Business and the Economic Environment Essay

Introduction In this assignment I will be talking about Marks and Spencer and how the economic environment could have an effect on them. The economic environment is basically all the economic factors brought together. By saying economic factors, I mean aspects such as; employment, inflation, interest rates, productivity and wealth. All of these elements mentioned above have an influence on the buying behaviour of consumers and organisations. P1 In terms of economic variations for marks and spencer, the best way to explain the effect it would have on them is by using the business cycle. The business cycle is basically the periodic but irregular up and down movement in economic activity, measures by fluctuations in real GDP and other macro- economic variables such as inflation, interest rates and unemployment to mention a few. In simple terms it is the ups and downs of a nation’s economy. The business cycle mainly has four cycles; recession, recovery, growth and slump which repeat themselves over time. Recession is a period of reduced economic activity (economic growth slowing down) in which levels of buying, selling, production and employment go down. This means that during recession, Marks and Spencer would be affected because there will be a change on the buying behaviour of consumers. This will then lead to a sales revenue and profit decline for them. Due to low profits, they will cut their spending essentially cut back on hiring new employees and cut jobs for other by making them redundant in an effort to keep their business on track. They will also cut back on productions costs because consumers will cut back on spending as well which means they will not be buying as much. Recovery is the turning point from depression to expansion. During the period of recovery, there are expansions and rise in economic activities. For Marks and spencer there will be a steady rise in output, income, employment, prices and profits. During recovery for Marks and spencer will mean higher demand for products and services. There will be more hiring, because Marks and spencer will resume investments due to an increase in profits because customers are willing to spend more. They will steadily start opening other stores nationwide due to consumer demand hence more people to recruit. As more people will return to work, spending will increase, which will the demand for more goods and services hence they will start making a profit. Slump/trough during the slump period output slows down due to a reduction in demand. A slump can lead to recession (two negative quarters of economic growth). This can put Marks and Spencer under pressure because they will be forced to reduce costs, which will lead to increased unemployment as they make people redundant The rate of high unemployment will then mean that people will have less money to spend thus contributing to a downturn in the economy. During a slump output and income will fall leading to fall in consumption so basically Marks and Spencer will see a fall in sales because customers will not be spending and they will cut down on production costs as well so that they can save money. Growth: When the economy is at boom or peak, it is an increase in the capacity of an economy to produce goods and services. This is the stage where by Marks and Spencer will hire more people and there will be low unemployment. Customers will also be willing to spend more money therefore boosting sales for Marks and Spencer. Demand for goods and services will be high which means that production will be high so Marks and Spencer will be having high imports to stock up their shelves for consumers. There will be high investment levels for them; they can therefore use that money to pay off their suppliers or debtors. Inflation is the measurement of the annual percentage rise in average price level. A reduction is purchasing power an increase in the cost of living. With the rise in price levels Marks and Spencer will buy fewer goods because consumers will not spend as much money. As a result the purchasing power of money will be reduced with inflation. High inflation will distort consumer behaviour for Marks and Spencer. Consumers will spend less or buy their requirements in advance as inflation may destabilize markets and create unnecessary shortages. Employees in Marks and Spencer may demand higher wages in time of high inflation. If the claims are accepted it may make the inflation get worse. During high inflation, wide variations in inflation rates may make it difficult for Marks and Spencer to predict the future and calculate their sales returns. This can therefore challenge their confidence to predict their financial reports In the future. Inflation is measured by RPI (Retail Price Index) this is when government inspectors go round the shops every month and take samples of what consumers buy and add up the prices and compare them with the previous month’s prices. RPI normally includes mortgages. In 2012 it was measured at 2.9% Also CPI (Consumer Price Index) this is a measure of price in consumer goods and services e.g. food, clothing, etc. The CPI does not include mortgages. It was measured at 2.5% in 2012. Unemployment Marks and Spencer will be affected in a variety of ways when there is high unemployment. They will observe low consumer spending. When more people are out of work they do not have money to spend hence Marks and Spencer will be affected because there will be fewer people buying from their stores. People will then target inferior goods basically Marks and Spencer branded goods that are cheaper than brands and also may be of less quality to satisfy their needs. Employees working for Marks and Spencer may work for long hours and Marks and Spencer may not be able to give them a pay rise due to the low demand of goods. Managers will be less motivated because their business will be going down due to low profits. However, Marks and Spencer will benefit in the sense that if they wanted to employ anyone they will have the advantage to pick and choose due to the high number of applicants for one job role. P2 Government spending is also known as public spending and in UK it takes up to 45%of GDP. Government spending is classified in three areas; Transfer payments; this are payments made available through social security system. They include JSA, child benefit, Housing benefit, Income support etc. its main aim is to provide a basic income for unemployed people or a minimum standard of living for people with low income. Current government spending; this is basically spending on goods provided by the government e.g. salaries paid to people working in NHS and resources for education and defence etc. Capital spending; this is spending for infrastructure e.g. motorways and roads, schools, hospitals etc. Government policies on the other hand, are a set of policies produced by the government that are used and developed to influence the UK economy. They are divided in to different areas that influence the way that a business operates. Economic Policy, economic policies are actions taken by the government to influence its economy. Economic growth will be essential for government and Marks and Spencer as well. This will mean that the living standards will increase so it means that people will have more money to spend in Marks and Spencer and other retail shops. There will also be high demand for Marks and Spencer therefore they will be making profit. However if the government decide to increase tax rates, Marks and Spencer will grieve because it means that they have to increase the prices of their goods and services which means customers will be reluctant to spend money. Industrial Policy this relates to the government increasing industrial activity in the UK. This mostly focuses more on jobs and skills. For example if Marks and Spencer opens new industries to manufacture goods, they will create more jobs and find skilled labour to satisfy their customers. This policy is mainly used to raise people’s income, new technologies and demographic changes. Competition Policy this is a government policy to prevent and reduce abuse of monopoly power. Abuse of monopoly power can lead to market failure and be against the public. Therefore that’s why government steps in to protect the interests of consumers. To ensure that competition takes place in UK Competition Act 1998 is used to stop forcing rivals out of business, selling goods and services at different prices for different customers and limiting supplies to make sure prices go up among others. Fiscal Policy this covers the spending and taxation decisions of the government. The main aim of fiscal policy is to influence aggregate demand (total demand in the economy) by increasing government spending or reducing taxes. The effect of fiscal policy on Marks and Spencer is that when the Bank of England increases tax, they will have less money for hiring and investing and this may affect consumers because prices may increase. However if they decreased tax rates, this will stimulate investment spending and more job opportunities. Environmental Policy this regards to the environment. Basically for Marks and Spencer they need to make sure that they are protecting the environment by recycling and reducing carbon foot print. The Climate Change Act states that climate change risk management must be completed every five years. Businesses like Marks and Spencer must show how they are reducing carbon foot print and how they are protecting the environment. Monetary Policy comprises of changes in the rate of interest to influence the growth of aggregate demand, money supply and inflation, this works by changing the rate of growth of demand for money. If the Bank of England sets high interest rates prices will start falling and Marks and Spencer will see the changes in spending from consumers. This is mainly used to control inflation. However if it was vice versa, low interest rates will lead to more spending hence Marks and Spencer receiving more sales therefore more to pay dividends to shareholders or invest. The diagram below shows the increase in interest rates which lowers demands so prices fall from P to P1 and demand falls from AD1 to AD. M1 The government produces set of policies that it uses and develops to influence the economy. Â  Fiscal Policy is the use if taxes and government expenditure to control the total demand of the economy. Increase in taxes will decrease the demand. Government expenditure on the other hand, encourages people to purchase by reducing the price. Taxes and expenditure both use law of demand in order to control aggregate demand. The advantages of using fiscal policy for Marks and Spencer will be that if the government increases demand e.g. by cutting income tax or indirect tax, it means that people would be willing to spend more because prices will go down hence they can get more with their money. Marks and Spencer will benefit because the demand will be high and hence they get more profit at hand. With this profit they will be able to invest more in to the business and also pay their corporation tax. The corporation tax will then be taken by the government again and this will help the society and people in need e.g. NHS and Education. A disadvantage of fiscal policy is that another problem can arise when solving the other. For instance stimulating demand in the economy to decrease unemployment may worsen inflation because a right shift in aggregated demand will cause a rise in price levels. Therefore when prices rise go up, as much as there is more demand, some people may be hit by inflation and may have to pay more for their goods in Marks and Spencer than normal. Below I have illustrated what I have just explained. On the contrary decreasing demand to control inflation will cause short demand therefore unemployment arises. In the diagram it shows that increase in government expenditure, will increase inflation basically prices will shift from P to P1. Also there will be more demand so it will shift from AD to AD1.This will benefit Marks and Spencer because the more the demand the more they pay corporation tax therefore helping the society i.e. education, NHS etc. In the diagram it shows that increase in government expenditure, will increase inflation basically prices will shift from P to P1. Also there will be more demand so it will shift from AD to AD1.This will benefit Marks and Spencer because the more the demand the more they pay corporation tax therefore helping the society i.e. education, NHS etc.

