The Cost Of Health Care - 1480 Words

The cost of health explains almost half of the budgets of the state from financing the Medicaid program to providing health care for the employees of the state and other less qualified population like the prisoners (Vanderbeaux, 2014). In America, thousands upon thousands of decisions concerning health care are made by State legislatures every year (Vanderbeaux, 2014). Some of those decisions involve how best to provide appropriate care more efficiently, and deciding on what age group of patients needs to be immunized (Vanderbeaux, 2014). Other decisions include the ability to give license to health professionals, facilities, and the ability to accept or refuse the proposals that will help to keep the population healthy. The State legislatures have deliberated on at least three thousand bills of which more than five hundred of those bills have been approved and signed into law. In the year 2014 alone, almost one thousand two hundred bills have been deliberated on and so far two hundred and thirty five of those bills have been accepted and signed into law as of January 2015. Financing The Veterans health care bill with bill no - H.R 4810, was introduced by Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who is part of the senate and Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) who is the House of Veterans of America Committee chairmen (Vanderbeaux, 2014). The senate house approved this bill on July 31, 2014 (Vanderbeaux, 2014). The purpose of this bill is to enable veterans who once put their lives on the line to defendShow MoreRelatedThe Cost Of Health Care Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesThe Cost of Healthcare Introduction â€Å"The biggest problem with health care is not with insurance or politics. It is that we are measuring the wrong things the wrong way† (Kaplan Porter, 2011, p. 46). Total healthcare expenditures and expenditures as a percentage of GDP have been considerably higher in the U.S. Hospital care, physician and clinical services, and drug prescription expenditures have been the principal components contributing to growth in healthcare expenditures in the U.S. comparedRead MoreThe Cost Of Health Care899 Words   |  4 PagesHealth care cost is defined in three meanings. One is price which consist of physician’s bill, prescription bill, premiums. Second one is national perspective means how much a nation spends on health care that is health care expenditure and the last one is provider perspective which is cost of production. Reasons to control costs: †¢ Health care consumes a greater percent of the total economic output †¢ Resources are limited †¢ Other economic uses are curtailed †¢ Limited resources should be directedRead MoreThe Cost Of Health Care1291 Words   |  6 PagesThe Cost of Health Care The nation health care system is facing significant challenges that requiring immediate major reforms. Lately close attention is drawn to the uninsured Americans, such as the most painful dilemmas of health care system. The problem of uninsured and uncompensated care continues significantly contribute to the rise of the health care cost and has been a chief topic for public debates and political campaigns for a long time. The purpose of this paper is to describe the currentRead MoreThe Cost Of Health Care1378 Words   |  6 PagesWhen you think about health care cost and what was done in the past to help people who could not afford it to be able to get coverage now. Many people will not be able to afford to get the mandatory coverage and if they do, they will not be able to afford to see the physician or take the medication that they needed. Some of the plans worked and others helped for short periods. With other countries, finding ways to make it work for them and stakeholders m ore worried in the U.S.A. over their assetsRead MoreHealth Care Costs1190 Words   |  5 PagesHealth Care Costs Health care costs have become a major issue in the United States, both socially and politically. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 50.7 million people, or nearly one in six U.S. residents, were uninsured in 2009 (Kaiser Health News, 2010).This is because the high cost of health care has driven the cost of insurance out of the reach of many Americans. Contributing factors to the continuing increase in the cost of health care are the generally unhealthy lifestyle practiced byRead MoreThe Cost Of Health Care2167 Words   |  9 PagesTraditionally the American health care system relied heavily a repayment model referred to as fee-for-service which is described as a form of repayment that generates a greater emphasis on the volume of patients seen rather than healthy outcomes produced under a physician’s care. The fee-for-service repayment method poses multiple issues such as: duplicating services which in turn renders some of the services unnecessary, utilization of expensive technology because of the revenue generation ratherRead MoreThe Cost Of Health Care1829 Words   |  8 PagesHealth care costs currently exceed around twenty percent and continue to rise where other countries spend less of their funding on health care but have the same increasing trend. An aging population and the development of new treatments are caus e for some of the increase. Unrealistic incentives also contribute: third-party insurance companies and governments who reimburse for procedures performed rather than outcomes achieved, and patients bear little responsibility for the cost of the health careRead MoreRising Cost of Health Care1289 Words   |  6 PagesThe Rising Cost of Health Care: Effects on Access to Care The rising cost of health care is a trend that is negatively influencing access to health care. According to our course textbook, Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care, over 46 million Americans did not have health coverage in 2008, and 25 million American adults were underinsured (p. 124-125). For most people, this can be attributed to the high cost of premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. The purpose of this paper is to discussRead MoreEssay On Health Care Costs1333 Words   |  6 Pagesubiquitously known that US health care costs are ballooning, according to research hospital costs grew around 8 percent a year, on average, between 1978 and 2008. 8 percent might seem a small number but it was double the CPI (4 percent a year) which measures the overall price rises in the U.S. economy (Baumol, 6-7). Furthermore, 17% of United States’ GDP was spent on health care, this number exceeded every other country’s health care spending (Altman and Shactman, 235). T hese costs are attributed to aRead MoreEssay On Health Care Cost1270 Words   |  6 PagesThe everyday American is faced with the cost of health care which covers, treats, and prevents illness. Health care costs include and extend into vast areas such as; insurance, medication, procedures, co-pays, medical testing, and more. Currently, the United States is facing sky rocketing health costs, a decline in quality of services, and minimal access to quality and cost-efficient care. In the year 2015, the National Health Expenditure was roughly $3.2 trillion dollars, which equates to approximately

The Most Memorable Traits Of Edgar Allan Poe s Dreams

Alcoholic. Opiate-addict. Melancholic. These are the most memorable traits of Edgar Allan Poe’s life. Nevertheless, Poe is still a sensational author with today’s readers. In the forty years that he was alive, from 1809 to 1849, Poe was able to introduce a genre of macabre and mysterious writing otherwise unseen in Victorian literature. For example, Poe’s 1827 poem â€Å"Dreams,† published in his book â€Å"Tamerlane and Other Poems,† narrates the story of a figure who would rather dream their life away than reconcile reality’s grimness. As it is read, Poe’s â€Å"Dreams,† harnesses its narrator’s story to evoke feelings of sorrowful nostalgia, by combining a wallowing opening with a reminiscent middle and mournful ending. In the opening stanza of â€Å"Dreams,† Poe’s narrator begins the poem by dousing readers with details of their somber mood. As a result, readers immediately get an impression of sadness b efore they can finish the introduction. For example, in lines 1 through 3, it is written â€Å"Oh! that my young life were a lasting dream! My spirit not awakening, till the beam of an Eternity should bring the morrow,† (Poe 14). The boldness in these exclamations ultimately expresses that the protagonist is in exasperation. â€Å"How much exasperation?† one may ask. According to their revelation in line 3, it is discovered that they wish to remain in a dream until he dies (Poe, 14). Furthermore, Poe’s protagonist concedes that even if the given dream is sorrowful, then it would still be better

Alibaba Competing in China and Beyond Free Essays

Case: Alibaba Competing in China and Beyond Electric commerce (e-commerce) is the buying and selling of products or services over an electronic medium like the internet. The advantages of e-commerce are speedy transactions, less travel, low operational costs, ability to reach a large customer base, and round the clock buying and selling. Some of the disadvantages of e-commerce are the minimum amounts of customer to company interactions which leads to trust issues, e-commerce is prone to fraud and theft, and there is no guarantee on product quality. We will write a custom essay sample on Alibaba Competing in China and Beyond or any similar topic only for you Order Now In a market like China, it’s important to understand the local culture, values, the political government, and the language. The political government in China has a major impact on the Internet companies in China. It is important for e-commerce companies in China to understand how to successfully launch a Chinese language website or design a search engine that would suit the complex language. In order to gain an edge amongst their competitors, international companies must seek out local help to understand the local culture and values, the language, the consumers, and how to deal with the politics of the region. Alibaba, founded by Jack Ma, is a website which allows for buyers and sellers all over the globe to engage in electronic business transactions. Alibaba played a major role in bringing the Internet Revolution to China. Ma achieved this by allowing small and medium-size enterprises (SME) in China to benefit from cross border trade through his website. Alibaba made their money from the 21 million users who paid annual subscriptions. Alibaba established itself when the Chinese Internet industry was still in its infancy. This was the perfect opportunity for e-commerce companies because of the lack of competition. However, the competition that they did face were Global Sources and MeetChina, which were also launched in 1999. In order to gain a competitive advantage in the B2B market Alibaba did not charge fees for any transaction. That was a strategy that critics were skeptical about. However, Alibaba built a customer base that would end up to be unrivaled. What made Alibaba so successful was its ability to rapidly adapt to current market trends in China. In the dotcom bubble burst Alibaba reformulated their strategy to concentrating on improving its business in China rather than focusing on global markets, they moved the headquarters back from Shanghai to Hangzhou, and they would concentrate on the richest regions in China. Foreign companies saw opportunity in China’s expanding e-commerce market. One of those companies was US-based eBay Inc. , who entered China by acquiring stake in Shanghai’s EachNet. com for $30 million. Ma then launched Taobao to rival eBay in the Business to Consumer (B2C) and Consumer to Consumer (C2C) market. Again, Taobao employed the free concept strategy to attempt to build a consumer base by offering free listings on their website. Alibaba also developed a promotional strategy for Taobao in which they advertised through online ads and billboards. Taobao also had a unique feature where users can e-mail and chat with each other onsite unlike their eBay counterparts who concealed sellers identity and only offered communications through offline messaging. Taobao also addressed the trust factor during online transactions between buyers and sellers by developing AliPay, similar to Paypal. The first mistake that eBay Inc. made was that they based their business strategy on the US business model. What works well in one region will not work in others. Ma quoted â€Å"We knew that someday, eBay would come in our direction. † indicating that Alibaba had done their research and they were prepared for the arrival of any potential rivals. After cornering 79% of the market shares in China, eBay soon found itself in fierce competition with Alibaba when Alibaba made quick marketing adjustments. Bay ‘s other mistake was that they entered China assuming that they have a global product. What they failed to realize is that the Taobao product was designed for the local consumer while eBay’s product was more product based, meaning they are more concerned with how to get more consumers to use their product rather than does this product fit the consumers wants and needs. eBay declined to drop their auction fees and failed to improve consumer interaction on their webs ite to compete with Taobao. eBay should have focused more on the local strategies that other local business use. They could have done this if they were more consumer driven and aligned with the local environment. eBay should have went through the process of environmental scanning. They should have conducted an analysis of their current and potential competitors to find out what their goals and strategies are and what are their strengths and weaknesses. eBay’s lack of knowledge and ignorance of the local market left them unprepared for rapid change that local businesses employ. Foreign competitors fail to enter the Chinese market because they lack the nderstanding of the language, the culture, and they lack the ability to adapt rapidly to change. Foreign companies can address this issue by preparing a strategy for entry such as organize ways to enable fast communication and processes for quick business decision making. They should hire within the country to adopt the workers who have a understanding of the local culture and values. They should be prepared for change and learn to adapt wit h the local market trends and prepare a plan of action to react faster. How to cite Alibaba Competing in China and Beyond, Essay examples

