. Supplier Threat-The power of suppliers is perceived to be modest in general. Independents have relatively small minute supremacy to impact the prices in fear of competition in order to gain treaties with the major rival hotels. Buyers Bargaining Power- In the case of Firmdale Hotels, the buyers bargaining power is moderate. There is no considerable influence coming from individual buyers including business traveler. The hotel brand is specialized on organization of big events and meetings including wedding days where buyers can have power on the cost. It must be mentioned that there is no big competition in the hotel service delivery. Rivalry-The rivalry for market share is going to be intense considering the fact that switching costs and product variation are both low. Firmdale Hotels is likely to experience direct competition drawn from other firms found in the same locality within or around the City of London, and providing the same kind of services and products to the same type of clientele group. The hotel further experiences indirect competition drawn from non-profit organizations that do compete for the clienteles non-refundable income. The Firmdale Hotels prides in its being among the leading hotels in London, and coupled with the rare market, this combination gives the hotel a strong position in high business competition. 2.3. SWOT This section provides an overview of the interior strengths together with flaws of the hotel, and the prospects plus fears facing the firm and especially in its external environment. Strengths Reputation: The restaurant hopes to establish itself as a strong reputation within both the local market and travel and corporate trade markets; destined to ensure quality, reliability, and excellent service. Brand strength: The restaurants brand values do represent stimulating brand loyalty amongst the present and new clients. Shared value: The restaurant will achieve a good propositional value, which is clear and well communicated. Weaknesses Facilities: certain rooms require to be upgraded and renovated in line with laptop links, high-speed internet access, and technical equipment. Systems: formalized systems resulting from comprehensive work environment could be improved. Opportunities Client dependency: repeat corporate business is based on individual quality and service in a luxurious environment. Competitors: presently, there exist no direct competition, specifically in terms of the 5-star niche. Threats Economy: it may take a lot of time to recover from slight recession. Substitutes: full serviced and furnished service apartments that offer lower daily rates. Summary of Key issues The hotel has made tremendous steps in order to maintain its key position as a leading luxury and tourism provider. It has embarked on increasing its advertising and promotional activity throughout its business life since its founding. Apart from providing state-of-the-art features, the hotel offers a contemporary style to enrich the original heritage. One of its business goals is to ensure that its clients feel that memorable experiences and ensuring that these clients consistently visit the hotel site. One of the Firmdale Hotels commitment is to be an active partaker in social responsibility. Being a boutique and luxury hotel, Firmdale Hotels has maintained a culture that incorporates people and celebrates the individuality of both its staff members and visitors. Firmdale Group of Hotels operates on believes that there is no request from clientele which it cannot meet, and thus always seeks to appreciate every applicable detail irrespective of the smallness of the matter. Firmdale Hotels has being the first hotel in the region to embrace technology advancement in bid to ensure that all its guests are well informed and that the hotel sets up its services. Challenges of Running a Boutique Luxury Brand Back then, Firmdale Hotels experienced very severe economic climatic challenges. It has once encountered problems touching on expansion plan due to the process of acquisition. Firmdale Hotels has further experienced various challenges in bid to separate other rival hotels. It was critical for the firm to embrace a more well-thought-out approach to talent development, planning, and communication. Such a competition was a key challenge faced by the firm; this scenario made the firm to both advertise and market itself anywhere for the public everything regarding the existence and service provision of Firmdale Hotels. The Firmdale Group of Hotels has further encountered the impact of problems that affect the travel sector including the airline strikes, security alerts, and volatile foreign currency markets. Current international marketing practice The hotel anticipates its customers to come from not only from London but also from across the world. It banks its hopes of tourists who love to be associated with the City of London, a city to behold. Within the market in Greater London, we have the Ham Yard Hotel and the Soho Hotel as our competitors. The Ham Yard Hotel has consistently served it clients with authentic Middle Eastern food but for starters the premise does not portray existence of a restaurant and customers need to come with their alcohol, and they pay a corkage charge of 1. On the other hand, Soho Hotel has been able to integrate into its menu a mix of English delicacies and the British food in its menu (Thomas, 2014). However, clients have complained about their specialty; the early bird menu requires one to book in advance and operates on specific hours. To be able to compete with our competitors, our services will be 24 hours a day, offer a variety of wine to our clients and our meals will be served with green t ea which according to English traditions is taken to aid in digestion after a heavy meal. London has been identified as the city with the highest number of expatriates from across the world into the United Kingdom (Zimmerer, 2002, p. 12). The opportunity in this market is very viable especially with a strictly English menu to serve the clients who are eager to sample the home country dishes. Firmdale Hotels marketing strategies accentuate to first create awareness to the customer regarding our services, develop the customer base and subsequently working to build the loyalty and referrals from the customers (Ryan, 2014, p. 19). Firmdale Hotels premise is positioned at the town center. Hence, it will be able to use print ads such as neon signs and utilize social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to attract clients. For Firmdale Hotels to suit in the well performing global businesses, there is a huge necessity for the firm to possess a linkage of channel relationships, resellers, and partners to aid them in intensifying