Corporate Strategy and Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries Such as India Essay

Foreign direct investment (FDI), in its simplest term, is when a company from one country makes an investment into building a facility in another country, or when investments are made in order to acquire a certain stake in enterprises operating outside the economy and country of the investor. FDI plays an extraordinary role for firms wanting to operate and compete in a global business. It can provide a firm with new markets to penetrate, cheaper production facilities, access to new technologies, skills, and financing. For a host country or the foreign firm receiving the investment, it can provide many opportunities that are necessary for economic growth and development. FDI can also come in many different forms, such as direct acquisition of a foreign firm, setting up a facility in a foreign country, or investing in joint ventures and/or strategic alliances with local and foreign firms (Kim & Kim, 2006). In the past decade, due to a dramatic change in the way businesses are conducted, combined with loosening of governments’ regulations on foreign investments, FDI has increased dramatically on a global scale. When companies make decisions regarding FDI, this process require the efficient allocation of funds to investment opportunities, which often require large amounts of money that will hopefully bring greater returns to its investors. With foreign investments being far riskier than domestic investments, the effective and efficient use of funds is critical for the future performance of a multinational company. Multinational companies that engage in FDI provide a range of potential benefits that extend to the actual investors as well as the host country that is receiving the investment which are quite apparent. An example within many of these advantages include, increased profits for the industry or the firm due to lower costs of resources abroad, and increase in jobs provided in the host country. However, despite the positive arguments for FDIs there are still also many reasons how or why these type of investments can prove to be harmful. Domestic firms may consider these investments as unfair competition because the home-market is losing jobs that are instead being set-up abroad. Also, the host country may feel that they are losing their national identity due to foreign cultures and influences being imposed on them. Despite the many benefits that FDIs have provided both companies and host-countries, it is still unsure that such activities will not extend harmful effects to either participant due to the various reasons mentioned above. A reasonable outline for investments should be set-out in order to allow investors reap the benefits of their investments, while simultaneously contributing positively towards the growth and development of the host-country. The following sections of this report will attempt to analyze FDI effects on developing countries, the means available for companies to invest in foreign markets, mergers and acquisitions, and other issues related to the field of foreign direct investment. Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries Foreign direct investments initiated by MNCs occur primarily because in most cases these type of activities aim to fulfill all MNC’s primary objective; to maximize shareholder value (stock price) by â€Å"taking-on† various value-adding activities or investments. As such they are considered as being major contributors to economic growth for developing countries. A host country will usually want to attract foreign investors in order to acquire additional resources such as capital, new technologies, knowledge, as well as increased job opportunities for its population. Over the past decade globalization has increased dramatically, which has also sparked increasing flows of FDI in developing countries as governments begin to ease up on their regulations. According to publications from the Institute for International Economics, FDI in developing countries, and countries who are in a transition phase of their economy (i. e. China) grew dramatically during 1990-1998, from $24 billion per annum to approximately $120 billion per annum. Mentioned in the previous section, FDI in theory, as well as in practice, has proved to offer several gains to developing host countries who accept MNC’s investment efforts. From these gains, the major ones that are usually more specific to developing host countries include the transfer of technology that couldn’t otherwise be acquired through investments or trade, development of human capital through employee training, and gains in profits resulting from corporate tax revenues in the host country (Loungani and Razin, 2001). The fact is that the impact of FDI in a certain country may vary from one country to another country, therefore the degree of FDI impact really depends on the government policies and regulations that are set forth in order to either attract or deter FDI inflows. Therefore, we could concur that government policymakers have the most important role when it comes to FDI decisions. They should be aware of the different methods that could be used to promote FDI and how each of these means would affect the development and growth of the local economy. Often, policymakers seem to rush into FDI liberalization policies without considering the pros and cons of such actions. However, as the South East Asian economies have well proven to the rest of the world, if FDI can be used strategically, it can be an extremely useful tool for emerging economies and developing countries. FDI in India India’s recent liberalization of its foreign investment regulations has generated strong interest by foreign investors, turning India into one of the fastest growing destinations for global FDI. Foreign firms are setting up joint ventures in several of India’s fastest growing sectors such as telecommunications, computers software, financial services, tourism, etc. According to a global survey conducted by KPMG International on corporate investment plans in June 2008, India is expected to experience the largest overall growth in its share FDI, and will most likely become a haven for investments within the manufacturing industries. It’s true that India is becoming one of the most favored investment destinations for many developed countries as well as countries whose economies are in a transition phase. The following diagram shows how GDP per capita growth, trade volumes, and FDI inflows have surged over the years 2001-2006. Within the past few years, Japanese firms are increasingly purchasing various amounts of equity ventures in Indian firms, particularly within the automobile, electronics, and IT sectors. FDI is now recognized as one of the most important drivers of economic growth for India, and as such, the Indian government is making all efforts to attract and facilitate FDI and investment from foreign investors. India’s liberalization efforts have not only removed national barriers towards foreign investments, but have also made the process of investment activities much easier by establishing various measures. According to India Business Directory (IBD, 1999-2009), some of these implemented measures include: †¢Loosening of foreign exchange controls in order to promote greater tradebetween India and other countries †¢Companies now have significant amount of freedom to raise funds from foreign markets in order to invest and expand their foreign operations in India †¢Trade between countries is subject to fewer trade restrictions; i. . decreasing tariff levels †¢Foreign investors can pass on earnings from Indian operations with relative ease As India and its industries continue to develop and expand, more and more investors are attracted to its market with hopes of experiencing great returns. The possibilities of foreign investment in India seem endless with the combination of incentives and benefits that the Indian government offers to foreign investors. Some of these incentives include tax exemptions due to the various tax treaties that India has with 40 other countries, as well as investment incentives offered by the Indian government and the state (IBD, 1999-2009). One of the major reasons why India has attracted vast amounts of FDI in recent years is due to its FDI policies. According to the Embassy of India website (2009), FDI up to 100 percent is allowed under the â€Å"automatic route† in all sectors and activities except for those that are otherwise stated. Some of these sectors that don’t permit full ownership by the foreign investor include such items that require special licensing; i. e. alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and tobacco products, electronic aerospace and defense equipment, explosives, and hazardous chemicals. There are also other sectors of the economy that are prohibited from receiving ANY form of FDI, which include atomic energy, railway transport, ammunition and defense equipment, and mineral oils. However, most of the sectors fall under the â€Å"automatic route† for FDI, which basically implies that FDI can take place without the approval of the central government.