Allport Trait Approach free essay sample

Trait Approach Trait approach to personality was a major theoretical study of human behaviour and characteristic (Kendra, n. d. ), it show that each person have a different dispositions of personalities. Trait approach to a person behaviour can be easily define when you get along with him or she for a certain time period or someone you know, example of trait such as kind-hearted, talkative and even tempered. Different kind of people have a set of different combination of trait, it consider unique when define a person.It used to identify and measure individual personality characteristic. Gordon Allport was the first psychologist who uses trait approach into personality. He found that trait was the most appropriate theory to describe personal behavioural. Allport had declared trait theory into three levels, which is cardinal trait, central trait and secondary trait. Cardinal trait use to reflect a person personality by his or her daily behavioural which can be observe, it was often match to which conduct people use to describe that person. We will write a custom essay sample on Allport Trait Approach or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Central trait was a general characteristic of a person; example was shy and silly which just a term to describe another person by his or her behaviour. Secondary trait was which characteristic may not know while first meet, because it appear just in certain time for a person behavioural. Example like impatient while waiting (Kendra, n. d. ). Define a person’s personality assessment was an importance process in getting know to him or her, by using Allport’s trait theory there may be advantages and disadvantages occur while evaluating a person.Allport trait theory was mainly comparison of people’s personalities; this was needed especially when promoting an employee to higher position in organisational structure. This theory was being used in personality’s assessment because everyone is unique, without comparison was very hard to evaluate a person’s characteristic. If you feel that a person is bad, with comparison to a worse person, you will feel that the person is actually good enough. Besides, Allport belief that motivation occur because of past experiences.Consider of past experiences into personality assessment will bring a more accurate evaluate. By this theory, it shows that pass experiences guide person behaviour into habitual. Example a person who late for work in his past employment, he may keep late to work in the organisation which is currently recruit. Allport’s trait theory show that personality assessment can be measure by both observation and experiment, it was efficiency to measure a person behaviour by observe him or her activities, because through daily activities, we will know his or her attitude toward jobs in the organisation.Out of observation, experiment can clearly show out a person’s personality assessment, because many aspect of personality do not surface before his or her interact with others, this definition was define by Allport and his older brother Floyd Allport, a social psychologies (Louise, 1999). Example a person who always doing well in his or her job, but once he receive a group work task, he may not work out as well as before because he did not interact with others members and may not achieve the goal, this situation will not appear if experiment not giving out. However, Allport’s trait theory may bring some weaknesses into personality assessment.Define a person behaviour by pass experience may not indeed that person’s personality. Example if a man who had been imprisoned was much difficult to get recruitment even he has change his attitude, other staff in that organisation may also not show confidence and trusted him. Moreover, by using comparison to evaluate personality assessment may not that accurate due to the person in comparison. If both who take into comparison was perfect, there must be one of them not that perfect as the other one, he or she may be consider as good instead of perfect under comparison.While on the other hand, if both who take into comparison are worse, one of them who is batter may consider good, but there was no necessary to find out who is batter because there must be others choices instead of both of them. In conclusion, Allport’s trait approach to personality assessment was useful for an organisation as well as other usage, to make sure that the theory was use in appropriate ways and you will found out that it bring a lot of benefit. Those three level of trait define by Allport was a component use to correct the sense by others while evaluating a person; it is suitable to define personality of people around us.

Marketing Case Study II Aqualisa Quartz Essay Example

Marketing Case Study II: Aqualisa Quartz Essay Marketing Case Study II: Aqualisa Quartz Introduction and Problem Statement Aqualisa, a premium British shower manufacturer, is experiencing teething problems with its new line of electronic mixed shower products – Quartz. Despite being hailed as â€Å"a breakthrough in shower technology† (Case p. 6), early sales were dismal. Plumbers, the main channel of Aqualisa’s products, have developed an ‘electronic phobia’ since the late 1980s when early electronic showers failed, hurting Quartz by association. Furthermore, the company is also concerned of cannibalization that could occur to Aqualisa’s existing products should Quartz become successful, especially to Aquavalve, Aqualisa’s current flagship. Alternatives and Analysis 1)Whether to target the plumbers 73% of consumer decision is derived from plumbers’ advice . Moreover, independent plumbers installed 54% of mixer showers in the U. K. shower market . Therefore, plumbers become an extremely vital channel of distribution for promoting Quartz as a mainstream brand. Despite their resistance to electric showers, most plumbers found the Quartz installation easy and timely. This paves the way to persuading plumbers to change their attitudes towards electric showers. 2)Whether to target the other channels of distribution Trade Shops: Quartz models accounted for the highest profit margin in dollar sales (Appendix 1), as trade shops could get at least â‚ ¬400 per unit of Quartz sold, vis-a-vis â‚ ¬335 from Aquavalve 609 (with the best margins). In view of this, it would be in the interests of the trade shops to adopt Quartz, forming a major selling point. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Case Study II: Aqualisa Quartz specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Case Study II: Aqualisa Quartz specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Case Study II: Aqualisa Quartz specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Developers: As property developers are price sensitive, cheaper shower models such as â€Å"Aquavalve Value† should be promoted to increase sales for Aqualisa. However, in the case of luxury builders, Quartz should be sold as a premium product, which is aesthetically-pleasing and promises to deliver high performance at the same time. D. I. Y: With 84% of the D. I. Y market segment purchasing low-cost electric showers, it can be seen that the D. I. Y sheds tend to attract value shoppers. Consumers would be confused if Aqualisa’s premium product enters he D. I. Y market and they will perceive Quartz to be mass market and of low quality. Hence Quartz should be excluded from the D. I. Y. market. Direct consumer: Although only 27% of installations are made independent of plumbers’ advice, Aqualisa must not neglect the fact that an advertising campaign is necessary to create market awareness and interest for a new product in the market. The advertisement on Exhibit 9 might not be able to achieve the intended results as it is too focused on the technical specifications of Quartz. )Issue of cannibalization Based on the BCG Growth-Share Matrix definition, Aquavalve is arguably Aqualisa’s cash cow. As Quartz’s superiority becomes apparent, Aquavalve could be at risk of being relegated to a dog’s position. However, this fundamental shift is a necessary evil, especially in the light of competition – take the chance of losing a cash cow (Aquavalve) in exchange of a question mark (Quartz) becoming a star, rather than lose the cash cow to a competitor’s new-born star (Appendix 4). Recommendations and Conclusion The objective for Quartz is to create product awareness and customer experience while generating sales momentum without affecting Aqualisa’s brand image. Aqualisa should eventually target an additional 20,000 unit sales for the fiscal year of 2001. In order to achieve this objective, the current marketing channels should be limited to showrooms and tradeshops (plumbers), leaving DIY shops out. In redressing the communication issues, the Objective-and-Task Method should be adopted to determine the promotion budget. The tasks are separated into the two-pronged ‘push’ and ‘pull’ strategies, estimated to cost â‚ ¬2-4million in total, which can be covered by additional Quartz sales of ~6,500 ~13,000 units per year (Appendix 2). As part of the ‘push’ strategy (Appendix 5), the primary purchase decision makers plumbers should be the primary focus of Quartz’s marketing efforts. On an additional budget of â‚ ¬1-2million, the plumbers ought to be enticed by the following: 1. Intensify the ‘ease of installation’ selling point by distributing Quartz installation guides to our plumber accounts; Emphasize ‘highest dollar margin’ selling point to our trade shops, forming an effective ‘push’ to plumbers (their customers). 2. Giving discounts for the first ten Quartz systems installed, allowing plumbers to absorb a bigger commission which encourages product handling. 3. Establishing a redemption program that rewards plumbers who promote and install a certain number of Quartz systems successfully, thereby encouraging diffusion of Quartz innovativeness into the mainstream market. Providing a 3 year warranty, which not only instills consumer confidence, but gives plumbers the incentive to install Quartz since any cost incurred for second visitations would be reimbursed by Aqualisa. For the ‘pull’ efforts (Appendix 5), Aqualisa should take on an advertising campaign targeting consumers within a â‚ ¬1-2million budget to boost their buyer readiness stage towards the level of ‘liking’, so as to induce more plumbers to try Quartz on their customers’ prompting. With reference to Exhibit 9, advertisements should not be centered on the functionality of Quartz, but on the intangible benefits such as the ease of use and safety, i. e. the â€Å"perfect shower experience†. The value proposition of Quartz to consumers is precise temperature control, steady output, and the ease of use. Aqualisa should continue to skim the early adopters’ market with Quartz’s premium price, while lengthening Aquavalve’s Cash Cow status. Once this premium market segment is satisfied, Aqualisa should consider introducing Quartz technology into Gainsborough to capture the middle-income market segment. In conclusion, Quartz ‘breakthrough’ status could herald in a new age for Aqualisa. Despite the real risks that could affect the firm’s existing products, Aqualisa should capitalize on its first-mover advantage to secure a dominant position in the evolving shower industry, alongside its existing products via a hybrid marketing system (Appendix 6), contributing to its future survival and success.