globally. Careful choice of global partners is v ery crucial to the instigation of gaining entry into markets overseas. When attempting to outdistance the rival hotels to appear as the best market frontrunner, Firmdale Hotels should undertake any possible market mix to aid it. Potential Market Opportunity Firmdale Hotels will have a manager and 150 waiters and 30 cashiers working on a shift basis to ensure optimal service delivery to our clients (Zimmerer, 2002, p. 28). The hotel will equip the restaurant with high-end facilities such as the food display case, refrigerators and freezer, cooking equipment, food preparation equipment, kitchenware, restaurant furniture and electronic gadgets. Being a London delicacy hotel, it anticipates that it will import some of the ingredients to prepare its food and drinks from all over the globe. This group of hotels has already identified a London-based supplier for our items while other common items will be purchased from suppliers based in London. In case the Hotels operation management receives positive criticisms and implements them, the organization shall accomplish a considerable level of competence based on their openness to criticism. Therefore, the management would have renowned and valued their clientele perspective. Firmdale Hotels provides the best and most modified service to targeted clientele who parade their restaurant premises. The hotel will include required business essentials in its facilities, such as wireless access, internet connection, and easier access to conference rooms with technology and audio-visual needs together with catering for longer meetings. Sustainability in business is a strategy, which aims at achieving a balanced economic, environmental, and social influence of the business. This focuses on modalities of minimizing unconstructive impact of the three aspects to ensure opulence in the generations to come. To achieve this, the business has to stay faithful to its commitment to the environment and the community in which it operates for as long as it lasts. Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning Firmdale Hotels targets 3 core markets: 1) people working in the business district area during a normal working day; 2) neighbouring businesses looking for dinners during their business meetings; 3) and workers with families who go for cheap foods and. Firmdale Group of Hotels is dedicated to offering benefits and value to all its clientele, above the typical standard of other restaurant facilities at moderately reasonable rates. The firm thus seeks to provide its prospective clientele with an exceptional individual service and at a level of recognition, which they have come to accept. The firm will thus provide its clientele with a luxurious and relaxed environment within which a room will be sufficient to conduct any form of meetings and businesses (Vrtiprah, 2000, p. 770).The environment to be felt by the restaurants clientele should be one that cannot be felt by other competitors. According to the proposition by Ryan (2014, p. 19), the guests to the restaurant should always devel op a mutual relationship with the restaurant and ensure retention of value for their money, efficiency, and dependability in providing them with the required support. It is a relief that the London City in which Firmdale Hotels operates in has a very strong sense of community. The major thrust of strategy is to lever the companys ideal location together with a specialised cuisine into greater profits via higher prices and sales volume. Firmdale Hotels understands the underlying needs and seeks to satisfy customers needs. The restaurants approach is very simple. It plans to thrive by giving individuals a great mixture of health and interesting foods and an atmosphere that attracts trendy individuals. Critical Issues Bound to Affect the Overall Strategy Firmdale Hotels ventured into the international market to enjoy advantages and face some challenges. It is true that different nations have different ways of conducting business. Firmdale Hotels is thus bound to face a mix of cultural differences, thus the need for the company to actively learn the cultural mix all its target market areas. Leaders and managers drawn from the hotel and tourism industry, universities, and government leaders are among the persons that should smoothen the entry of the hotel and tourism industry. It is significant for the market participants to have a physical meeting in bid to comprehend the market and sign off the strategy. Recommended Marketing Mix Promotional Mix This strategy is centred on the adoption strategy by changing the design, packaging, and function components that meet the needs of the market. The key elements of the marketing mix are known as the marketing plan (the Ps). Product The product is essentially important because if it is absent, it turn out to be very unbearable to attain and match with the remaining Ps in the promotional mix. While designing hospitality service/product for various business services, leisure, food and beverage, high quality should be considered in the product. Place (or Location) This aspect in instrumental in the situation of Firmdale Hotels whenever the hotel management is figuring out the proper location for its hospitality business. The location of Firmdales main hotel and other 6 branches focuses enables the firm to determine the ideal place where clients are found most. Promotion This aspect is applicable in situations where the services/products provided on the market are indistinguishable. As a means of gaining economical benefit, it calls for the need for advertisement of such services and products meant to appeal to more clients. Providing promotions to clientele by giving them services and products free anytime they set principles is factor that would drive the company fo attract more consumers. Price Clients usually hold high expectations in the hospitality industry specifically because they seek a good care by being served with the best services and products at fair prices. While determining the pricing, the hotel company puts into consideration the profit margin, yet not ignoring the product quality since that is the reason consumers pay large money to eat from hotels. Risk assessment Risk management refers to the process of assessing, identifying, and prioritizing risks coupled with economical application of reserves geared towards monitoring, minimizing, and controlling chances of any adverse risk. Risks do emanate from various sources including credit risk, liabilities, accidents, and threats from project letdowns (Russell, 2016, p. 21). Firmdale Hotels should therefore take steps that are related with the degree of risk in the global market. Such a risk