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Question 1 asked to complete a five forces analysis of the US Express Mail Industry. A five forces analysis is done to rate the attractiveness of an industry. Threat of new entry is low because the barriers to entry are high. Newcomers to the industry would require an enormous amount of up front capital to set up the distribution networks and infrastructure, such as establishing hubs, and acquiring aircraft and a large amount of ground transportation vehicles (vans, trucks, ect). Economies of scale are significant and would deter new firms from entering because initial sales volumes would be low do to the fact that existing brands already have strong brand identification, and there are no cost advantages to entering, like government subsidiaries or favorable locations. There would also be aggressive reaction from the three main players (FedEx, UPS, Airborne) since the level of rivalry is already so high. Buyer power (customers consisting of businesses and the general public) is high mainly because the large volume of customers have no brand loyalty in the express mail industry. Customers base their selection of a carrier on reliability, price, and convenience and there is not much product differentiation in any of those areas between carriers so customers can bounce around between carriers, essentially playing the competitors against each other, forcing prices down and demanding higher quality and services. Supplier power is high overall. The main inputs, or supplies, for the express mail industry are fuel, airports, aircraft, ground transportation, and the employees. The employees are unionized and have the power to demand higher wages and benefits, they may not always get that, but then there is the potential for strikes, like with UPS, which costs UPS $700 million in revenues and hurt their reputation. Fuel is another supplier power that is high. Fuel is a key component and there is limited bargaining when it comes to negotiating fuel prices. Another key product is the airports, there are only a few in each major city, and the carriers have to go where they have to go, hitting those hubs in major cities, thus causing there to be little bargaining power with airports. The airports and the aircraft suppliers aren’t only relying on the express mail industry, so that also gives those suppliers more power to charge what they want (landing fees, cost of planes). Ground transportation vehicles is the only input that would allow for more bargaining power since there are numerous alternatives available, there is more room for the  industry players to negotiate price. The availability of substitutes is medium mainly because there aren’t a large number of substitutes out there for express mail outside of the industry. Most next day deliveries are business documents, parcels, letters, ect, not typically cargo. So substitutes could include email and faxes, both are faster and cheaper than express mailing. Depending on the nature of the business, video conferencing or the old fashion telephone could be used. If the parcel is going somewhere local maybe could use bike messengers, or just hand deliver. There are also the second tier players, like RPS, DHL and TNT, while they are still in the delivery industry; they tend to specialize in areas other than express mail. With RPS, it is second day service at 40-50% less, and a business that does a large amount of overseas or international express shipments may want to substitute with DHL or TNT, who specialize and differentiate themselves in the international market. The Intensity of rivalry is high. The domestic express mail industry only consists of three major firms, UPS, FedEx, and Airborne, and six second tier firms, such as DHL, RPS, and the U.S. Postal Service so there isn’t a high level of concentration. The big three make up 85% of the U.S. express mail market. There is intense competition, when one company lowers prices, so does another, leading to price wars. When one company improves it technology or offers more service, so do the others, leading to difficulty in differentiating products. Fixed costs are high (planes, hubs, transportation) and when fixed costs are high it causes companies to want to reduce prices in order to sell more and generate more revenue, but the revenues have not kept up with falling prices and has caused the industry growth to be slow so the companies are all fighting for market share. The exit barriers are also high, financially and non-financially. Financially because of the enormous amount of capital that has been invested (fleets of planes and/or trucks, set up of the distribution networks and infrastructures), and non-financially, mainly due to social costs. People conduct business everyday and rely on urgent delivery of time sensitive information (documents, contracts, and perishables like medical samples) and not having the services of the express mail industry to deliver those time sensitive parcels could cripple the economy, for example when UPS when on strike for 16 days, there was a â€Å"noticeable disruption† to the economy as a whole. So in conclusion, based upon this analysis, the US Express Mail Industry in terms of profitability is very unattractive and would be considered unattractive by any firms considering entering as well.

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Assessment of organization culture - Essay Example Thus, in the organization there is a powerful force that determines individual and group behavior of the personnel. Risk taking or innovation is a controversial issue for the companies and the resolution depends on people’s perception (Ben 2015). McDonald’s is oriented on external innovation and it is a client-oriented company. Thus all the innovations are made if clients demand them. The technological and menu innovations affect the work of personnel, which should be always ready for the new and sustainable to stress. However, the principles set by the founder of the company are still thoroughly followed (McDonald’s — Company Overview). Attention to details is a criterion that evaluates how employees are accurate in their work. McDonald’s pays much attention to this aspect of the organization culture, because it is extremely important. Therefore McDonalds’s is focused on this cultural aspect and employees’ performance is mainly examined for their attention to the detail in their work. Accuracy and precision in work is core characteristic of this organization. This characteristic of the organization demonstrates how the employees in organization are result-oriented and focused on the achievements. McDonald’s is a highly result-oriented organization, which measures employees’ performance by the targets the company has achieved People play a very important role in the technology of McDonald’s as a computer, or information system can’t work as quickly as a brain of a person. The majority of information in the kitchen of McDonalds is transferred by people, and computers only provide some help, because data should be transferred very quickly. This aspect refers to organizational culture where activities are organized around team rather than individuals (Ben 2015). The work of McDonald’s is posible only in team, every employee is a part of this team and has his own role. Aggressiveness is

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Events of September 20th 1973 Speech or Presentation

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International relation&the 2003 Intervention in Iraq - Case Study Example There was no the mandate of the United Nations; it was a policy that was used by the US administration to destabilize Saddam Hussein’s government. Consequently, when George Bush took office in 2001, he was determined to accomplish what his predecessor had started. President Bill Clinton had authorized the $97 million military aid to the Iraq opposition forces to topple Saddam Hussein and install the democratic government (Popular Social Science 1). After the first Gulf War in Iraq both the Clinton and the Bush administrations hoped that the imposition of economic sanctions and the no-flight zones in Iraq would result in a palace revolution by members of Saddam’s own Baath regime (Popular Social Science 1). This was not U.N. policy, however, but Washington’s own unilateral intention was to overthrow the regime in Baghdad and install a democracy in Iraq. From the above phenomena, we can depict that the second Bush Administration did not follow the channels of the United Nations to launch war; because there were concerns the deal could not be vetoed due to humanitarian concerns and could hinder the big plans right from the Clinton Administration. Additionally, in 2002 the Congress and the Senate of the United States had passed a resolution that gave the president more powers to invade any country without the mandate of the United Nations (Popular Social Science 1). From the above statement, it gives a clear picture the congress and the Senate were main bodies that empowered the Second Bush Administration to declare war without the authorization of the United Nations. Additionally, by 2002 the US was speaking in one voice on matters of foreign policy, thus, Bush used the proxy endorsement of the resolution of the congress and the senate to the launch war against Saddam Hussein. The United States is likely to attack another country unilaterally because there was a declaration made in1992 by the Department of the United States Defense. In this

Investment research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Investment research - Essay Example Similarly, appended graph 1 shows the variations of these companies’ returns over the same period of time. We can see in the graph that the National Australian Bank and Westpac Banking show the greatest variation amongst the five options. This signifies the high risk involvement. Nonetheless, Woolworths shows the least variation and a moderate return and appears to be the best option for investment. The picture will be further clarified with the help of average returns and risk measurements. Woolworths is the best option amongst the five investment options as seen in appended table 2. The company provides one of the best returns with least amount of risk involvement. Similarly, Telstra also seems to be a viable option for the investment as it provides a moderate return with least risk entanglements. However, greater returns involve higher risks. Westpac Banking provides the highest returns amongst the options; nonetheless, it is also the riskiest option amongst them. On the other hand, National Australian Bank is one of the worst options to be availed as it provides the least return with a high risk factor. Thus, E must see the highest investment in the portfolio. However, in a portfolio, we need to balance our investment. We will need to make investments in all the five options so that we can earn a moderate return in all the situations. Since, Woolworths is the best possible company; therefore it must see the largest chuck of the investment. Similarly, another major chuck must be invested in Telstra. The other companies must only see a small chuck of investment to balance the

Comparing and Contrasting Tragic Heroes †Oedipus and Prufrock Essay Example for Free