UMSL, University of Missouri St. Louis Admissions Data

UMSL, University of Missouri St. Louis Admissions Data UMSL Description: UMSL, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, is a regional public university and the largest university in the St. Louis region. The 350-acre campus has ready access to public transportation and area restaurants, museums and sporting events. The school was founded in 1960, and continued to expand throughout the 1970s. About 80% of UMSL students come from greater St. Louis region. Students can choose from 54 bachelors degree programs; professional fields in business, education, nursing and criminal justice are among the most popular with undergraduates. Classes are supported by a 17 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and about 70% of classes have fewer than 30 students. Outside of the classroom, students can join a number of clubs and activities, ranging from academic clubs, to recreational sports, to performing arts ensembles. On the athletic front, the UMSL Tritons compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. The university fields five mens and six womens intercollegiate sports. Popular sports include soccer, tennis, golf, basketball, and volleyball. Admissions Data (2016): University of Missouri Acceptance Rate: 71%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 470  / 520SAT Math: 470 / 560SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 21  / 27ACT English: 21 / 27ACT Math: 19 / 26What these ACT numbers mean Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 16,989  (13,898 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 43% Male / 57% Female39% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $9,394 (in-state); $24,525 (out-of-state)Books: $1,000 (why so much?)Room and Board: $10,032Other Expenses: $3,038Total Cost: $23,464  (in-state); $38,595 (out-of-state) UMSL Financial Aid (2015  - 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 93%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 90%Loans: 50%Average Amount of AidGrants: $12,546Loans: $5,804 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Accounting, Business, Communication, Criminology, Elementary Education, Nursing, Psychology Retention and Graduation Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 79%4-Year Graduation Rate: 29%6-Year Graduation Rate: 53% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Golf, BaseballWomens Sports:  Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, Golf, Basketball Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like UMSL, You May Also Like These Schools: University of Missouri: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTruman State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWebster University: Profile  Saint Louis University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphLindenwood University: Profile  SIU Edwardsville: Profile  Lincoln University: Profile  University of Kansas: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWashington University in St Louis: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphRockhurst University: Profile  University of Arkansas: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMissouri State University: Profile   UMSL Mission Statement: mission statement from umsl.edu/services/academic/strategic-plan/vision-mission.html The University of Missouri-St. Louis provides excellent learning experiences and leadership opportunities for a diverse student body. Outstanding faculty and staff, innovative research, and creative partnerships foster synergies that advance the welfare of our stakeholders and benefit the global society.

Environment and Economic Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Environment and Economic Geography - Essay Example In the twenty first-century most of the national and international issues are governed by environmental challenges which require thorough understanding of the economics of environment. This century will be an era of many losses, remarkable changes and cosmologic differences, but it is conceivable that societies will successfully make the transition from goals of economic growth, as already experienced in the twentieth century, to the goals of maintaining and increasing suitable well being. The influence of the environment on economic geography was found neglected and remained untouched until Paul Krugman re-established the field by publishing his short monograph " Geography and Trade" in 1991. He showed how mathematical tools known from modern models of international trade theory can be used to explain the distribution of economic activity in geographical space. Aspects of environment on which we depend (most often soil, water and atmosphere) become damaged, polluted (poisoned) and depleted. Modern intensive agriculture changes the composition and ecology of soil and water systems, as well as affecting nitrogen and carbon cycle in the environment. The changing environmental phenomenon creates new vistas for developmental and constructive mechanisms on one side and restricts the human economic activity on another. Thereby the environmental carrying capacity is being influenced. The changes in the environmental parameters may be either beneficial or detrimental to the present and future ecological world and economic scenario, which can very well be categorized in two distinct forms. The planet earth which is unique for presence of life in our solar system is directly and indirectly getting influenced by the supremacy of the most evolutionary-creature called "Man" i.e. Homo sapiens and the equlibria that had existed since inception, are now getting imbalanced due to exploitative activities of human beings. Unrestricted use of fossil fuels, injudicious application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, rampant deforestation, rapid industrialization, ever growing global population and radioactive warfare have many reasons for changing the wave length of this living earth from green to red in the visual spectrum. a) Carbon Dioxide Concentration and Global worming: The concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing at geometric progression primarily because of the dependency on the non-renewable form of bio-fuels as more than 80 percent of the global energy demand is met from this source and secondarily due to the exhalation of the animal kingdom. The effect of which is remarkable from the increase in the mean global temperature, which we designated as global worming. The increase in carbon dioxide concentration in one hand will definitely help in better photosynthesis resulting in increased assimilation but in other hand, increased concentration leads to acid rains, which restrict crop growth and severely affect the final yield. Instances of total extinction of established forests have also been observed due to acid rain. The emission of sulphur dioxide has also increased alarmingly in industrialized nations and particularly in North America and Europe. The result of which

Future of more energy efficient planes Research Paper

Future of more energy efficient planes - Research Paper Example (Coogan 41) The robust demand for commercial and air transport drives the current intensive research and development of energy efficient planes. As a matter of fact, the modern aircraft today has decreased in energy consumption significantly compared to old planes. According to Ngo and Natowtiz, with occupancy rates on the order of 70-80% the fuel consumption of recently built planes is on the order of 5L/100 km per passenger and that this means flying over a given distance as about the same in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions per passenger as driving the same distance with a car. (333) It must be underscored that technological innovations in the history of mankind, especially in the area of transportations, has been less energy efficient than the technology it replaced. In this regard, the use of supersonic air transport could reverse the trend for air transport. The engine of these supersonic jets are expected to beat all other current aircrafts in the area of energy efficiency because its technological designs optimize such items as fuel/air mixture, engine temperature and airflow velocities. (Siuru 155) A future supersonic transport could travel at speeds of Mach 2.7, making a trip from Los Angeles to Tokyo in a little over three hours. (Siuru 155) Some market projections anticipate a fleet of some 300 to 1,200 commercial supersonic jets in service in the next 10-30 years. Another interesting area in the supersonic jet technology, which makes it the most energy efficient aircraft of the future, is the so-called oblique-wing airliner concept. It supposedly eliminates the conventional fuselage by having passengers ride inside the wing. Siuru pointed to the computations that show how an oblique-wing airliner could fly at Mach 1.6, twice the speed of the Boeing 747, while consuming no more than a subsonic jumbo jet. Here, the level of fuel efficiency is achieved through the oblique wing’s very high lift-to-drag ratio and, subsequently,

Science and Technology Education for young child Assignment

Science and Technology Education for young child - Assignment Example From a constructivism point of view, it has been discussed that humans acquire understanding through collaborations not just in ideas but also with experiences. This view point is combined with Bloom’s taxonomy of learning which was published during the 1950s which was way outdated compared to technology that is being used in lately in academes. This theory is composed of three domains; 1) cognitive or knowledge, 2) affective or attitude, and 3) psychomotor or skills (Anderson, et al, 2011). This type of teaching has 3 major objectives. The first of which is increasing the involvement of students. Multiple ways of knowing constitute the 2nd major objective while the 3rd aim of inquiry-based teaching is sequential phase of cognition. The inquiry-based teaching is actually a form of inviting students to an active way of learning instead of just being pacified with information (Franklin). Science and technology is not an easy subject to explain in early childhood education. Teachers should be able to get the grasp first of what is need to be taught before actually structuring it to the most basic as it can get for these children to understand. The educators would be faced in a challenge in explaining a sometimes complex subject to children who have so many questions based on what have been observed or explained at their own households. Letting a child to experiment and explore things would be a better way of teaching children of this age bracket the concepts without them having doubts on the educator’s credibility. This is done by observing. As it has been prior known that children tends more to believe what have been seen, if a certain thing or scientific event has been observed by the child, it would be more believable onto them what is being explained by teachers. Though questions may still arise, there is a visible proof that the children can see and get the grasp of the concept which is being taught (Harland & Rivkin, 2004). The