should be more distinct especially when it utilizes a bigger share of resources and time. The Hotel can seek to minimize the risk of collaborating with the key stakeholders and founders of the hotel by devising proper win-win terms. A further move in risk management would entail more than just financial and legal distresses. The concept of brand protection is compulsory because it is deemed the long-term strategy for the hotel. Above all, the firm should be take caution when making adverts about its products an d services as a means of ensuring that whatever is advertised mirrors what is delivered in the market. Conclusion To conclude, it is important to comprehend that in any hospitality firm, an exercise of good leadership is critical as a benchmark of ensuring that the said organization accomplishes its aims. The setting up of clear of time opportunity for the global effort tends to restrict the total investment and the precise goals that ought to be set throughout the process of marketing. For the case of Firmdale Hotels, it is proper to have tolerance for the various kinds of risks that would face the firm from time to time. It is prudent for Firmdale Hotels to have a clear laid down of its responsibilities and expectations as a measure of ensuing that is always on the right track. It is significant that Firmdale Hotels responds to the commercial cycle at trough, resurgence, peak, growth, and decline built on the financial, marketing, and leadership strengths. Reference List Alonzo, R., 2009. The upstart guide to owning and managing a restaurant.. s.l.: Kaplan Publishing. Assaf, G. A., Josiassen, A., KnezÃÅ'Å’evicÃÅ' , C. L., Woo, L. (January 01, 2015). The effects of customer voice on hotel performance. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 44, 2015, 77-83. Burns, P. (2014). New venture creation: A framework for entrepreneurial start-ups. Houndmills, Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan Cooper, B., McNeill, G., Floody, B., Cooper, B. (2005). Start and run a restaurant business. Bellingham, Wash: Self-Counsel Press. Daniels, P. (2002). Restaurant business start-up guide: A complete guide to establishing your business. Chino Hills, Calif: Venture Marketing. Godsmark, C., Godsmark, C. (2010). Start and run a restaurant. Oxford: How To Books. IvankovicÃÅ'Å’, G. (January 01, 2005). Decision-making information for different levels and hotel performance. Economic and Business Review, 7, 2, 137-156. Fullen, S. L. (2005). Opening a restaurant or other food business starter kit: How to prepare a restaurant business plan feasibility study : with companion CD-ROM. Ocala, Fla: Atlantic Pub. Group. Lee, R. (2006). The everything guide to starting and running a restaurant: Secrets to a successful business. Avon, Mass: Adams Media. Lee, R. (2011). The everything guide to starting and running a restaurant: The ultimate resource for starting a successful restaurant!. Avon, Mass: Adams Media. James, J., Baldwin, D. (2003). Streetwise restaurant management: A comprehensive guide to successfully owning and running a restaurant. Avon, Mass: Adams Media Corp. Ryan, D., 2014. Understanding digital marketing: marketing strategies for engaging the digital generation. Kogan Page Publishers. ed. s.l.:s.n. Russell, J., 2010. Evaluate the Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing on Hotels. Hospitality Management Review Student Journal at Sheffield Hallam University, 1. Rainsford, P., Bangs, D. H. (2001). The restaurant start-up guide: A 12-month plan for successfully starting a restaurant. Chicago: Dearborn. Staff, E. (2016). Marketing Plan. [online] Entrepreneur. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/marketing-plan [Accessed 4 Apr. 2016]. Tan, J., Dwyer, L. (January 01, 2014). Managing distribution channel confict in the hotel industry. International Journal of Marketing and Business Communication, 3, 2014, 9-19. Thomas, D. F. G. D. T. K. . S. D., 2014. Business Plan Competitions and Their Impact on New Ventures Business Models. Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, p. 35.Vo, H., 2014. Vrtiprah, V. (January 01, 2000). Quality management in hospitality. NasÃÅ'Å’e Gospodarstvo, 46, 764-772. Zimmerer, T. S. N. a. W. D., 2002. Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business Management. In: Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, pp. 1-3.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Australia Essays (1615 words) - Indigenous Peoples Of Australia

Australia AUSTRALIA Australia is an island continent located southeast of Asia and forming, with the nearby island of Tasmania, the Commonwealth of Australia, a self-governing member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The continent is bounded on the north by the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, and the Torres Strait; on the east by the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea; on the south by the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Indian Ocean. The commonwealth extends for about about 2500 miles from east to west and for about 2300 miles from north to south. Its coastline measures some 22,826 miles. The area of the commonwealth is 2,966,150 square miles, and the area of the continent alone is 2,939,974 square miles, making Australia the smallest continent in the world, but the sixth largest country. The Commonwealth of Australia is made up of six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia; and two territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The external dependencies of Australia are the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Territory of Cocos Islands, the Coral Sea Islands Territory, the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island. The first Australians were the Aborigines. Aboriginal folklore claims that the Aborigines were always in Australia. However, most anthropologists believe that the Aborigines migrated from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years ago, probably during a period when low sea levels permitted the simplest forms of land and water travel. A rise in sea level subsequently made Tasmania an island and caused some cultural separation between its peoples and those on the mainland. These original Australians were essentially hunter-gatherers without domesticated animals, other than the dingo, which was introduced by the Aborigines between 3000 and 4000 years ago. The Aborigines employed a type of firestick farming in which fire was used to clear areas so that fresh grazing grasses could grow, thereby attracting kangaroos and other game animals. Aborigines also may have harvested and dispersed selected seeds. Those widespread operations may have been responsible for extensive tracts