Comparing and Contrasting Tragic Heroes – Oedipus and Prufrock Essay Introduction: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (1896 –1940) the Irish American novelist and short story writer of the twentieth century said â€Å"Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy†(as quoted in memorablequotations.com). Indeed more often than not, great tragedies of yore were always centered round the deeds or the misdeeds of a hero (usually a man of noble birth) his misfortunes and the cursed nature of his life, fated to suffer and fall from glory. The concepts of heroes and heroism have themselves undergone vast changes from Sophocles’ (496-406 B. C) times. Consequently, the idea of hero-based tragedy indeed, even the basic traits of heroism has undergone transformation. As against the noble-born, valorous hero of Sophocles and Aristotle (in The Poetics of 30 B. C.), the common man who struggles to make a decent living, and fulfill ordinary aspirations such as wanting to be loved, given affection, loyalty, friendship etc, in a mundane, mechanized, and mad-after-money world (bereft of human values) his life has become the focus of the twentieth century tragedies. This essay, shall take two characters, Oedipus – the King (425 B.C), in the ancient drama of Sophocles, and J. Alfred Prufrock, in the twentieth century poet T.S. Eliot’s (1888 –1965) â€Å"Love song of J. Alfred Prufrock† (1915), and analyze their similarities and dissimilarities, with a brief definition of Tragic Hero as given by Sophocles, and the definition of a Tragic Hero in modern times. Definitions with illustrations of Tragic Heroes – Ancient and Twentieth Century: First, the idea of a tragic hero, in the ancient times shall be discussed.   Aristotle, who was a great Greek philosopher and thinker, stipulated a couple of traits as absolutely necessary for a tragic hero: he must be noble origin, or at least possess a noble spirit, and he must be the cause of his own suffering. Aristotle (384-322 B.C), quoting the character of Oedipus depicted by Sophocles, laid down certain rules that a tragic hero must possess: a leader who is filled with good and bad elements Oedipus was of noble birth and had many noble characters like wanting redeem his kingdom from the plague, but he also was too proud etc; he is ignorant of his imminent fall, though the audience have prior knowledge of it in case of Oedipus the audience had prior knowledge of his birth and identity, while he considers himself the son of Polybus, the king of Corinth; his inherent flaw or â€Å"hamart ia† is the cause of his fall – his belief that he can over come the prophecy that he will kill his father; suffers isolation because of this self-exile from Corinth; suffering is irreversible – the blinding he causes to himself later; undergoes punishment because of his own pride or â€Å"hubris† – Oedipus pursues the killer of King Laius, despite counsel against it; a misguided sense of heroism, wherein he is prepared to take on the guilt of the state or kingdom on himself – his belief that he can somehow overcome the prophecy of the oracle by leaving his parents; resulting in greater conflict with fate – Oedipus finally goes to Thebes and killed his own father, without knowing who the latter was, thereby fulfilling the oracle; a restoration of balance to the original state of social harmony through cleansing of pity and fear – Oedipus undertakes to go away in exile which was the punishment he had ordered for the killer of the previous king handing over the kingdom to Creon; which he called catharsis or tragic satisfaction (adapted from Allingham, 2002:1). Thus Oedipus exactly fits the role with of a tra gic hero, as laid down by Aristotle. Coming to modern tragic hero of the twentieth century, as mentioned earlier, has come a long way from the stipulations of the ancients for tragic-heroism.   Daniel J. Boorstin (1914 –2004), an American writer, and the Librarian of Congress, talks of the heroes of the modern world as being â€Å"anonymous† and â€Å"the unsung hero: †¦ the honest cop, the hard worker at lonely, underpaid, unglamorous, unpublicized jobs† (as in memorablequotations.com). A modern tragic hero may described as someone who does not hold any of the ancient lofty ideals, rather as an ordinary man who is disillusioned with the ruthless world around him and is not able to come to terms with it and suffers thereby with a feeling of helplessness, and is unable to realize his full potential because of this. Typically, he is subjected to moods, driven by extreme happiness or plunged into extreme sorrow, very sophisticated, filled with doubts, lives in the crowded cities yet suffers desperately from isolation, smart yet sensitive, and often disillusioned to such an extent that he feels life itself has lost all meaning or relevance to him. Eliot’s Prufrock, typically suffers all these qualities. For example, he is always filled with self-doubt, â€Å"a deep phobia of life, turning into what one could perhaps best describe as complete biological defeatism† (Mirsky, undated). He seems to be the very best representation of so many negative attributes, like procrastination, indecision, doubts, frustration that reflects the impotent helplessness of the modern, urban man. The first few lines in the poem are from Dante’s Inferno, which is used as a prelude, to show that Prufrock, the protagonist is already doomed and is voicing out his thoughts because he is so sure that no-one is hearing them. The poem describes the innermost feelings, extremely tortured with a wanting, to disclose his love to his chosen woman, but prevented from self-doubt, and fear, phobia, â€Å"Do I dare / Disturb the universe?† (Eliot, lines 44-45), because he only knew too well the out come of such expression â€Å"That is not what I meant at all† (Eliot, line 97). The vivid description of the places, possibly his dwelling place, reflects the sordid state in which the typical twentieth century man lived, and the isolation he felt â€Å"of lonely men in shirt-sleeves† (Eliot, line 73). Eliot’s Prufrock, ultimately fails even to begin his proposal to his lady love, because he could not muster the courage to do it, with a premonition of failure overcoming him and, grows old, suffering life-long loneliness. In a sense this defeatism, is his flaw that proves to be the cause of his woes. He claims that he is not â€Å"Prince Hamlet† (Eliot, line 111), referring to the Shakespearean tragic hero, implying his lack of royal lineage, but the irony is that he is, in fact exactly like Hamlet, who by postponing his decision avenge his father’s death, by killing kill Claudius, leads to the death of many others, and finally his own. All this prove that, he does conform to the image of a twentieth century tragic-hero. Comparing and Contrasting, the two tragic heroes: One similarity between the two characters that strikes a literature student immediately is that, both Oedipus and Prufrock, actually are depicted as surviving long into old age, despite all their sadness and failures and disillusionment. Almost as if to chew cud, ruminate all that had gone by and to die a slow painful death of their miserable actions; misguided in Oedipus’ case, â€Å"Woe, woe, and woe again! / How through my soul there darts the sting of pain, / The memory of my crimes† (Sophocles, lines 1372-74) and inactions in the case of Prufrock, â€Å"I grow old† (Eliot, line 120). Both, ultimately realize their folly, or flaw, but are helpless to reverse the situation. In Prufrock’s case, he is entirely the cause of his own suffering, but still is impotent to change the situation. Both despise themselves for their helplessness. Thus, their sufferings seem amplified and add to the brooding quality of their tragic lives. Both are isolated and are despised by the world, in their thinking. Prufrock states that he doesn’t think that the mermaids will sing to him; Oedipus begs to be led away hurriedly, being the most polluted of all, and â€Å"Of all men most accursed† (Sophocles, line1396). Though the two characters share the above stated common traits and both are tragic heroes, there are quite a few dissimilarities too. The first difference is the form of portrayal of the tragic heroes. Oedipus is the hero of the dramatic form, and hence his character is more clear and open to study, presenting a fuller picture of all his characteristic traits and complex behavior. Prufrock, on the other hand is neither a king, nor of noble thinking, and he is the tragic hero in a poem. Implicitly, the shortage of space in a poem puts limitations on extensive character portrayal of the hero. Thus, the student is able to study only a portion of the character’s life-span of Prufrock, in contrast to the full life history of Oedipus. The other most striking contrast is that Oedipus is an ancient tragic hero – actively upholding the principles of high idealism, altruism, justice, and valor while being beleaguered by feelings of jealousy, treachery, disloyalty, dishonor, greed, lust for power etc, the modern,   tragic-hero is more of an anti-hero, and impotent. In the sense, he is so defeated by the power of the dull, uninspiring world around him, that he prefers to rather remain inactive, than to actively try to change his situation and be defeated. It is almost as if the uselessness of the attempts of the ancient tragic heroes have been embedded in the collective psyche of the modern tragic hero, and hence, he is already aware of the outcome, he doesn’t even want to attempt. Oedipus not being aware of his true identity, led him to wrongly believe that Polybus was his father, and thereafter his vow never to return to Corinth. But still he, as the mark of a true hero took an action of self-exile which ultimately led to fructify the designs of fate. Nevertheless, he was action-oriented and defeated. Whereas, the modern tragic hero in Prufrock, is so much a pessimist, that he remains defeated with inaction – by sheer preference. In fact, it is said that T.S. Eliot was reflecting on the dismal conditions of the world surrounding him, and this poem partially paved the way for his other later works like The Wasteland (1922). The differing time-periods of the two characters have resulted in the portrayal of the different societies in which these two heroes lived. For example, the people of the land of Thebes have been represented as the Chorus, and they are actively involved in the happenings of the state, the king and the welfare of the state, showing a healthy environment; whereas, the desolate depiction of the twentieth century environment, in Eliot’s poem is more dismal, and uninspiring. It seems the society as a common force had died out, or at least not visible. Conclusion: The tragic heroes Oedipus and Prufrock belong to totally different ages; consequently, present entirely different set of traits and ideals by which they are depicted. While both the heroes have some aspects common to all tragedies, they also display very contrasting traits which make their study, all the more interesting.   However, both are symbols of negative impact that afflict the state, ancient and the twentieth century.                  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   List of readings and works cited The sources on which this essay is based on are: Eliot, T.S.  (1888–1965).†The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock† in Prufrock and Other Observations.  Ã‚  1917. On line edition Published May 1996 by Bartleby.com   Web address http://www.bartleby.com/198/1.html Accessed on June 12, 2006. Sophocles. Oedipus the King, translated by E. H. Plumptre. Vol. VIII, Part 5. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Website address http://www.bartleby.com/8/5/2.html and   http://www.bartleby.com/8/5/3.html Accessed on June 12, 2006. Other works cited and readings that have helped in gaining a better understanding towards writing this essay are: Allingham, V, Philip. 2002. â€Å"Aristotelian Tragedy and the Novels of Thomas Hardy† in The Victorian Web. Website:http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hardy/pva187.html Accessed on June 12, 2006. McCoy, Kathleen., Harlan, Judith. (1992). ENGLISH LITERATURE FROM 1785 (New   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   York: HarperCollins, 1992: 265-66) Web site address:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/english/English151W-03/prufrock.htm   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Accessed on June 12, 2006. memorablequotations.com (2005).   â€Å"Memorable Quotations: Heroes† website address http://www.memorablequotations.com/heroquotes.htm Accessed on June 12, 2006. Mirsky, D.S. Undated.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"T. S. Eliot and The End of Bourgeois Poetry† trans. by Gunnar Jauch, Annelie Hultà ©n, and Arwin van Arum. Website address http://members.chello.nl/~a.vanarum8/EliotProject/Essays/Mirsky.htm Accessed on June 12, 2006.