Overview Of The Economic Growth Of Poland Economics Essay

Overview Of The Economic Growth Of Poland Economics Essay Polands economy looked bleak during the 1980s. Few would consider Poland as a business hub due to its low economic growth and soaring inflation rate (Nuti, 1986). Fast-forward to the 21st century, Polands economy has changed tremendously. It is not just the only European country to survive the current recession but it is still experiencing rapid growth  [1]  . What could have possibly instigated Polands this drastic change in the time span of only 2 decades? This essay will use the PESTLE  [2]  analysis to understand the positive force that initiated the economic growth and also examine the causes that might hinder Polands future economic growth. Porters Diamond will be used for the critical evaluation and support of the PESTLE analysis. Political Reform The fall of communism in 1989 had led to vast improvements in Polands economy. One might disagree with that because the event took place over 20 years ago, however, the effect of political change does not happen overnight and there would be a time lag involved (Gillespie, 1999). The most significant change after the fall of communism is in stabilising the country. Poland is the 29th politically most stable country with the index score of 4.5 (Economic Intelligence Unit, 2009). This provides a sense of security for investment and business, for example, if Poland is in an unstable situation akin to the current Libyan crisis, people would avoid investing in the country. In contrast to a communist state, a democratic country allows the voice of people to be heard, and their opinions and views to be realised. Citizens in democratic countries tend to have greater respect for the leaders they chose for themselves compared to otherwise. For example, in a company, a bottom-up leadership has a better effect than a top-down leadership because workers would respect the leader and this allows employees to bring out best of their skill set and experience. Similar principle applies for macroeconomic levels. Additionally, a democratic country is highly likely to prosper due to reduced frictional social interactions among citizens (Kariel, 1956). Furthermore, the Polish government has developed a radical program known as the Shock Therapy to curb hyper inflation. Poland was once ruled under a planned economy system. Shock Therapy is a transition from a planned economy system to market economy. It is a sudden release of price, followed by the removal of subsidies and large scale privatisations of previously publicly owned companies (Murell, 1993). This program has both short and long term effects. The planned economy provided employment to almost every citizen but with inflation rates of around 600% (Cottarelli Szapà ¡ry, 1998), low wages and severe shortages of basic necessities. This Shock Therapy suppressed the hyperinflation and stopped the food shortage (Haggard Webb, 1996). However, all these problems are only short term problems. The ideal result lies in the long term measure. One of the key reasons of why Poland economy growth has been so steady in the past few years was because of its market economy (Kornai, 2000). This has provided opportunities for small service firms to contribute to Polands economy (Nunnally, 2010), which was unachievable during the communist era. Market economies encourage international business because the barriers to entry are lowered increasing the opportunity for success and lowering sunk costs. Poland also has excellent relations with foreign countries allowing it to benefit from several advantages such as enjoying tax free zones within the EU since joining it in May 2004 (Papazoglou, Pentecost, Marques, 2006). This is important because imported goods within Europe are cheaper, hence lowering production costs. Another vital factor of entering the EU is curbing the high unemployment rate. Since adopting the free market policy, Poland has high unemployment rates  [3]  . By joining the EU, Polands unemployed workforce is able to look for jobs outside Poland. Lowering unemployment rates is crucial in reducing social problems and creating a better environment for investors. Economic Advantages In addition to political factors, economic factors have also enhanced economic growth. The first step was implementing a floating exchange to curb hyperinflation (Sachs, 1996) which, in addition, helped Poland to survive the current economic crisis by facilitating economic adjustments. During the economic crisis, the Zloty depreciated against the Euro and Sterling. This meant Polish goods were more competitive than European goods both at home and abroad. One might think that there are so many countries with lower exchange rates, so why would investors invest in Poland? The answer lies in the nature of its currency- Zloty is very stable as a currency  [4]  , it only oscillates within a certain range. This is very important for a business because cost of production would not fluctuate and there would be less uncertainty. Investors tend to avoid the risks arising from uncertainty and the Zloty provides a sense of security to businessmen and investors. In planning to adopt the euro i n 2015 (Dnevnik.bg, 2010), Poland will be forgoing the competitive advantage of its currency. To evaluate, this is a good option as the global economy grows as the Euro will provide more advantages (Gulde, Kahkonen, Keller, 2000). Many things have changed since the transitional period of Poland. Polish people have become richer over the years and Poland is one of the richest nations, second only to the Czechs in the Central Europe (Credit Suisse, 2010). Also, an average Polish is three times richer than an average Russian (Jedrzej, 2010). Their wealth leads to strong domestic consumption within Poland  [5]  which led to strong economic growth especially during the recession. Export based countries, such as Singapore, suffered greatly during the recession. The impact of the recession is less in the case of Poland because the domestic market within Poland is large and accounts for more than half of Polands market. Although it is hard to believe, the initial high unemployment rate also boosted economic growth. Polish people are highly educated with 99% of their citizens being educated (TradingEconomics, 2009). Skilled and educated workers tend to be more expensive. However, due to the high unemployment rates, labour costs in Poland are comparatively lower than other countries, such as Germany. This is a strong selling point for investors abroad. These investments are crucial because it has reduced unemployment rates and increased economic activity in Poland, subsequently enhancing economic growth. FDI has increased steadily since 1995 with the exception of 2008 and 2009 due to global economic crisis (United Nation Conference of Trade and Development, 2010). It has boosted economic activities greatly. Other than a cheap but skilled labour force, Special Economic Zones established by the Polish government has also attracted foreign investors. At present, there are 14 Special Economic Zone in Poland (KPMG, 2009). Different areas have different geographical landscapes allowing wide-ranges of businesses to be set up. These areas provide opportunities for tax exemption. The amount of tax exempted will depend on the size of the investment (Nam, 2004). The Special Economic Zones have attracted investors from all over the world, in particular investors from the EU as the benefits are greatly to their advantage to invest. The regulations are more flexible and they share the same benefits as Polish firms. These, combined with the stability exchange rate of Zloty, have attracted FDI from the EU as all investors stand an equal chance. Porters Factor Conditions Although Poland has enjoyed steady economic growth in recent years, there are still a few factors hindering their growth, for example, having poor transportation systems. Having good infrastructures enables a country to fully utilise their resources efficiently and effectively boosting the economy. Therefore for Poland to improve on their economic growth, they must improve on their infrastructure. In my opinion, the infrastructure would not be a concern because Euro 2012 will be held by Poland and funds had been provided by the EU as an aid to improve on their infrastructure (Szafranko, 2010). Evaluation As previously mentioned, political stability is key to economic growth but there are factors that unsettle Polands stability such as corruption  [6]  . This is a significant disadvantage, for instant, if the government invested in a  £10million project but due to corruption, only  £2 million is injected, the project would either be substandard or incomplete due to the amount of money lost. Furthermore, safety will also be a key concern due to the substandard undertakings. With this kind of uncertainties, investors will have their doubts when investing in the country. However, Poland has taken several measures to reduce corruption, and with more effort, corruption can be reduced. Besides that, the countrys high unemployment rate can also be a concern for the country  [7]  . While it is true that the high unemployment rate saved Poland during the recession, it cannot be a long term plan for the country. A high rate of unemployment would cause stress within the country and crime rate would increase causing instability. Furthermore, it would also prevent the country for optimising their resources. Despite the current high unemployment, recent reports show that the unemployment rate is steadily decreasing over the years  [8]  . Conclusion In conclusion, there are many factors driving Polands economic growth such as political stability and stable exchange rates. Polands external competitiveness has been tested by the rise of the BRIC, notably China. There are numerous reasons why Poland has been able to attract large volumes of FDI, one of which is the Special Economic Zones with tax exemptions lowering business costs. Sound macroeconomic policies have sharpened Polands competitive edge and positioned it well to seize opportunities from joining the EU, therefore attracting more FDI leading to further growth. The main difficulty Poland now faces is corruptions. However, the extent to which this has affected Polands economic growth is hard to determine but the pull factors of economic growth outweighs this problem. There is also room for supplementary improvement to further boost the economy especially the developments of infrastructures. Nonetheless, the growth for Poland is sure to progress with the adoption of Euro an d Euro 2012. Critical Reflection The PESTLE analysis allows clear insight of the country in the macroeconomic level. The political and economic aspects of the PESTLE provide a clear framework on how it affects the economical growth and the extent of the influence. However, the usage of PESTLE is limited to the present and does not give a wider picture of the future such as Poland is planning to adopt Euro in 2015. Under some circumstances, analysing the PESTLE is insufficient in certain aspects such as the infrastructure in Poland. Nevertheless, the Porters Diamond Factor Conditions are used to complement the weaknesses of this issue. However, both models fail to address one major factor, the regulatory factor given in the STEER  [9]  analysis which is important given the recent financial crisis. Furthermore, in my opinion, safety of a country is important as well. Safety is indispensable because it provides certainty for foreign investors. Although the PESTLE analysis is widely used and it provides information on various factors, I think a new model that incorporates more factors should be introduced. There are many factors driving Polands economic growth, however, the level of contribution of each factor is uncertain. One might wonder how Hungary suffered from a different fate from Poland despite both having floating exchange rates. In my opinion, it is not just the floating exchange, but the different factors that complement each other that exist only within Poland to have boosted Polands economic growth. Lastly, research was made based on recent statistics for data accuracy. However, sources from research using resources that date back to 20 years were also used. The results are important because this data provides an insight to the initiation of Polands economic growth after the downfall of communism. Some resources are subject to biased views, making it impossible to obtain a perfectly accurate reasoning. Mixed responses can be seen regarding the countrys progress. According to local Polish people in the university, it is said that Polands economy is not very promising. However, according to other reports, the results say otherwise. In my opinion, Polands progress is very promising but the government should provide more social benefits to the local Polish to prevent outward migration which may lead to brain drain. Bibliography Business Monitor International. (2011). Poland Infrastrucuture Report Q1. Warsaw: Business Monitor International. Cottarelli, C., Szapà ¡ry, G. (1998). Moderate inflation: the experience of transition economies. Hungary: International Monetary Fund. Credit Suisse. (2010). Poles getting rich quickà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Warsaw: Global Wealth Report. Dnevnik.bg. (2010). Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic to adopt euro in 2015 analysts. Sofiaecho , 50. E, P. M. (1990). The Competitve Advantage of Nations. Harvard Business Review , 73-93. Economic Intelligence Unit. (19 March, 2009). Viewsfire. Retrieved 2011 April, 4, from Viewsfire: http://viewswire.eiu.com/site_info.asp?info_name=social_unrest_tablepage=noadsrf=0 Eurostat. (6 April, 2011). Poland Unemployment Rate. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from Eurostat: http://sdw.ecb.europa.eu/quickview.do?SERIES_KEY=132.STS.M.PL.S.UNEH.RTT000.4.000 Eurostat. (6 April, 2011). Real GDP Growth Rate. Retrieved 7 Aptril, 2011, from Eurostat: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=tableinit=1plugin=1language=enpcode=tsieb020 Gillespie, P. (1999). Too early to say if 1989 was a liberation or a revolution. World News , 16. Gulde, A.-M., Kahkonen, J., Keller, P. (2000). Pros and cons of currency board arrangements in the lead-up to EU accession and participation in the Euro zone. International Economic Review , 173. Haggard, S., Webb, S. B. (1996). Voting for reform: democracy, political liberalization, and economic adjustment. New York: Oxford University Press. Jedrzej, B. (13 October, 2010). Poles are at the forefront of nations increasingly rich. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from Gelda Waluty Finanse, FT: http://forsal.pl/artykuly/458053,polacy_sa_w_swiatowej_czolowce_bogacacych_sie_narodow.html Kariel, H. S. (1956). Democracy Unlimited: Lewins Field Theory. The American Journal of Sociology , 280-289. Kornai, J. (2000). Ten Years After The Road to a Free Economy: The Authors Self-Evaluation . SSRN , 29. KPMG. (2009). A Special Economic Zone in Poland. Warsaw: Invest in Poland. Laposte. (4 January, 2010). Polands Consumptio. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from Laposte. McKEEVER INSTITUTE of ECONOMIC POLICY ANALYSIS. (December, 2004). POLAND: Economic Policy Analysis. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from McKEEVER INSTITUTE of ECONOMIC POLICY ANALYSIS: http://www.mkeever.com/poland.html Murell, P. (1993). What is shock therapy? What did it do in Poland and Russia? Post-Soviet Affairs , 111-137. Nam, C. W. (2004). Types of Tax Concessions for Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Free Economic Zones. Munich: Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research. National Bank of Poland. (7 April, 2011). Exchange Rate Archive. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from National Bank of Poland: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=tableinit=1plugin=1language=enpcode=tsieb020 Nunnally, S. (2010). Economic Growth And Low Labor Costs Make For Attractive Investments. Articlesnatch , 1. Nuti. (1986). Hidden and Repressed Inflation in Soviet Economies:Definition, Measurements and Stabilisation . Contributions to Political Econo , 37-82. Papazoglou, C., Pentecost, E. J., Marques, H. (2006). A Gravity Model Forecast of the Potential Trade Effects of EU Enlargement: Lessons from 2004 and Path-dependency in Integration. The World Economy , 1077-1089. Sachs, J. D. (1996). Economic transition and the exchange-rate regime. The American Economic Review , 147. Szafranko, E. (2010). Evaluation of a Possible Development of the Transportation Network in Poland Supported by the EU Funds. Olsztyn Economic Journal , 357-379. TradingEconomics. (2009). Literacy rate; youth total (% of people ages 15-24) in Poland. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from Trading Economics: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/poland/literacy-rate-youth-total-percent-of-people-ages-15-24-wb-data.html United Nation Conference of Trade and Development. (22 July , 2010). World Investment Report 2010. Retrieved 7 April, 2011, from Invest in Poland: http://www.paiz.gov.pl/files/?id_plik=13224 Appendix Appendix 1 Polands economic growth has been steady with the exception of the economic crisis in 2008. Source: Adapted from (Eurostat, 2011) Appendix 2 PESTLE Analysis In this essay, I utilised the Political and Economical factors in the PESTLE analysis. The PESTLE analysis provided me a clear framework to facilitate my research on the essay. Appendix 3 Polands have high unemployment rate. However, over the last few years, unemployment has been decreasing steadily. C:UsersNicoDesktopunemplo.png Source: Adapted from (Eurostat, 2011) Appendix 4 The Polish currency, Zlotych had depreciates against the Euro from 2008 to 2009 which caused the Polish currency to be more competitive in the market. Low currency value reduces the cost of borrowing hence it attracts investors to invest more in the country. Furthermore, the exchange rate is very stable, making it a reliable currency. Source: Adapted from (National Bank of Poland, 2011) Appendix 5 Polands domestic consumption is much bigger than the export. The high domestic consumption is one of the reasons that allowed Poland to enjoy a positive GDP despite the current economic crisis. Source: Adapted from (Laposte, 2010) Appendix 6 Polands is generally stable politically with the exception of corruptions. Source: Adapted from (McKEEVER INSTITUTE of ECONOMIC POLICY ANALYSIS, 2004) Appendix 7 Porters Diamond Factors Condition The Porters Diamond factors condition analyses nations position in factors of production (E, 1990). From there, the key opportunity and threats can be highlighted clearly. In this case, the infrastructure is examined because it is the weak link in Polands economic growth. However, Poland infrastructure has been growing steadily (Business Monitor International, 2011). Appendix 8 STEER Analysis The STEER analysis is the updated version of the PESTLE framework. The main factor that differentiates STEER from PESTLE is the regulatory factor.