of grassland. There is evidence of careful damming and redirection of streams and of swamp and lake outlets, possibly for fish farming. By the time of the first notable European settlement in 1788, Aboriginal people had developed cultural traits and ecological knowledge that showed an impressive adaptation to Australias challenging environments. They also had developed many complex variations between regional and even local communities. The total Aboriginal population at that time was about 300,000. More than 200 distinct languages existed at the beginning of the 19th century. Bilingualism and multilingualism were common characteristics in several hundred Aboriginal groups. These groups, sometimes called tribes, were linguistically defined and territorially based. During the first century of white settlement, there were dramatic declines in the Aboriginal population in all parts of the country. The declines resulted from the introduction of diseases for which the Aborigines had little immunity; social and cultural disruptions; and brutal mistreatment. By the 1920s, the Aboriginal population had declined to 60,000. Until the 1960s the Aboriginal population was mainly rural. Over the next two decades Aborigines began moving in greater numbers to urban areas. In many country towns, Aboriginal families were viewed negatively as fringe dwellers. In the larger cities, small, but highly volatile, ghetto like concentrations caused the Aborigines to begin demanding greater political rights. The Aborigines social and political status was so low that they were omitted from the official national censuses until 1971, following the overwhelming passage of a 1967 referendum that granted the government power to legislate for the Aborigines and to include them in the census count. At the 1991 census, 238,590 Australian residents were counted as Aborigines. More than 70 percent of the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders live in urban areas. Traditional ways of life are still maintained in small enclaves in the more remote locations, especially in the north and center of the continent. Every region of the country is represented by its own Aboriginal land council, and most regions run cultural centers and festivals. A shared desire to reassert their claim to land rights has united the widely separated communities, and Aboriginality is

Sunday, November 24, 2019

ACT Scores Matter for College Admissions

When Don't SAT/ACT Scores Matter for College Admissions SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you started researching how to apply to college?You may know that most college-bound students take the SAT and ACT. But just how important are they, and when can you get away without taking them? Let's look at when SAT and ACT scores are important for college admissions, and when they're not. When SAT/ACT Scores Matter Generally speaking, four year colleges place a lot of importance on your SAT and ACT scores. Your grades and high school classes may have different curriculum and levels of difficulty among schools. Because of this, it's hard for admissions officers to compare candidates' academic readiness on high school classes alone. The SAT and ACT represent an attempt to measure students' skills, knowledge, and potential on the same playing field. If you're applying as a strong academic archetype - for example, you have high grades and strong extracurricular involvement - you want your test scores to reinforce your academic achievement. If this describes you as a student, then your SAT or ACT scores matter a great deal.(Below, we'll discuss how scores factor into the equation for students applying as athletes or to pursue a special talent, like dancing or the arts.) Especially selective schools also want to see SAT Subject Tests, as a standard measure of your mastery of a particular subject in school, like biology, math, or Spanish. Click here to see the complete list of SAT Subject Tests and learn about what they cover. How to Find Your College Requirements Colleges state their standardized testing requirements on their admissions websites. In addition to which tests they require, you want to know what scores you need to achieve. This article tells you step by step how to set target scores that will put you in the best position for admission to your chosen schools. If your high school uses Naviance, you can also see data from students that attended your own school. Naviance shows you what scores they had and if they were accepted or rejected from your schools of interest. With clear goals and effective test prep, you canachieve your target scores and apply to schools where you have a strong chance of admission. For the many of you to whom SAT or ACT scores are very important, you can start preparing by answering any and all of your questions about the tests. When are the best dates to take the SAT or ACT?How can you aim for and achieve a perfect score? And how is the SAT scored anyway?The ACT? By thoroughly understanding the tests inside and out and doing some serious prep to get yourself ready, you can achieve scores that reinforce your high school record and prove your academic excellence to admissions committees. Now let's look at some exceptions - schools with test-optional and test-flexible policies. When Scores Don't Matter (or Matter As Much) - Test Optional and Flexible Schools Recently, more and more schools are de-emphasizing, or even doing away completely, with standardized test scores in their admissions decisions. Some schools have a test optional policy, which suggests that it's up to you whether your scores reflect your academic ability and you want to send them. Some schools merely suggest you can opt out, while others emphasize that scores truly are optional and will not affect your chances of admission one way or the other. This is frustratingly vague, right? I'd suggest researching the school's website or calling its admissions office and asking them to clear it up. Unless the school really stresses that scores are truly optional, it's probably a good idea to still take the test and send them. Considering how competitive admissions are, strong test scores could be one more way to gain an edge and stand out. Here we've compiled the comprehensive list of all the test optional and test flexible schools, along with their specific expectations. Check it out to see if any of your schools of interest don't require the SAT or ACT for admission. If you feel you are unable to achieve strong scores and the tests would drag down your application, then it might be a good idea to hold off on sending those in. Again, you should always check with the school to clear up what their stance toward SAT and ACT scores really is. One notable exception