Challenges of the Native American Essay Example for Free

Challenges of the Native American Essay Native American culture is in its downfall, due to the discrimination and dehumanization that Native Americans have faced. Native American culture revolves around a circle. They believe the most important aspects of life such as nature is based on circles. The repetition of life and death, their own families, and even the food chain are all examples of circles. These circles have been shattered by the discrepancies from white men in particular. Being kicked off their land and forced into reservations, Carlisle Schools, and substance abuse have broken the Native American circle. Authors like Sherman Alexie have displayed examples of these broken circles. His work has made our society aware of the discrimination the Native American culture has endured. Settlers viewed themselves as above the Native Americans resulting in conflicts between the two. These conflicts escalated, and the white settlers viewed Native Americans as a threat to the country. The U. S. government forced Native Americans onto land that was viewed unimportant, or of no value at all. This has broken their circle by forcing them away from their homeland and they had to restart their lives in a new land. This was the beginning of the downfall for the Native American culture and its circle. Schools were specifically designed to tear apart the Native American circle. The Carlisle School was founded by Richard Pratt in 1892 (Pavelic, Perelshstein 1). The school†s main goal was to convert young Native Americans to American lifestyle and culture. The school stripped Native American childrens culture away from them by converting them to Christianity, and forcing them to never use their native language (Pavelic, Perelshstein 1). By tearing the Native American culture out of the children, the culture is unable to pass on through them hence destroying the circle by not allowing their culture to be taught to future generations. After the discrimination and dehumanization from being kicked off their land and being forced into American culture, many Native Americans also began self-destructing due to substance abuse. Native Americans have the highest rate of substance abuse above any other race in the U. S. (Meir 1). These substances include alcohol, and harsher drugs such as methamphetamine. Substance abuse breaks the family circle because it leads to physical abuse, or abandoning of families displayed in the movie Smoke Signals. Many Native Americans use alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with all the pain they have to face. The abuse of alcohol shows the lack of hope, and shows them surrendering to the discrimination thus surrendering their dreams. By giving up on what they have wanted they fracture the circle of hope and happiness. Hope and happiness are two very important circles because they give people fuel to do great things. When one person is happy and has hope it will be contagious giving people joy. Without this circle the world would be a very tedious and weary place. Authors have made attempts to restore Native American culture and the broken circles. The book Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is novel about hope. Arnold Spirit who lives on a impoverished Native American reservation is the main character in the novel. He is bullied and physically beaten on a day to day basis and almost every adult on the reservation is an alcoholic including his parents. Arnold does not give up, he sees an opportunity to be uplifted from all of the hardships and he takes it. Sherman Alexie shows that hope, and willpower is what is needed in order to restore the circle. Sherman Alexie also wrote the screenplay to the movie called, Smoke Signals. This movie revolves around the fight of normal Native Americans to rise above stereotypes. Thomas-Builds-the-Fire and Victor Joseph are the main characters who set off to obtain Victors Dads ashes who abandoned Victor when he was young. Their problem is that it is hard to discover who they really are because of all the stereotypes that tear them apart. Victor asks Thomas how many times he had seen Dances with Wolves. A hundred, two hundred times? Oh, jeez, you have seen it that many times, havent you? Man, do you think that shit is real? God. Dont you even know how to be a real Indian? Thomas responded saying, I guess not. Victor then went on to tell Thomas to look more stoic and not to smile like an idiot. This scene is an example of how Victor rejects stereotypes, yet embraces them. He does not know who he is, if he is like a stoic Native American, or if he is just like everyone else in the world. In the end, Thomas and Victor manage to discover themselves and to surpass their confusion regarding their identity induced by the stereotypical image others have of them. Thomas helps Victor by showing him not all people are bad and untrustworthy. Thomas teaches Victor to forgive and forget which helps Victor forgive his father. Thomas would tell Victor good stories about how great his dad was which leads to Victor cutting off his hair because he is ashamed of how he felt towards his father. Cutting off ones hair was a Native American ceremony used to show regret. Sherman Alexie has impacted the Native American culture with his award winning book Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and his screenplay for the movie Smoke Signals. He has impacted their culture by showing the world examples of broken circles and has given hope to the Native Americans. The Native Americans circle has been broken by stereotypes, dehumanization, and discrimination of the past and the present. Each has torn apart the Native American culture leaving a permanent mark. Most Native Americans have no hope regarding any change to their broken culture. The high rate of substance abuse among Native Americans shows the lack of hope, and the acceptance of such a broken culture. Those who seek hope such as Sherman Alexie, have been successful. He displays his hope in the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and in the movie, Smoke Signals. Ultimately, hope is the key that unlocks the broken circles that Native Americans have been overtaken by.