How to Write an Essay :: Process Essays

Process Essay - How to Write an Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Writing a college essay can be a very difficult task. However, there are techniques to help make this task easier. The writing process is a three stage approach to planning and creating a college essay. These stages are known as prewriting, writing, and revising. If a student follows this process, she will write a good paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first stage of the writing process is called prewriting. There are five prewriting techniques that help writers to understand the topic and purpose of the writing assignment and limit the topic to a manageable and appropriate idea. The techniques are brainstorming, freewriting, diagramming, making a list, and preparing an outline. In brainstorming, you generate ideas for you writing. A writer might view a film and discuss or write their impressions, write a list of ideas for an essay, or discuss a topic with a group of students. You might ask yourself some questions such as What? Why? When? Where? How? and Who? In freewriting, you write non-stop about a subject for a certain amount of time. Spelling or punctuation, mistakes, and finding exact words do not matter. It helps you to get a clearer picture of what you are trying you say. Diagramming is helpful for people who think in a visual way. You can put your idea in a circle or block and branch off examples or other ideas pertaining to it. The fourth technique is making a list. You list as many items you can that has a relation to your topic. Your goal is to make details and to gather as much material as possible so you have something to start with when you go to write your paper. The last technique is preparing an outline. The thesis statement is clearly stated on the outline and a specific outline format is followed. Outlining gives you a sense of organization and allows you to see quickly if you have enough support for your ideas. After the writer is done prewriting, she moves on to the next step.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second stage for the writing process is called writing. In the writing phase, you make decisions about developing and organizing your ideas into writing and discover what you know about the subject. Insights gained from the prewriting phase help shape ideas into meaning for yourself and others. The writer may prepare a rough draft, focusing on the purpose of the writing and choosing a suitable form for a specific audience. You need a thesis to work with first. The thesis will be your guide while you write your essay.