is Hampshire College in Massachusetts. They will simply reject any test scores that are sent their way. Their policy states, "Unlike 'test-optional' institutions, we will not consider SAT/ACT scores regardless of the score. Even if it's a perfect score, it will not weigh into our assessment of an applicant." Some test optional schools are Bates, Bowdoin, Smith, University of Texas at Austin, and Wesleyan, among numerous others. Another approach that schools have adopted is to be test flexible. This means you can send the SAT or ACT, but there are other options as well. Usually these other options are sending three SAT Subject Tests or three AP exams, if you feel they better reflect your work as a student. NYU, for example, says, "To be eligible for admission, applicants are expected to submit results fromone of the following testing options: The SAT Reasoning Test; or The ACT with Writing Test; or Three SAT Subject Test scores; or Three AP exam scores." We've looked at the policies of four-year colleges, but what about your unique profile as a candidate? First, what are your SAT or ACT requirements as a recruited athlete? Applying as an Athlete If you're being recruited as an athlete, you are most likely going through NCAA Clearinghouse. You will still have to take the SAT or ACT, if your college requires it, but your scores don't have to be as high as non-recruited students. Your SAT and ACT scores are compared on a sliding scale with your grade point average (GPA). So if your GPA is on the higher side, you can get by with lower test scores. If it's low, then you have to score higher on the SAT or ACT to make up for it. Click here to read about all the NCAA requirements, what SAT scores you need, and how to achieve them.This article is for you if you're a student athlete planning on taking the ACT. Your score requirements may also be less stringent if you're applying with a special talent. Applying With a Special Talent Have you published novels as a teenager? Or won national competitions in spelling or math? Did your 9th grade science experiment help scientists make a breakthrough discovery, or have you played violin in a symphony since the age of 14? If you're regarded as one of the top achievers in the country or world in a well-regarded talent, like music, academic competitions, chess, theater, or dance, then your SAT or ACT score might not matter that much. It might be especially inconsequential if it doesn't align with your strength. For instance, a college might not care how well a published teen author scores in math. Many of these students receive some media attention for their exceptional talent and will likely be in close contact with colleges to discuss exactly what scores they need for admission. If the college finds you a desirable candidate, then it will probably waive the usual SAT/ACT score expectation and accept you with a lower minimum score. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Applying to Art Schools If you're looking to pursue studio art, photography, dancing, acting, music, or another field in the arts, then you may not have to take the SAT or ACT. Usually these schools are more concerned with your portfolio or audition. Juilliard, one of the world's leading music schools and most prestigious arts programs, does not require the SAT or ACT. Some other art schools with no SAT or ACT requirement include, Academy of Art College in San Francisco American Academy of Art in Chicago California College of the Arts International Fine Arts College in Miami Illinois Institute of Art New England Institute of Art and Communication New Hampshire Institute of Art Two other types of schools that don't usually require the SAT or ACT for admission are community colleges and trade schools. Community Colleges As far as I know, no community colleges require SAT or ACT scores. They usually have open enrollment and have students take a placement test in math and English to determine their level in these classes. SAT or ACT scores could exempt you from these tests and determine your placement. Community colleges offer two-year Associate's degrees in a huge number of programs. Some students go into community college with a "2 + 2" plan, meaning they'll complete two years at community college and then transfer to a four year school. After an additional two years, they'll receive their Bachelor's degree from that four-year institution. There are several reasons why students might choose this plan. Two major ones are saving money or improving their academic record. Community colleges tend to be much less expensive than four year schools, so spending a couple years at one could be a huge tuition-saver. For students who are not satisfied with their high school grades, they could achieve higher grades in community college and then have more options for four year schools. Community colleges also often have partnerships with state schools that make it easy to make this switch. If you've already been at a community college for two years, you usually do not have to take the SAT or ACT or send your scores in order to transfer. The other type of schools that don't require SAT/ACT scores are technical and trade schools. Technical and Trade Schools Students who are primarily looking for professional training may be interested in technical or trade schools. Many of these schools don't require the SAT or ACT, or, if they do, they may only require it for certain sections. ITT Tech, for example, gives students the option of either passing an admissions test or taking the SAT or ACT. As with all college applications, research your school to find out its specific admission requirements. If you attend a vocational high school, or have one in your district, the teachers and counselors there might also be a great source of information for post-secondary options in technical and trade schools. To Sum Up... As you can tell, there are lots of different post-secondary options! Make sure to research your options well in advance of senior year so you can make a plan and fulfill all of your requirements in time for your deadlines. If you experience a lot of test-taking anxiety or cannot take the SAT or ACT for other reasons, there are selective four year schools, community colleges, and trade schools that do not require or do not heavily emphasize standardized testing scores. If you have financial concerns about the tests, check out our article on SAT fee waivers and ACT fee waivers to see if you might be eligible to waive the cost. If you are, you can also get free score reports sent to colleges. The SAT and ACT can be a personal milestone on the path to college for students, but these tests are not for everybody. Explore your options so you can make the best post-secondary plans for you! What's Next? Feeling worried about the SAT? Read these strategies for managing anxiety and how to use mindfulness to clear your head, focus your energy, and perform your best on the SAT. The new SAT is fast approaching! With that in mind, should you take the new SAT in 2016 or the current SAT? Figure out the answer to this important question here. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Revision for Integration of Sources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Revision for Integration of Sources - Essay Example Below sentences with different sources derived from the article â€Å"Educating Young Adults about Sex.† The essay is part of my writings in English 1302. This is part of the original text under evaluation. From the sentences above, it is evident that there is a gap between the ideas in sentences and the citation. This is because the writer did not impact on source integration. One style of introducing sources may turn out to be monotonous. This is because the reader can prejudice the in suction of these citations. Writers should incorporate different source citation techniques acceptable in writing guidelines book. This will impact on the follow of ideas, follow of grammar, marrying of ideologies, and at the same time, readers will have an interest in reading the article (VanderMey 24). Phrases such as â€Å"From ... writings or book, it is evident that HIV is a fatal infection,† will add taste to the sentence. It will also prove to the reader that the writers are confident of their art work. Other suitable phrases are in reference to, in relation to, according to, from ... reading it is acceptable that..., also show that there is an admirable level of precision (Borchers 33). The writer of the original reference has admirable distribution of source citation. Many citations in a single sentence may lead to confliction of ideas. They can also lead to loss of meaning, when used by incompetent writers. It is appropriate for writers to proper make use of one source citation in each sentence. One can also depict that the sentence carrying the citation has no weight. In a paragraph, such sentence should create some emphasis, unlike other sentences. Form the above correction, it is noticeable that integration between the article and the source citation in crucial in all writing practices. As a reader read the sentences above, one will identify that there is a follow of ideals. Such follow proves to the readers that

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Gillette Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gillette - Essay Example The 4Ps of marketing named product, place (distribution), price, and promotion helped in marketing Gillette, firstly the product that was having extraordinary features in it was it self an attraction, the distribution was done through normal hiring of distributors in U.S. and afterwards the company launched it internationally, the pricing system was cost based, means that it was on the basis of per unit cost, with some profit on it, and promotion was done by the store display as advertisement had not gained popularity. Henry Ford was a one in million entrepreneur and also an inventor, he was the first one to make assembly line manufacturing for mass production of the affordable automobiles of that time, car was a luxury from ages but it was Ford who gave them another perception, he made it so easy for us to travel, the product that is the car was in the simplest stage at the time of invention, though he had given it so many shapes and features like cars being used for fishing, cars being used for traveling etc. ... The people of old times were just concerned with the core product that was to travel the distance through some means with some standard but than came so many models that now Ford has become a status symbol, though there are so many other cars available in the market but it seems that one is legend while driving the Ford. The 4ps played even a bigger role in making sure that Ford is the most valuable car in the market, the product had so many new features, designs, style, quality was even good in comparison with the other cars of that time, the distribution was done in the entire U.S. on the basis of normal distribution through the transport services, pricing was done while keeping the value of the product, it was value based pricing that was used, and as the product was so unique and wonderful and everybody would have loved to buy it thus the promotion was done through good and effective store display (Showroom display), personal selling had also played some role but afterwards. TV Dinner Gerry Thomas invented TV Dinner while he was working for Swanson, he was criticized severely but he did not show any intimidation and he invented TV dinner, a packaged frozen meal that can be ready to eat at any time, the product was a creative thinking's outcome and it simplified the human life in many ways particularly the working class of U.S. which was in need of some thing that would not be consuming much of their time and can also be used till so many days and weeks. The product was initially a simple pack of aluminum foil having various foods in it such as turkey, but in modern day life it changed from foil to a tin pack and now to a big pack with some fancy packaging. The American

Monday, November 18, 2019

Crisis Within an Organization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Crisis Within an Organization - Research Paper Example The facts of the crisis shall first be set forth and laid out, including the facts which gave rise to the crisis and the facts relating to individuals in the organization and their response to the crisis. It shall discuss the extent to which the organization had a code of conduct or set of principles, statement of values, or policies in place in order to respond to the crisis. Finally, this paper shall assess whether the individual decision-makers within the organization acted in a morally responsible manner. In 2000, Toyota launched its ‘Construction of Cost Competitiveness for the 21st Century’ program which was meant to cut the costs of 180 key car parts by 30 percent, with the aim of saving about $10 billion by the year 2005 (Kim & Bailey â€Å"Article†). In February of 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a review of complaints on electronic throttle control malfunction on the Lexus ES300; the investigation was resolved without a finding of defect in the vehicle (Kim & Bailey â€Å"Article†). At about the same time, Private Insurer State Farm informed the NHTSA of some incidents on unintended acceleration in 2002 and 2003 Lexus ES300 and the Toyota Camrys (Kim & Bailey â€Å"Article†). By the end of the year, similar complaints added up to 20% of all unintended acceleration incidents in 2004. Another investigation by the NHTSA was conducted on August 2005 on the 2002-2005 models of the Camry, Solara, and Lexus E S300; and still no defect findings were found by the NHTSA (Kim & Bailey, â€Å"Article†). When global recalls on Toyota cars increased in 2006, Toyota head Katsuaki Watanabe issued an apology, citing quality glitches on some of its cars. Consequently, Toyota models were delayed for about a year (Kim & Bailey, â€Å"Article†). In March of 2007, another investigation by the NHTSA was initiated, this time on pedal entrapment concerns on the