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay The hospitality sector is one of the most crucial service providers for the international travel and tourism industry. It includes all businesses which accommodate tourists and travellers when travelling to other destinations. They are an integral part of the overall experience, and must live up to the standards which are expected by clientele and those which are set by the industry. Modern websites such as Trip Advisor also set standards based on peoples evaluations of their personal experiences. These evaluations are viewed by potential clients from all over the world, and can influence their choice of hotel, motel, or any other accommodation provider or catering establishment. Task 1- Investigate the hospitality sector. Accommodation providers Hotels Generally, when tourists arrive at their final destination their main interest is to check into their hotel room and unwind, especially after hours of travel. It is therefore crucial that guests are treated with utmost care, as they may be tired and possibly irritated after their trip. Hotels within the Euro zone typically hold 1-5 star ratings which depend on the quality, scale, and the number of amenities and services which are offered. Hotel ratings outside the EU are not limited to five stars, such as the ultra luxurious 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Accommodation is a fundamental component in package holidays. Tourists may opt for budget packages which include basic 1 to 3 star accommodation, whilst others may opt for higher priced packages offering 4 to 5 star accommodation. When opting for luxurious accommodation, guests may spend a good proportion of their time at the hotel or resort to make full use of the amenities which are being offered. Guests would expect to be pampered throughout their stay, particularly for the price being paid. If problems are encountered, they would expect a rapid response and immediate action to be taken. 5 star establishments usually offer 24 hour receptionist and concierge services, valet parking for guests who have rented their own cars, as well as 24 hour maid, maintenance, and room service. One would also expect to have an in-room mini bar and safe, personal care products, high speed Wi-Fi access, laundry services, gym, spa and a business centre, to name a few. 4 and 3 star hotels offer more of a comfortable ambience than a luxurious one, whilst 2 and 1 star hotels offer basic, yet clean accommodation, and are more suited for people who aim to spend most of their time outdoors. Rooms are simple, but include a colour television, and an en suite bathroom. In general however, as the star rating decreases, the facilities and services also decrease in number, and possibly in quality. Although there may be certain hiccups in the services rendered due to human variability, cleanliness cannot suffer the same fate. Strict health regulations should be abided by and enforced by health authorities on a regular basis to ensure that hotel operators are giving enough importance to cleanliness. Cleanliness is so important that Trip Advisor features it as one of the main categories which can be rated together with service, location, rooms, sleep quality and value for money. Guests can also back up their cleanliness claims with candid photos. However, hotel amenities and services often do differ from country to country, as well as from brand to brand, even within the same destination. As with all companies, it is ultimately up to the people running the establishments to live up to their star ratings, or more appropriately in todays markets, exceed them. Motels and guest houses A motel is essentially a small hotel which is specifically designed for motorway travellers. They originated in the United States when motor trips were becoming the norm. After a day of travelling, people needed a convenient place to spend the night before getting back on the road. Currently, one of the most popular motel chains is Motel 6, which has more than 1000 establishments in North America and Canada, and is run by the international Accor Hotels group. Similarly to motels, guest houses also provide a relatively affordable alternative to other accommodation. However, unlike motels, guesthouses offer accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, where the house owners would prepare a simple homemade breakfast for their guests. Some travellers specifically opt for themed guesthouses, such as those which are said to be haunted. Camping parks, caravanning and lodges Camping parks and lodges give people the opportunity to enjoy nature and the outdoors, an activity which is becoming increasingly rare as people surround themselves with technology. Caravans and family sized motor vehicles are most commonly used by groups of friends or family members for camping trips. Lodges are typically found in wooded areas, mountain ranges, or ski resorts, and vary in quality, ranging from relatively basic to more upscale accommodation. They may take the form of a group of cabins with common facilities or as solitary cabins with dedicated facilities, which are all popular options for family trips, or romantic getaways. Self-catering apartments Self catering apartments have become popular as they offer greater flexibility, even though there is often the need to cook and clean. They also offer more of a homely ambience than motels or hotels as they consist of a kitchen, living room, and dining area. Renting an apartment may very well save clients money, especially if they plan to spend most of the time outdoors. The high paying tourist may rent a luxurious villa for a few days and hire their own butler, whilst the average family may decide to cook for themselves and enjoy spending their hard earned money elsewhere. Cruise ships Cruise ships originally catered for the wealthy, however as costs were lowered and new business strategies were created, they are now more affordable to the average income earner. Companies usually offer long-haul to short-haul cruises, some of which are all inclusive and others such as easyCruise which requires patrons to pay as they go. One would usually find a vast selection of high quality foods on board, mostly in buffet form. Catering providers Catering is fundamental to the success of the tourism and hospitality industries. It is so important that catering outlets can be found in places ranging from city centres and hotels to boats, trains and airlines. Restaurants The menu, music, ambience and pricing are the most crucial factors in determining which restaurant to choose. There are restaurants which cater for different requirements, ranging from affordable takeouts to high class and exclusive establishments. Restaurants form an integral part of a tourists holiday, some of whom would visit the same restaurant day after day if it is to their liking, whilst others may decide to experience a different restaurant each day. Chain restaurants offer tourists a sense of financial security. Tourists know that McDonalds in Portugal will offer the same products as McDonalds in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, when it comes to non-chain restaurants it tends to be less simple. Tourists would often visit restaurants based on recommendations made by the staff at the concierge of their hotel, from locals, or Trip advisor. Generally one would usually find catering establishments to suit all tastes and pockets. If a destination receives high, medium, and low spenders, then there must be establishments which cater specifically for them. The top restaurants in the world are usually Michelin accredited, which is possibly the most majestic of all international restaurant awards. A restaurant can acquire a maximum of three Michelin stars, meaning that it is almost faultless in terms of service, food quality and the overall ambience. Cafes Cafes used to specialise in hot beverages such as teas and coffees. However, they have developed to a great extent since then and now offer a variety of snacks and food offerings. As cafes increase in popularity, they tend to add more to their menu to increase their client base. Cafes are becoming so popular that McDonalds now has its very own McCafe, which was established to possibly compete with the likes of Starbucks or other international cafes. Outside catering Hospitality caterers are of great importance for major events such as conferences, after parties and exhibitions, which attract people from all over the world. It is up to the organisers to ensure that all of the participants are prepared to collectively deliver an unforgettable and unparalleled experience. 5 star hotels are usually chosen for large events as they can afford to strike better balances between quality and price than other lower rated hotels or catering establishments. Theatres, cinemasand shopping complexes. Going to the cinema or theatre is often not complete without a snack or a beverage. It has become custom to have something to eat or drink when watching your favourite film or play. Most cinemas have their very own snack bars, which serve beverages and snacks such as popcorn and nachos. In Portugal for instance, the major shopping complexes such as Vasco Da Gama, Colombo shopping centre, and Cascais Shopping in the Lisbon area have their own cinemas in-house. Located right next to the cinema entrances one would find countless catering establishments ranging from cafes to fine dining. Motorway service station Motorway service stations throughout the world offer dining options for motorway travellers, most of which have simple cafes which also offer snacks. However, some motorway service stations do offer establishments such as McDonalds for instance. Motorway restaurants have proven immensely popular, especially for people travelling long distances on major highways. Rail and ferry catering Railway passengers usually have limited or no catering amenities onboard. Costs will undoubtedly be high and the range of items available for consumption would be limited due to the lack of space on board. Ferries on the other hand are much larger and have a lot more space to comfortably seat patrons. A number of dining areas can be provided onboard, however cafes and snack bars are still the most feasible. In-flight catering Space on an aircraft is even more limited, so meals are usually reduced to two kinds of dishes on passenger planes. AirMalta for instance has for the past several years licensed Corinthia Hotels International as their official provider of in-flight food. Food portions are often small and specially packed to protect the food from pressure buildup. The meals are pre-heated and stored in small compartments in the kitchen area of the aircraft. First class flyers do sometimes have the option to select their own meal, but these services are obviously reflected in the high fares. Task 2- Explain the interrelationship between hospitality, and travel and tourism organisations Hospitality organisations are some of the most important service providers to the travel and tourism industry. Whether for leisure or for business, people do spend a significant amount of time at their hotel, particularly if it is of a luxury status. Guests would understandably want to reap the benefits offered by their hotel, particularly for the premium prices paid. Package holidays The role of hospitality in package holidays is very significant. Hotels which are included in package holidays ultimately depend on the price paid for the package. If someone opts for a budget package, then one would not expect 5 star accommodation, but more realistically some form of 3 star or possibly 4 star accommodation. Popular holiday packages are often mass purchased, so customers would benefit from good hotel rates and airline ticket prices. Hotels also have special agreements with individual travel agents, offering special rates to their companies in return for a guaranteed flow of customers from their end. Customers may opt for accommodation on room only basis, bed and breakfast, half board, or more rarely, full board basis. Travel agent representatives regularly check up on their clients at their hotel to ensure that they are having a pleasant time. They also discuss any problems that they have been experiencing throughout the duration of their stay, and get them sorted accordingly. All inclusive packages are also available but do not offer customers the flexibility of other packages. Such packages would include everything that is needed for the whole stay such as meals, beverages, hotel, tours, and all other requirements. Customers who opt for these packages would usually spend most of their time within the resort as most of their activities would be based there. Aviation The Airline industrys success depends very much on accommodation availability. Airlines may lose out on business if hotels are at full capacity. This is a serious problem for airlines flying to small destinations such as Malta, as there have been instances where all hotels on the island were fully booked. Major airlines must therefore analyse situations regarding bed availability, and choose flight times and days accordingly. Hospitality is also present onboard airlines in the form of catering, as well as sleeping arrangements. Budget airlines offer food and beverages at extra cost, whilst higher class airlines often offer all inclusive food and beverages, even to those paying for economy seating. Some ultra luxurious airlines even have reclining seats which turn into beds, as well as silver service dining and a centrally located bar, where customers can choose what to eat and drink. Business travel Business people specifically opt for hotels which are equipped with the necessary facilities to work comfortably. They search for hotels with business centres, Wifi or cable internet access, meeting rooms and conference areas, as well as other services such as 24 hour laundry and dry cleaning. They may also try to fit in some time for leisure, particularly in between meetings, where they would either spend time by the pool, at the spa, or out and about. However, due to the nature of business travel this is not always possible. The same goes for catering establishments. Business people opt for some of the best restaurants in order to impress business associates or clients. They make use of the money supplied to them by their companies, so they can afford to choose high class restaurants to accompany their luxury accommodation. Globalisation has brought about a growing need for business related travel, and this will undoubtedly grow even further as destinations become more connected. Budget airlines have also made business travel a lot more affordable to companies, however, some companies believe that flying business class would keep their reputation intact. Business class was essentially developed for business people who required space to work. Emerging destinations such as India and China are becoming hotspots for business travel, and international companies from around the world are interested in setting up branches there. Their industries are growing faster than any other, and certain companies do not wish to miss out on any opportunities to increase their market share and profitability. Conferences and exhibitions Conferences and exhibitions are also crucial for national and international travel and tourism industries. For instance, between the 29th of August and the 4th of September, Malta welcomed its largest ever conference, hosting 5000 delegates who were invited to the yearly Oriflame conference, each of which stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels. In total, 8 million Euros were injected into the local economy, mostly through accommodation