Psychology and Impact Personality Development

1. Define personality. 2. Analyze how biological, situational and mental processes impact personality development. 3. Discuss social and cultural contributions to personality development. 4. Describe the major dispositional theories of personality. 5. Describe the major process theories of personality. 6. Evaluate the major personality theories. 7. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used personality assessment techniques, validity, reliability. Define personality. Personality Is a unique and relatively stable ways in which people think, feel and behave * Is shaped by biological, situational, and mental processes in a sociocultural and development context * Impacts people’s cognition, motivation and behaviour Analyze how biological, situational and mental processes impact personality development. Biological * A person’s temperament results from 4 humours (ancient theory) * Blood from heart – sanguine cheerful * Choler from liver- choleric angry * Mel ancholer from spleen – melancholy depressed * Phlegm from brain- phlegmatic sluggish Frontal lobes regulates one’s basic disposition * Individual differences in temperament arise from balance of neurotransmitters * Adrenal gland, thyroid gland, pituitary gland and endocrine gland affect personality. * Kagan’s research on inherited basis of shyness on new borns * Excitable and inhibited infants became shy and introverted * Less excitable and bold infants became extraverted * â€Å"push of nature in different directions† Situational * Environment affects us through operant and classical conditioning * (1) Physical Environment It includes the influence of climatic conditions of a particular area or country on man and his living. * (2) Social Environment * The child has his birth in the society. He learns and lives there. Hence, the social environment has an important say in the personality development of the child. * E. g. one would play with an outgoing chi ld more than an inhibited one pushes inhibited child towards shyness * (3) Family Environment * Child comes in contact with his parents and other family member. His likes, dislikes, stereotypes about people, expectancies of security and emotional responses all are shaped in early childhood. The type of training and early childhood experiences play an important role in the development of personality. * Besides this, economic factors i. e. , economic condition of the family and the type of relations between the parents also influence the personality of the child. * (4) Cultural Environment * Individualism in westerners vs collectivism in Africa caused by environment * Striking difference in the universal trait of shyness caused by how each culture dealt with the child’s success and failures. Who gets credit for good grades, gets blamed for not getting them? Childcautious, low risk taker * (5) School Environment * In the school, the teacher substitutes the parents. * The school poses new problems to be solved, new taboos to be accepted into the superego and new models for imitation and identification Mental Processes * 3 kinds of process theories: * Psychodynamic/ psychoanalysis- * motivation, especially unconscious motives and the influence of past experiences on out mental health * Humanistic- consciousness and our present, subjective reality: what we think is ipt now and how we think of ourselves in relation to others * Cognitive- * Influence of learning, perception and social interaction on behaviour Describe the major dispositional theories of personality. Dispositional theories suggest temperaments, traits or types (set of personality characteristics) provide consistency to individual’s personality over time. Temperament * Biologically based personality dispositions * Apparent in early childhood, Establish foundation of personality & individual’s approach to life * Inherited temperament may set the range of your response to some life si tuation but it does not fully determine your life experiences * Affected also by family position, experiences, and sense of self * Usually refers to dominant long standing themes eg shyness/moodiness * Role of frontal lobes in regulating one’s basic disposition * Individual differences in temperament arise from balance of neurotransmitters * Influenced by learning * Heredity and environment interact with initially inherited characteristics becoming amplified * E. . one would play with an outgoing child more than an inhibited one pushes inhibited child towards shyness * E. g. observational learning Traits * Emerge from temperaments and influenced by experiences * Guides thoughts and actions under various conditions * Relatively stable * BIG 5 Traits * Openness to experience, Conscientious, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism * Has validity across cultures (but most of these studies utilized university students as respondents who are more influenced by European-American vi ews * Quite accurate Labels a person but gives no explanation on why Evaluation of Trait Theories XPortrayed personality as fixed and static rather than a process that can undergo development changes depending on experiences Xoversimplified our complex nature XDo not tell much about their source or how traits interacts X SELF-FULFILLING prophecy where ppl become influenced by the labels and it became hard for them to change the undesirable behaviour. E. g. a child labelled shy will have to struggle w both the label and the traits * Gives us ability to predict behaviour Assessing traits * Using: * MMPI-2 for clinical traits base on mental problems * Not possible to fake due to lie scales * Must be used w care in non-Western countries/ minorities cos not well represented in the samples used in developing the test * NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI) base on big 5 * Both have excellent reliability (consistent and stable scores) * Both have good validity (measure what they were designed to measure eg signs of mental disturbance) * Barnum effects: tendency for people to accept very general or vague characterizations of themselves and take them to be accurate * descriptions can well apply to others * reliability and validity are important attributes of good psychological tests * Finding personality type * Category that represents a common cluster of personality characteristics * MBTI – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator * Not reliable, not valid * Ppl don’t fall into different types but more along the introversion-extraversion continuum Describe the major process theories of personality.While each of the process theories sees different forces at work in personality, all portray personality as a result of internal mental processes and social interactions. Psychodynamic theories 1. Sigmund Freud psychodynamic approach * focus is on influence of unconscious forces (psychic determinism) difficult to prove * Personality is a function of 3 main themes: unconscious forces, childhood experiences, sex * Not scientific, hindsight bias ( overemphasis on childhood ), unconscious mind is not that malign and turbulent * Structure of personality Id * Unconscious reservoir * contains basic motives, drives and instinctive desires * pushes for immediate gratification * Ego * Governed by reality principle * Decision making component * Mediator btw Id and reality * Superego * Governed by morality and social standards (conscience) * An individual’s view of the kind of person he or she should strive to become * Psychosexual stages * Ego defence mechanism- largely unconscious mental strategy employed to reduce the experience of conflict or anxiety * Denial – I don’t have a problem Rationalization- I cheat because everyone does it – give socially accepted reasons for actions one think is socially unacceptable * Reaction formulation – goodie goodie act in opposite of their desire- act exactly in opposition to their unconscious desires * Displacement- kick the dog- shifting your reaction from real source of distress to a safer individual or object * Regression- cry, throw things to reduce stress- regress to earlier developmental stage * Sublimation- channel negative to positive eg sexual desires to creativity on art * Projection- attribute own unconscious desires/fears to others * Led to projective testing 2. Adler Struggle with sexual and hostile impulses not primary factor in personality development * Primary struggle: overcome inferiority feelings, develop superiority feelings in social relationships (later seen as unhealthy due to overcompensation) * Outgrow childhood inferiority, become competent adult * All born with positive motive, social interest * People’s lives governed by their goals 3. Karen Horney * Freud overemphasized sexual conflicts, penis envy, and criticized his views of women * When basic anxiety gets out of control, people become neurotic (basic desires taken to extreme eg nee d for a partner) * Ways people deal with basic anxiety: * Move towards others, against others, away from others 4. Other Neo-Freudian Theorists: * Accepted notions of psychic determinism and unconscious motivation * Did not agree on sex and death instinct or the indelible nature of early life experiences. Put greater emphasis on ego functions (ego defence,dev of self instead of on unconsciousness) * Gave social variables an impt role (culture, family instead of instinctive urges, unconscious conflicts) * Extended personality development to include lifespan (instead of only childhood) Projective testing: Diagnosis via a defense mechanism * Ambiguous pictures to probe people’s innermost feelings, motive, conflicts, and desires * E. g. Rorschach Inkblot Technique- not objective * E. g. Thematic Apperception Test(TAT)- ambiguous picture n tell story * Theme: aggression, sexual needs, rs Humanistic Perspective Main Theoretical tenants: 1) Humans have an innate drive for personal g rowth ) Humans have free will; not controlled by the environment 3) Humans are conscious and rational; not controlled by unconscious forces 4) One’s subjective view is more important than objective reality * Abraham Maslow ‘s needs hierarchy * Interested in healthy human psychology * Criticisms: Not testable, Unrealistic, Method, Culture-specific * Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Theory * Believed that humans have one basic motive, that is the tendency to self-actualize * To achieve self-actualization they must be in a state of congruence. * Difference may exist between a person’s ideal self and actual experience. This is called incongruence. Where a person’s ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar, a state of congruence exists. * The larger the discrepancies between the two, the more psychological problems one experiences * Development of congruence is dependent on unconditional positive regard. * As we prefer to see ourselves i n ways that are consistent with our self-image, we may use defence mechanisms like denial or repression in order to feel less threatened by some of what we consider to be our undesirable feelings. * Evaluation: * Self centered picture of personality, looking through the lens of individualistic culture * But even in collectivism, self exists * Self-esteem, a cause or effect? Bullies and drug users actually have high self esteem * Emphasis on positive achievements and pro-social behaviours * Fails to recognize its function in a world filled with evil of all kinds Social Cognitive theories: Social Learning * Cognitive learning which new responses are acquired after watching others’ behaviour and the consequences of that behaviour * Expectation of gaining reward drives us to acquire that response * We reject or accept the role model base on consequences of their actions * Reciprocal determinism is the process which cognitions, behaviour and the environment mutually influence each other * Jane likes vb (cognition), spends more time playing on campus (env) and interacting w teammates (social behaviour) rewardingthis activity will reciprocally strengthen your interest in vb. Locus of control Rotter’s theory: our behaviour depends on our locus of control * Changes from situation to situation * Internal locus of control * Good student, smart and have good grades internal in academic settings * External locus of control * Overweight and come from a family w obesity external in restaurants. Evaluation * Overemphasize rational information processing and overlook both emotion and unconscious processes * Strength lies in foundation of solid psychological research able to come up with treatments for mental disorders that often seem to involve observational learning esp anxiety- based disorders (phobias and behaviour disorders in children) Behavioural Operant and Classical conditioning ) In classical, the organism learns an association between two stimuli (the N S and UCS); in operant, the organism learns an association between the behaviour and its consequences 2) In classical, the behaviour is elicited by the stimulus (not voluntary, like a reflex); in operant, the behaviour is emitted (under the control of the organism) * Pavlov’s classical conditioning * Chrissy’s sleepover case * B. F Skinner’s Operant conditioning * Positive reinforcement & Negative reinforcement (remove negative stimuli) strengthens response, * Punishment (give unpleasant stimuli) weakens response * Behaviour is determined by situations one is in (situationism) * People behave in ways to suit their situations Behaviours cannot be consistent enough to be traits because situations change * Solution: behaviours influenced by both person and situation (person X situation interactionism) * One situation influences people in different ways Theories to understand ourselves 1. Implicit personality theories a. Assumptions about personality used to simplif y the task of understanding others, eg. Blondes are not smart b. May give bad predictions when one project his feelings onto others and assume he’s feeling the same way c. Mindset 2. Self-narratives d. Help ppl sense a thread of consistency through their personalities over time e. Redemptive self: where one overcome obstacles to help others 3. Both theories are influenced by culture Psychology and Impact Personality Development 1. Define personality. 