Friday, November 15, 2019

Social Housing Provision Changes Since 1980

Social Housing Provision Changes Since 1980 Changes in the Organisation and Provision of Social Housing Since 1980 Abstract Did the Housing Act of 1980, which granted tenants the right to buy council property, along with other housing policy geared towards a neo-liberal attitude to economics and the housing market, such as the stock transfer from local authorities to housing associations, the direct payment of housing benefit into tenants accounts and rent increases due to deregulation eventually lead to increased social polarisation between rich and poor and, in particular, homelessness in urban environments? If so, how did this happen and what were the implications of this policy on the present housing climate? Introduction to Problem The Housing Act of 1980 was a flagship policy by the newly elected Conservative government. It allowed five million tenants the right to buy their council house from the local authority at a reduced rate. This opportunity to buy was extended further in years to come, and was used primarily as a means to reduce the amount of council owned housing in favour of a number of other economic models more conducive to the right wing Conservative party ideology. The central principles of the right to buy policy, intended to reduce the amount of publicly owned housing stock, was eventually extended to include initiatives for councils to voluntarily give up their hold on their housing property. This included the allowance of private landlord ownership, the selling of council property though voluntary transfers, and also continued into present Blairite policy with the Arms Length Management Association. While the 1980 Housing Act provided revenue for run down council estates and their tenants, an d also allowed working-class tenants an opportunity to get onto the property ladder, it also contributed to fuelling a growing minority of underclass citizens, who were deprived of the council housing stock on which they were previously reliant, and were subsequently forced into a cycle of unemployment and homelessness. Although housing stock was overinflated in comparison to other capitalist countries in the 1980s, and the Housing Act was initially beneficial in many ways to the owner of the housing association. Other policies that directly affected housing stock also reflected this trend towards neo-liberalism and a policy of equal responsibility, whether the citizen was rich or poor. These policies include the stock transfer from local authorities to housing associations, rent increases due to the deregulation of the housing sector and the payment of housing benefit directly into a tenants bank account rather than to the landlord. This resulted in an increase in homelessness and social polarisation between the rich and poor. Literature Review A great deal of literature has been written on how Thatcherism has affected British housing and the effects that this had on the development of homelessness. The British Political Process: An Introduction (Wright, 2000, pp. 30-3), along with Jean Conways Housing Policy (2000) offer a good general overview of the policies forwarded and their effects this had on the power of local councils, as well as an analysis of their motivations for instigating these privatisation policies. Wright includes some details on how the Housing Acts tended to profit smaller, richer rural councils to the detrement of poorer communities, and both books go into detail about the 1988 and 1989 Housing Acts, the latter of which forced council rents up, which meant that they were unable to fund any major repairs or new building on their housing stock. Anne Power (1993) in Hovels to High Rise stresses that the right to buy polarised the market because it left behind those who aspired to buying their council hous e, but couldnt afford it. Similarly, Andy Thornley (1992) in The Crisis of London comments that, despite the intentions for right to buy to raise revenues to fund the regeneration of squalid and neglected housing estates, very little money was actually raised to reinvest in council housing because of the restrictions in place on capital receipts (p. 15). This, coupled with the deregulation of the private rented sector of the housing market in the Housing Act of 1988, led to a substantial increase of the price of rental accommodation and an increased inability for people on lower incomes to pay their housing associated costs (pp. 10-24). Tim Blackman (1995) in Urban Policy in Practice also comments that because the better parts of Britains publicly owned housing stock has been sold off, many of Britains remaining council estates have effectively become welfare ghettos (p. 153), and rife with drugs, poverty and squalid housing. Keith Dowding and Desmond Kings Rooflessness in London (Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 28, 2000) focuses on the difficulty of getting a coherent study of homelessness because of the ambiguity of the terminology homelessness which, in British law, excludes almost everybody. They argue the problem with the term intentionally homeless, a term used in the 1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act. This concept of intentionally homeless is used to varying degree of exactitude by different councils. Johnston Birchall (1992) comments how this varies wildly from council to council (p. 142). David Robertson (1998, p. 14) comments how this judicial discretion is often used to deliberately introduce ambiguity into policy and law, allowing for councils to absolve their obligation to house the homeless. Alison Ravetz (2001, p. 199-204) argues further that the extreme right agenda of Conservative policy combined with the 1977 Housing Act, which changed the way housing was allocated based on priority, ensu red that the priority homeless began to usurp ordinary council house waiting lists. Paradoxically, because these people were in themselves labelled as a priority for councils, potential tenants would become homeless simply in order to qualify for housing. As the number of