costs. Outside caterers, mainly from hotels, were chosen to prepare food for all of the delegates. Conference attendees are often hosted at the hotel at which the event is taking place. Exhibitions offer consumers the possibility to view products or services before purchasing them. The International Tourism Bourse (ITB) is an international exhibition which attracts exhibitors from around the world. Companies, organisations and NTOs showcase their new offerings and concepts to other people from the field. Such events attract thousands of people from around the world, benefitting numerous hotels in the events perimeter. Visitor attractions A visitor attraction is anything which gets people talking or that is of interest to visitors, tourists and others. Attractions may take the form of manmade creations such as museums and theme parks, or natural attractions such as natural parks. On the other hand, some sites happen to be of interest to people simply because of the activities taking place there, and not because the actual place hosting the event is of any interest. Theme parks are possibly the most popular visitor attractions, collectively seeing millions of visitors on a yearly basis. Disneyland happens to be one of the worlds most popular flagship attractions, and can be found in the United States, France, Japan and China. Most theme parks house their own restaurants and cafes, where families can enjoy a meal and then get back to having fun. However, Disneyland Paris goes a few steps further by having two hotels at the resort, which often feature in package holidays and are immensely popular. Task3- Describe integration within the hospitality industry Integration first gained popularity in the 1900s, when businesses focused on reaching economies of scale, through which they were able to benefit from lower operating costs. When companies provide their own products or services through in-house efforts, outsourcing is no longer required, therefore saving the company money in the long run. Through such integration companies are also able to increase their global presence and increase their market share. Vertical integration Vertical integration is a process through which a company buys another company in the distribution chain, or enters a merger agreement. This is primarily done to maximise profitability and benefit from lower operating costs. It is traditionally characterised by forward, backwards and lateral integration. One of the most followed and well documented episodes of vertical integration was that of the Carnegie Steel manufacturing company in the United States. It had complete control over the distribution chain including the iron mines, steel mills, railroads, coal mines and the ovens required to form the steel. The company placed economies of scale at the top of its agenda, and even focused on having people trained internally rather than employing outsiders. Barriers to entry will develop, limiting competition in the marketplace. Companies may gain control of suppliers such as accommodation and transportation providers to further limit potential competition. If monopolistic behaviour develops through wide scale integration, government agencies will interfere and set restrictions because competition is fundamental for improving quality in the services industry. Forward vertical integration is a process through which a company merges with another company further along in the distribution chain. For instance, a hotel chain may decide to buy its own travel agency or tour operator in order to expand into other markets. Hotels often strike agreements with travel agents and tour operators, providing special room rates and offers for clients brought to them. Backward Vertical integration is when a company purchases one of its suppliers and makes proper use of its inputs for the benefit of the organisation. A tour operator may purchase an airline company or a hotel, as they are both suppliers of services which are crucial to the package industry. TUI AG has over the course of its development created the TUI Hotels and Resorts brand, which owns and runs hotel brands such as Robinson, Magic life, Iberotel, Grecotel, Riu and Grupotel, totaling 243 hotels around the world. It has recently embarked on an entirely new project for the company, the first TUI branded hotel. The TUI Hotel Kaluga has 136 luxury rooms and 74 apartments, and is targeted specifically at business people. Lateral integration on the other hand requires the merger of two organisations which may have indirectly related products and services; however they need not be in direct competition with one another. The three types of vertical integration give a summary of possible strategies which may be adopted as companies often make use of different variants of these strategies. Horizontal integration Horizontal integration is important for companies which want to expand their customer base, benefit from economies of scale and above all, maximise profitability. It occurs when a company purchases or merges with a company at the same stage of the distribution chain. A fitting example of this occurred last August when Hilton hotels international purchased a hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort for â‚ ¬92,202,465. Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen recently formed a consortium for the production of their 107, C1 and Aygo automobiles, which are all based on the same shared platform, engines and hardware. The three companies shared their knowledge and resources to achieve a common goal. Although this example is not directly related to the hospitality industry, these cars have helped car rental companies increase their sales by a significant margin in Europe because tourists find them affordable to rent, environmentally friendly, reliable, and fun to drive. Horizontal integration can also be complementary in nature as opposed to competitive. Airlines often work closely with hotel chains, reaping some of the benefits which are offered by mergers without the actual risks. Such relationships are visible in the choice of airlines made by hotels for their airline miles schemes. Airlines gather data from hotels to try and make their flight schedules correspond with accommodation availability; however this is not always possible due to the dynamism and complexity of the hospitality and travel industries. To avoid disappointment, the majority of tourists book their accommodation beforehand to ensure that they have their rooms available upon arrival. Implications of integration on the hospitality sector. Branding A Brand name alone may conjure up certain feelings or emotions related to personal experiences with the brand. As with all industries, the success of the tourism industry depends on the branding techniques adopted by all the key players, and how well they can deliver their messages to target markets. It is crucial that clients are able to associate themselves with such brands, and vice versa. Brands often aim to make their loyal customers see their products or services as an extension of their personality or character. For instance, if a group of business people check in to the Sheraton Pine Cliffs hotel in the Algarve, they would expect the same check-in procedures, business amenities and lavish luxuries as any other Sheraton hotel. Anything different for the money paid would often be unacceptable. Just like Sheraton, Westin also belongs to Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It is an upscale brand which caters for all sorts of clients who are after luxurious accommodation. It has top class amenities for business people, and all the luxuries that couples would expect for that romantic getaway. It also happens to be the most family oriented brand within the Starwood group, offering facilities where children can play under constant supervision. The animation team at the Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta often organises activities during the day, such as Sony play station tournaments for teenagers, or interactive games and other fun activities for children. Westin hotels around the world also have a childrens check-in point at reception to make them feel as important as their accompanying adults. All of the above concepts are an integral part of the companys branding strategy. Coupled with other factors, children may use their positive experiences to influence their parents into visiting that same hotel time and time again. Market control and integration between larger organisations Some of the UKs major tour operators have purchased hotels overseas to increase their global presence and profitability. By doing so, they are able to control their hotel rates to their advantage, possibly bringing more affordable packages to their clients whilst increasing their sales. Although this kind of activity is beneficial to the company, it can be detrimental to smaller companies in the industry. Integration between large organisations undoubtedly poses a threat to smaller organisations, and it is inevitable that employees and their families will suffer as the larger organisations take over. Although often unfortunate, travel and tourism essentially depends on the survival of the fittest, the companies which are able to offer the best balance between quality, quantity and value for money. In certain instances, the growth of the Internet is limiting the potential of forward integration, particularly when it comes to holiday packages. It has thrown some travel agents out of business, as they did not have the necessary funds to shift their physical operations to virtual platforms. The dawn of dynamic packaging was also a major threat to these companies, so much so that UK tour operators are in the process of closing down retail outlets to focus more on internet selling. Although potential clients will benefit from lower costs over the internet, this can pose a grave threat to society as thousands of people may suffer from unemployment. Direct selling over the internet is widely employed by hotels that have their own online booking systems. This makes the reservations process a lot simpler, cheaper, and less time consuming for potential guests, as well as for hotels. However, a reservations team is still required for those bookings which are made directly with the hotel over the phone or at the front desk. Some people feel more comfortable making physical payments because they may not wish to provide their personal details over the internet. Or they may simply enjoy the human interaction. Increased globalisation After a company expands successfully in its destination of origin, overseas markets are often next in line. Globalisation is the result of a collection of expansions, which can be analysed from an internal and external perspective. A company will face internal globalisation whereby its employees from around the world will develop relationships with one another. External globalisation is when team members interact with clients from all over the world. Social networking websites also allow for such communication to occur. Companies often create their own accounts on websites such as Facebook and Twitter, through which team members and loyal clients from around the world can join in and engage in discussions. Globalisation has also made way for a drastic reduction in trade barriers, particularly within the European Union. EU countries often benefit from lower priced products and services when trade occurs within the Euro zone. This benefits accommodation and catering providers to a great extent, particularly when purchasing in bulk. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is undoubtedly one of the most powerful international hotel and leisure chains. It has had tremendous success through its integration projects over the last years. In the year 2005 it acquired the Le Meridien brand and its entire portfolio, which amounted to 130 hotels and resorts internationally. This acquisition has increased Starwoods customer base to a great extent with ultra chic properties in Africa, Europe, the Middle East as well as the Asian Pacific, and many more to come. Starwoods preferred guest programme has also benefitted Le Meridiens loyal guests as they have access to over 700 destinations as a result of the takeover. Mr. Steven J. Heyer, who at the time occupied the position of CEO at Starwood, believed that the acquisition of Le Meridien was a very exciting development for the Starwood brand. Le Meridien hotels are located in destinations where Starwood had little to no presence prior to the takeover. The Le Meridien brand provided the company with another exciting project to accompany their recent Aloft hotel brand. Since Starwoods takeover, The Le Meridien brand has been progressing steadily with widespread improvements in revenues and growth. Le Meridien Balluta in Malta happens to be one of Maltas top five 5 stars properties, and it is steadily working its way up. It began operations in the year 2004, just one year prior to the brands takeover by Starwood. Impacts of integration Economies of scale and market share Operating costs can be reduced significantly when companies integrate. If a tour operator takes over a hotel, the cost associated with investment would be high, however the benefits reaped by offering a wider variety of products or services can be seen immediately. In this case, integration would allow the tour operator to reduce its dependency on other accommodation providers as most operations can be taken care of within company parameters. The more reputable hotels the tour operator is willing and able to invest in, the more beneficial it will be from an operating cost stand point. The tour operator may lower the costs of its packages and pass the benefits onto the consumers. With the right strategies in place, market share will increase and profitability will be maximised. Through horizontal integration, companies can extend their existing client base, whilst through vertical integration companies can enter new markets and attract an entirely different customer base. Standardisation Standardisation is a complex and time consuming process, particularly in an industry which involves so many variables. Automated processes can most certainly be standardised, however it is a lot more difficult to standardise the human element, albeit not being impossible. For instance, McDonalds restaurants throughout the world have had their processes standardised. Whichever destination one visits, the procedures which employees follow are near identical, and the same goes for the food. The company tends to be highly efficient, time oriented, predictable and controlling over its processes and workforce. Standardisation can be possible in hotels, however it is limited. The way in which a telephone operator answers the phone can be standardised, and so can the way in which guests are greeted upon check-in. Variability will always be an issue, as the different departments within a company are run by different personnel, who each have their own standards and ways of dealing with situations. Quality It is not guaranteed that quality will improve through integration. As always, it depends on how variable the human element is. If a hotel is taken over by another, it does not mean that the new owner will have a better approach towards improving quality. Employees may not get along with their new bosses because they believe that the approach being adopted towards improving quality is not feasible or practical, therefore making the risk of error greater. It is therefore crucial that the management of any organisation does not opt for a strict top-down bureaucracy. Management must listen to what employees have to say because they are the people who