2. Analyze how biological, situational and mental processes impact personality development. 3. Discuss social and cultural contributions to personality development. 4. Describe the major dispositional theories of personality. 5. Describe the major process theories of personality. 6. Evaluate the major personality theories. 7. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used personality assessment techniques, validity, reliability. Define personality. Personality Is a unique and relatively stable ways in which people think, feel and behave * Is shaped by biological, situational, and mental processes in a sociocultural and development context * Impacts people’s cognition, motivation and behaviour Analyze how biological, situational and mental processes impact personality development. Biological * A person’s temperament results from 4 humours (ancient theory) * Blood from heart – sanguine cheerful * Choler from liver- choleric angry * Mel ancholer from spleen – melancholy depressed * Phlegm from brain- phlegmatic sluggish Frontal lobes regulates one’s basic disposition * Individual differences in temperament arise from balance of neurotransmitters * Adrenal gland, thyroid gland, pituitary gland and endocrine gland affect personality. * Kagan’s research on inherited basis of shyness on new borns * Excitable and inhibited infants became shy and introverted * Less excitable and bold infants became extraverted * â€Å"push of nature in different directions† Situational * Environment affects us through operant and classical conditioning * (1) Physical Environment It includes the influence of climatic conditions of a particular area or country on man and his living. * (2) Social Environment * The child has his birth in the society. He learns and lives there. Hence, the social environment has an important say in the personality development of the child. * E. g. one would play with an outgoing chi ld more than an inhibited one pushes inhibited child towards shyness * (3) Family Environment * Child comes in contact with his parents and other family member. His likes, dislikes, stereotypes about people, expectancies of security and emotional responses all are shaped in early childhood. The type of training and early childhood experiences play an important role in the development of personality. * Besides this, economic factors i. e. , economic condition of the family and the type of relations between the parents also influence the personality of the child. * (4) Cultural Environment * Individualism in westerners vs collectivism in Africa caused by environment * Striking difference in the universal trait of shyness caused by how each culture dealt with the child’s success and failures. Who gets credit for good grades, gets blamed for not getting them? Childcautious, low risk taker * (5) School Environment * In the school, the teacher substitutes the parents. * The school poses new problems to be solved, new taboos to be accepted into the superego and new models for imitation and identification Mental Processes * 3 kinds of process theories: * Psychodynamic/ psychoanalysis- * motivation, especially unconscious motives and the influence of past experiences on out mental health * Humanistic- consciousness and our present, subjective reality: what we think is ipt now and how we think of ourselves in relation to others * Cognitive- * Influence of learning, perception and social interaction on behaviour Describe the major dispositional theories of personality. Dispositional theories suggest temperaments, traits or types (set of personality characteristics) provide consistency to individual’s personality over time. Temperament * Biologically based personality dispositions * Apparent in early childhood, Establish foundation of personality & individual’s approach to life * Inherited temperament may set the range of your response to some life si tuation but it does not fully determine your life experiences * Affected also by family position, experiences, and sense of self * Usually refers to dominant long standing themes eg shyness/moodiness * Role of frontal lobes in regulating one’s basic disposition * Individual differences in temperament arise from balance of neurotransmitters * Influenced by learning * Heredity and environment interact with initially inherited characteristics becoming amplified * E. . one would play with an outgoing child more than an inhibited one pushes inhibited child towards shyness * E. g. observational learning Traits * Emerge from temperaments and influenced by experiences * Guides thoughts and actions under various conditions * Relatively stable * BIG 5 Traits * Openness to experience, Conscientious, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism * Has validity across cultures (but most of these studies utilized university students as respondents who are more influenced by European-American vi ews * Quite accurate Labels a person but gives no explanation on why Evaluation of Trait Theories XPortrayed personality as fixed and static rather than a process that can undergo development changes depending on experiences Xoversimplified our complex nature XDo not tell much about their source or how traits interacts X SELF-FULFILLING prophecy where ppl become influenced by the labels and it became hard for them to change the undesirable behaviour. E. g. a child labelled shy will have to struggle w both the label and the traits * Gives us ability to predict behaviour Assessing traits * Using: * MMPI-2 for clinical traits base on mental problems * Not possible to fake due to lie scales * Must be used w care in non-Western countries/ minorities cos not well represented in the samples used in developing the test * NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI) base on big 5 * Both have excellent reliability (consistent and stable scores) * Both have good validity (measure what they were designed to measure eg signs of mental disturbance) * Barnum effects: tendency for people to accept very general or vague characterizations of themselves and take them to be accurate * descriptions can well apply to others * reliability and validity are important attributes of good psychological tests * Finding personality type * Category that represents a common cluster of personality characteristics * MBTI – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator * Not reliable, not valid * Ppl don’t fall into different types but more along the introversion-extraversion continuum Describe the major process theories of personality.While each of the process theories sees different forces at work in personality, all portray personality as a result of internal mental processes and social interactions. Psychodynamic theories 1. Sigmund Freud psychodynamic approach * focus is on influence of unconscious forces (psychic determinism) difficult to prove * Personality is a function of 3 main themes: unconscious forces, childhood experiences, sex * Not scientific, hindsight bias ( overemphasis on childhood ), unconscious mind is not that malign and turbulent * Structure of personality Id * Unconscious reservoir * contains basic motives, drives and instinctive desires * pushes for immediate gratification * Ego * Governed by reality principle * Decision making component * Mediator btw Id and reality * Superego * Governed by morality and social standards (conscience) * An individual’s view of the kind of person he or she should strive to become * Psychosexual stages * Ego defence mechanism- largely unconscious mental strategy employed to reduce the experience of conflict or anxiety * Denial – I don’t have a problem Rationalization- I cheat because everyone does it – give socially accepted reasons for actions one think is socially unacceptable * Reaction formulation – goodie goodie act in opposite of their desire- act exactly in opposition to their unconscious desires * Displacement- kick the dog- shifting your reaction from real source of distress to a safer individual or object * Regression- cry, throw things to reduce stress- regress to earlier developmental stage * Sublimation- channel negative to positive eg sexual desires to creativity on art * Projection- attribute own unconscious desires/fears to others * Led to projective testing 2. Adler Struggle with sexual and hostile impulses not primary factor in personality development * Primary struggle: overcome inferiority feelings, develop superiority feelings in social relationships (later seen as unhealthy due to overcompensation) * Outgrow childhood inferiority, become competent adult * All born with positive motive, social interest * People’s lives governed by their goals 3. Karen Horney * Freud overemphasized sexual conflicts, penis envy, and criticized his views of women * When basic anxiety gets out of control, people become neurotic (basic desires taken to extreme eg nee d for a partner) * Ways people deal with basic anxiety: * Move towards others, against others, away from others 4. Other Neo-Freudian Theorists: * Accepted notions of psychic determinism and unconscious motivation * Did not agree on sex and death instinct or the indelible nature of early life experiences. Put greater emphasis on ego functions (ego defence,dev of self instead of on unconsciousness) * Gave social variables an impt role (culture, family instead of instinctive urges, unconscious conflicts) * Extended personality development to include lifespan (instead of only childhood) Projective testing: Diagnosis via a defense mechanism * Ambiguous pictures to probe people’s innermost feelings, motive, conflicts, and desires * E. g. Rorschach Inkblot Technique- not objective * E. g. Thematic Apperception Test(TAT)- ambiguous picture n tell story * Theme: aggression, sexual needs, rs Humanistic Perspective Main Theoretical tenants: 1) Humans have an innate drive for personal g rowth ) Humans have free will; not controlled by the environment 3) Humans are conscious and rational; not controlled by unconscious forces 4) One’s subjective view is more important than objective reality * Abraham Maslow ‘s needs hierarchy * Interested in healthy human psychology * Criticisms: Not testable, Unrealistic, Method, Culture-specific * Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Theory * Believed that humans have one basic motive, that is the tendency to self-actualize * To achieve self-actualization they must be in a state of congruence. * Difference may exist between a person’s ideal self and actual experience. This is called incongruence. Where a person’s ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar, a state of congruence exists. * The larger the discrepancies between the two, the more psychological problems one experiences * Development of congruence is dependent on unconditional positive regard. * As we prefer to see ourselves i n ways that are consistent with our self-image, we may use defence mechanisms like denial or repression in order to feel less threatened by some of what we consider to be our undesirable feelings. * Evaluation: * Self centered picture of personality, looking through the lens of individualistic culture * But even in collectivism, self exists * Self-esteem, a cause or effect? Bullies and drug users actually have high self esteem * Emphasis on positive achievements and pro-social behaviours * Fails to recognize its function in a world filled with evil of all kinds Social Cognitive theories: Social Learning * Cognitive learning which new responses are acquired after watching others’ behaviour and the consequences of that behaviour * Expectation of gaining reward drives us to acquire that response * We reject or accept the role model base on consequences of their actions * Reciprocal determinism is the process which cognitions, behaviour and the environment mutually influence each other * Jane likes vb (cognition), spends more time playing on campus (env) and interacting w teammates (social behaviour) rewardingthis activity will reciprocally strengthen your interest in vb. Locus of control Rotter’s theory: our behaviour depends on our locus of control * Changes from situation to situation * Internal locus of control * Good student, smart and have good grades internal in academic settings * External locus of control * Overweight and come from a family w obesity external in restaurants. Evaluation * Overemphasize rational information processing and overlook both emotion and unconscious processes * Strength lies in foundation of solid psychological research able to come up with treatments for mental disorders that often seem to involve observational learning esp anxiety- based disorders (phobias and behaviour disorders in children) Behavioural Operant and Classical conditioning ) In classical, the organism learns an association between two stimuli (the N S and UCS); in operant, the organism learns an association between the behaviour and its consequences 2) In classical, the behaviour is elicited by the stimulus (not voluntary, like a reflex); in operant, the behaviour is emitted (under the control of the organism) * Pavlov’s classical conditioning * Chrissy’s sleepover case * B. F Skinner’s Operant conditioning * Positive reinforcement & Negative reinforcement (remove negative stimuli) strengthens response, * Punishment (give unpleasant stimuli) weakens response * Behaviour is determined by situations one is in (situationism) * People behave in ways to suit their situations Behaviours cannot be consistent enough to be traits because situations change * Solution: behaviours influenced by both person and situation (person X situation interactionism) * One situation influences people in different ways Theories to understand ourselves 1. Implicit personality theories a. Assumptions about personality used to simplif y the task of understanding others, eg. Blondes are not smart b. May give bad predictions when one project his feelings onto others and assume he’s feeling the same way c. Mindset 2. Self-narratives d. Help ppl sense a thread of consistency through their personalities over time e. Redemptive self: where one overcome obstacles to help others 3. Both theories are influenced by culture