publicly owned council houses decreased, this increased the numbers of homeless people in Britain at the time. Loveland (1995) in Housing Homeless Persons argues that the right to buy also degraded the remaining housing stock, as the properties sold tended to be in more desirable areas, and also, even at a discounted rate, only the more affluent tenants could afford to buy (p. 35). MacEwan (1991) in Housing, Race and Law mentions that the incidence of building society repossessions increased in districts responsible for Housing (Homeless Persons) provisions from 218 in 1979 to 748 in 1987, half of which were former council houses bought under the right to buy. The effects of the various Housing Acts passed by the C onservative Government on the elusive statistic of homelessness is variable. Tim Blackman in Urban Policy in Practice comments on the GNI (Generalised Needs Index), which is used to assist councils in allocating funds to housing stock (p. 97). Methodology The problem of homelessness in Britain is twofold. First, it has been very difficult to statistically measure homelessness. Many homeless people are disillusioned and unaware of their rights to apply for housing. Also, the 1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act uses the problematic statement of intentionally homeless which can be used in many different guises. Thus, this study of the effects of homelessness in Britain will have to take this into account, and the wildly varying statistics on homelessness testify this difficulty. However, it is safe to assume that the housing policy has led to an increased number of homeless people in Britain. This dissertation will look at the existing literature on homelessness in the 1980s, of which a great deal has been written. Secondly, the problem with homelessness and the underclass in general is that they occupy a class on the fringes of society and therefore, are not easily put into traditional catgories of class or structure. In order to eschew these difficulties with information presently available, it may be apt to conduct an independent study of homelessness, via the means of a questionnaire. This could either target the street homeless, the advantage of this method being that the questionnaire would be more quickly implemented, or else a random cross-section of society. The advantages of this method would be that it would take into account the innate elusiveness of the homeless section of society. Conclusions/Implications Thatcherism and right wing policy has led to a minorty of underclass people. Due to the strict enforcement of Thatcherite and neo-liberal housing policy that has degraded council housing stock, deregulated private sector rental markets and sold off much of the higher quality housing stock and led to a ghettoisation of many more run-down council estates, especially in urban areas of Britain. This dissertation will look primarily at the effects this has on generating an underclass of homelessness. The implications of this study will be to chart how the implementation of right wing housing policy has generated and exacerbated the continued dependency of the underclass. Bibliography Birchall, J., Housing Policy in the 1990s, (London: Routledge, 2000) Blackman, T., Urban Theory in Practice, (London: Routledge, 1995) Burrows, R., Please, N., Quilgars, D., Homelessness and Social Policy, (London: Routledge, 1997) Conway, J., Housing Policy, (London: Gildredge, 2000) Dowding, K., King, D., Rooflessness in London from Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 28, 2000 Loveland, I., Housing Homeless Persons: Administrative Law and the Administrative Process, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995) MacEwan, M., Housing, Race and Law, (London: Routledge, 1991) Ravetz, A., Council Housing and Culture, (London: Routledge, 2001) Robertson, D., Judicial Discretion in the House of Lords, (London: Clarendon Press, 1990) Thornley, A., The Crisis of London, (London: Routledge, 1992) Wright, T., The British Political Process, (London: Routledge, 2000)

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Lets Not Forget the Importance of Family Essay -- Research Essays

The Importance of Family My generation is one who emerged from a society of the eighties and through the nineties that has experienced amazing discoveries of countless measures. Over the last twenty years, we have watched our world evolve into a place decorated for its strengths economically. Many of us in the later years of our childhood became members of a group given the name the latchkey kids. Due to the needs of our economy as well as our home lives, both parents found it important to become members of the working class. The American culture of the United States puts a very large emphasis on a person’s sense of individuality. We are told from the time that we are born that we can be whatever we want to be and to set our goals high. Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers are some of the common careers that a young child chooses. They set a path for them to achieve this, and along the way may make sacrifices for this choice of career. They want only the best for themselves and would never dream of selling themselves sort. This very idea of self-sacrifice has sparked a curiosity in my own mind. When you ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up, you expect them to reply with an answer such as a doctor. What if that child said that they just want to be a mommy or a daddy? Do you think that the general feeling for this response would be a positive one? I have often wondered if due to the high emphasis on careers in our society, do people, or more specifically, my generation still consider having a family as important to their future? Or does their future only include their career? I, for instance, am a person of more personal than economic goals. I wanted to see if th... ...d it is comforting to know that my peers are reaching for their goals but not forgetting their personal lives. As with any research, there were limitations. If I had more time, I would have liked to interview and survey persons in my parent’s generation to find if when they were my age, did they feel they would have a family? I did everything that I believe I could to find the truth-value in my research, but I think that to look into the future it would have been beneficial to look at the ones who are already there, meaning our parents. My generation is the future, this I knew before this paper. But what I didn’t know, is that my peers have gone from children wishing to be doctors, to young adults following that path to get there. They haven’t sold themselves short. They have kept their dreams alive, and haven’t forgot the importance of family.