Rabbit Genetics :: essays research papers

Rabbit Genetics The similarity between the physiology of rabbits and humans makes the rabbit a good model for research into human disease. The most prevalent types of rabbits are cottontails and European rabbits. Domestic rabbits are tame assortments of European rabbits. The Californian, Florida White, and New Zealand White are the most common breeds used in research. Until 1912 rabbits were classified as rodents. Scientists discovered that the two types of animals differed in several distinct anatomical ways. Rabbits, for instance, have a second pair of upper incisors, known as "peg teeth," that are found behind the two main visible incisors in the upper jaw. Rabbits have elongated hind legs adapted for moving at high speeds over open areas. Rabbits generally move in a hopping motion. They also have webbed toes to keep them from spreading as they hop. Rabbits have flexible necks, which allow them to turn their heads more than rodents. Their spines are long and fragile and susceptible to fractures if the animal is held improperly. Research The ability to produce tumors in rabbits makes them useful models to study chemo/immunotherapy, as well as immunoprevention of certain cancers. Cholesterol studies: Rabbits have been used to test Probucol, a drug that lowers blood cholesterol and retards the development of hardening of the arteries. Eye ear and skin studies: Rabbits are used to study middle and inner ear infections, which affect millions of infants and children each year. †¢ Rabbits are also used to study Entropion, a condition in which the eyelashes are turned inward, as well as Glaucoma, which often results in blindness. †¢ Rabbits are used in eye and skin irritation tests to develop appropriate procedures for handling certain chemicals and to predict the toxicity of accidental exposure. †¢ More than 10,000 blind or visually impaired people have benefited from corneal transplants, possible only because of hundreds of trials on rabbits. Drug metabolism: Rabbits have been used to study the effects of marijuana on the central nervous system. Pregnacy Test Presently a woman who wants to find out if she's pregnant need only make a quick trip to the local drug, grocery, or convenience store; purchase an over-the-counter home pregnancy test kit; perform a simple test; and she'll know the results within a matter of minutes. Not so long ago, however, it was not nearly as quick or easy: Awomawho thought she might be with child had to schedule an appointment with her doctor, make a trip to his office, give a urine sample, go home, then spend an anxious couple of days waiting for the office to telephone with the test results.

Essay --

Introduction Cost accounting can be defined as evaluating data relating to cost in order for management to regulate actions and strategize for the future (Vanderbeck, E., 2013). Financial information is crucial in order for an organization to manage its expenses and for budgeting reasons. There are a few types of cost accounting that an organization can use in order to analyze financial information. Each method is unique and considers different variables when analyzing monetary data. It is dependent on the leaders of the organization to determine what cost accounting system would be best suited for their financial operations. Although there are numerous of methods for costing, this paper will particularly concentrate on activity based costing within the healthcare field. Activity based costing within a healthcare system As mentioned earlier, costing systems vary and use different variables when determining or analyzing monetary information. Activity based costing (also known as ABC) as defined by Gapenski (2012) identifies the different steps necessary to produce a good or service, approximates and totals the costs of those steps. It is an upstream approach and recognizes all cost drivers (steps, procedures) within the organization into creating that product or service (Gapenski, L.C., 2012). One might ask, well how can this system be significant to a healthcare facility? There are actually numerous activities that go on when a person decides to visit his/her physician or during emergency health situations. Let’s take an emergency situation for example. A football player receives a helmet to helmet hit, loses consciousness and has to be carted off the field. He is then taken by the ambulance to the nearest hospital w... ...is data can be signified as if the organization were to consider saving more money by reducing staff numbers, they would be able to do so without compromising quality. Conclusion As mentioned earlier, costing systems vary and consider different factors when evaluating financial information. It is vital for supervising personnel and leaders to consider which costing system would best suit the organization’s needs. The activity based method is an effective tool when used properly. But of course, all tools have their highs and lows. The ABC method can project a more accurate tale of the organization’s financial strengths and weaknesses. But keep in mind, it requires a significant amount of time and each cost driver is to be carefully considered. Regardless of the costing system used, proper analysis of financial data is crucial to the future of the organization.

The Great Gatsby Character Dev :: essays research papers

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a novel the narrator is the vehicle, the one telling the story to the reader. Laying out critical information, describing the setting, creating mood and atmosphere, and generating information upon which we create our opinions on characters and events in the novel. These are classically what we associate the narrator with regard to the novel and its progression. The characters that the author describes are the major focus of the novel. Characters change and develop over the course of the novel, if there were no kind of change in any of the characters the novel would be almost pointless. Stories need to have rounded characters, whether they change for the better of worse, if nothing happened the novel wouldn't be much to read and wouldn't leave the reader satisfied one way or another in the end. What is interesting is when the narrator takes on a different type of role in a novel. He is no longer used merely as a device to incorporate information; instead he play s an important and active part in the development of the plot. Traditionally the narrator is usually outside of the story, but in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carraway (the narrator) is much more than that. Nick in this novel is an active member of the story, being only second in importance to the main character Jay Gatsby. This novel takes a very different approach in its development of the characters. Having the narrator change more than any of the other characters, this thesis will explain Fitzgerald's unusual development of the characters and their greater significance through the novel. For although we would expect a certain, standard technique in telling a story, Fitzgerald uses a much different method. The first person to discuss is the main character of the story Jay Gatsby. A self made man, who amasses a great amount of wealth, he is a romantic idealist trapped in his own world. Though we would initially expect this character to have the most profound and recognizable change for no other reason than he is the main character, he doesn't. Not only does he not change but he in fact he is incapable of change. He cannot, because his life is dedicated to the fulfillment of a romantic dream. A dream so powerful he becomes blinded with this self-delusion that no matter what happens, what the turn of events, it will come true.