Facts on the Russo-Japanese War

Facts on the Russo-Japanese War The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 pitted expansionist Russia against up-and-coming Japan. Russia sought warm-water ports and control of Manchuria, while Japan opposed them. Japan emerged as a naval power and Admiral Togo Heihachiro achieved international fame. Russia lost two of its three naval fleets. Snapshot of the Russo-Japanese War: When: February 8, 1904, to September 5, 1905Where: The Yellow Sea, Manchuria, the Korean PeninsulaWho: The Russian Empire, ruled by Tsar Nicholas II, versus the Japanese Empire, ruled by the Meiji Emperor Total Troop Deployment: Russia - approx. 2,000,000Japan - 400,000 Who won the Russo-Japanese War? Amazingly, the Japanese Empire defeated the Russian Empire, thanks mostly to superior naval strength and tactics. It was a negotiated peace, rather than a complete or crushing victory, but hugely important for Japans rising status in the world. Total Deaths: In battle - Russian, approx. 38,000; Japanese, 58,257.From disease - Russian, 18,830; Japanese, 21,802. (Source: Patrick W. Kelley, Military Preventive Medicine: Mobilization and Deployment, 2004) Major Events and Turning Points: Battle of Port Arthur, Feb. 8 - 9, 1904: This opening battle was fought by Japanese Admiral Togo Heihachiro against Russian Vice Admiral  Oskar Victorovich Stark in a surprise night attack by the Japanese. While the battle was largely inconclusive, it resulted in a formal declaration of war between Russia and Japan on the day after the battle.Battle of Yalu River, April 30 - May 1, 1904Siege of Port Arthur, July 30 - January 2, 1905Battle of the Yellow Sea, August 10, 1904Battle of Sandepu, January 25 - 29, 1905Battle of Mukden, February 20 - March 10, 1905Battle of Tsushima, May 27 -28, 1905: Admiral Togo destroyed a fleet of Russian ships, ambushing them on their way through the Tsushima Strait on their way to Vladivostok. After this victory, Russias prestige was damaged and they sued for peace.Treaty of Portsmouth, September 5, 1905, formally ended the Russo-Japanese. Signed at Portsmouth, Maine, USA. Theodore Roosevelt earned the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the treaty. Significance of the Russo-Japanese War The Russo-Japanese War held great international significance, as it was the first all-out war of the modern era in which a non-European power defeated one of Europes great powers. As a result, the Russian Empire and Tsar Nicholas II lost considerable prestige, along with two of their three naval fleets. Popular outrage in Russia at the outcome helped lead to the Russian Revolution of 1905, a wave of unrest that lasted more than two years but did not manage to topple the tsars government. For the Japanese Empire, of course, victory in the Russo-Japanese War cemented its place as an up-and-coming great power, particularly since it came on the heels of Japans victory in the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95. Nonetheless, public opinion in Japan was none too favorable. The Treaty of Portsmouth did not grant Japan either the territory or the monetary reparations that the Japanese people expected after their significant investment of energy and blood in the war.

5 Clues Its Time to Get a New Job (Before Its Too Late)

5 Clues Its Time to Get a New Job (Before Its Too Late) Most people are totally excited on the first day of a new job. But after a few months (or years), we can start to lose the love a little. Here are 5 ways to tell whether you’re just bored or if you really should look for another job. 1. Your boss is a jerkSeriously. She puts you down, publicly. She blows up at you in front of everyone. She snaps  at you regularly. This is not good boss behavior. Remember, a good boss will do everything they can to help you succeed and encourage you to grow and improve until you’re delivering your best work. This is in her best interest. If your boss is all nasty and no nurture, it may be time to move on.2. You dread workYou come home running on empty- emotionally and physically and mentally exhausted. And the thought of going back in the morning, or on Monday, fills you with dread. If you feel actual knots in your stomach at the idea of going in to work, it might be time to think about a change.3. You’re too busy to breatheYouà ¢â‚¬â„¢re so busy that you only leave the office to shower and sleep (and even then, not for very long). You’re always on your email or your work phone. And weekends? Haven’t had one of those in months.Remember, if you’re this busy there’s no way you’re actually doing good work. You don’t have time to think! Have a conversation with your boss about taking better care of yourself, managing things, delegating perhaps, and about having at least one day off to recharge. If you can’t get these boundaries set up, you should leave before you burn out completely.4. You’re so boredSeriously, you can hardly make it through the day. You’ve started yawning- not because you’re tired, but because your job is so brain-numbingly boring that you can’t focus or stay awake. If you have one of these jobs where management would rather you have your butt in your chair all day than actually be productive, then you might be better off somewhere else.5. You want something differentWanting to move on to something new or different is natural. Maybe you want a new challenge! Or a change of scenery! Keep in mind you might not have to go nuclear to get this. See if there are any positions in different departments within your company. If you could see this solving the problem, it might be easier than a career change. If you listen to yourself and confront your situation honestly, you’ll know when it’s really time to go.

Fundamental of marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fundamental of marketing - Assignment Example This makes it the most outstanding paste in the New Zealand markets. With these features, XSensor will be a product for use by all family members across New Zealand given that it calls for the most simplified applications ever. In regard to customers demand it will have a special pouch for provision of other services like tooth picks to be used alongside the brushing technique this will give potential customers a better satisfaction that is worth the value of their money. To ensure that customers are satisfied, our product will offer the best service owing to the fact that its battery will have a prolonged life span this will ensure increased efficiency and effectiveness. This will also ensure that this product lives up to the expectation of the consumer. It is maintenance cost is going to be low because of less contamination by hands. In fact, XSensor does not call for touching like other manual dispensers. You only place your tooth brush at the point of dispensation and tooth paste of the right quantity comes into place. Secondly, this product will benefit customers through proper product positioning which will include: Conducting interviews with our target customers in their niche so as to gain relevant insight and to ensure that they get hands on experience of the product. Developing thorough understanding of the customer’s needs this will include guidelines on how to use the device and facilitate any modifications that customers may deem fit in their brilliance. Capacity The product is in large scale and customers will not at any one time miss it out in the market so as to cope with the success of services offered. The buying criteria will be simple as this product comes in one piece and will not require assembly once delivered. This is holistically backed by the following characteristics and benefits: It will be fast to use because its dispensing speed is fast, it will have a long life span, and no hand contact. Pricing methods will be friendly to consumers to ensure the product is affordable to all the people in New Zealand. Discounts will be offered to customers who purchase in large quantities. This may include traders or even domestic users willing to buy for their other family members. Cumulative quantity discount will also be given to resellers who purchase large quantity over time but who may not have the capacity to buy in bulk at once. Seasonal discount will be offered based on the period of time or season that the purchase is made to reduce variations of seasons in sales. Then there will be cash discount offered to domestic users who buy promptly on cash basis. Finally there will be promotional discount once in a while to stimulate customers during low seasons (Feinschreiber, 2004). Also it is evident that customers will require products that are of better quality .These are products whose worth is not compromised by the cost offered. Performance must also be put into consideration because XSensor will fall under el ectronic goods. All these are applicable qualities to go by. Additionally, the following pricing objectives must be put into consideration for the survival of the organization. Current Profit Maximization The product on offer is new and will require generating profit in order to sustain customers and employees. It is important that new consideration is given to negative long impacts to

Case Studies and Readings in Sports Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Studies and Readings in Sports - Coursework Example When Under Armour started to enter the market, it had to face huge challenges from the existing players like Nike, Adidas. The increasing acceptance of Under Armour products and the suitable marketing strategies adopted by Plank helped the company to penetrate the apparel segment of the sports industry and gain considerable market share. Critique The case study of the Under Armour could be analyzed to highlight the growth of a product lifecycle under the brand name of its company from a very obscure position to a market leadership position by virtue of quality and ability to meet the demands of the customers. Under Armour is a company in the sports industry that manufactures and sells performance wears that are not only strong as compared to the earlier one but also comfortable for the sportspersons as its regulates body temperature and keeps them agile during the time of sporting events. The company was founded by Kevin Plank who was himself a footballer in the college days and had faced difficulties due to the performance wears or the shirts that they wore during their playing days. Those shirts were of inferior qualities and caused difficulties as those absorbed due to bodily perspirations which made them heavy feel heavier at the time of playing. The Under Armour which became synonymous with the brand name of the company with the increasing acceptance of the performance wears by the sportspersons acquired high market shares in a short span of time which posed threat to the existing market players like Adidas. The sportswear sold by Under Armour was of high quality due to the high quality cotton and fabric used in the process of production. The sportswear manufactured by Under Armour could regulate the body temperature and wipe off the sweat and body perspirations that helped to keep the footballers and the athletes free from external disturbances due to their bodily activities. The inner wears of Under Armour were highly elastic and could fit the skin smoot hly thereby giving comfort to the players which helped in improving the sports performances. When Under Armour decided to enter the market with the growing acceptance of its products, they faced huge challenges from the market leaders Like Nike, Adidas who ruled the athletics apparel industry. At that point of Nike was the market leader in the athletic apparel market with 21.3% market share followed by Adidas. This prompted Under Armour to adopt several marketing strategies to penetrate the potential market segment for athletic apparels for men and women. The various marketing strategies included endorsement by the target users, word of mouth, buzz marketing and product placement strategies (Kraft and Lee, 2009). The company realized that the athletic apparels and inner wear for sports are manufactured to meet the needs of the athletes and improve their performance through provision of comfort offered by better quality of fabric. Under Armour was used by athletes and the endorsement by these sports celebrities provided the marketing communication to the other athletes and sports lovers. This increased the likelihood of brand recall and provided more credibility to the users of the athletic apparel. The spread of word of mouth among the customers who were the sports lovers and the athletes, footballers themselves led to the increase in the increase