Cohabitation and Division of Gender Roles in a Couple

Cohabitation is perceived in the society as the form of relationships which is an effective alternative to the traditional marriage because of focusing on the principles of flexibility, freedom, and equality, but few couples can follow the principles of egalitarian relationships and focus on equality related to gender roles during a long period of time. The division of gender roles in cohabitating couples is often realized according to the traditional visions shared within the society.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cohabitation and Division of Gender Roles in a Couple specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Although cohabitation is closely associated with egalitarian relationships and gender-neutral division of roles in a couple, cohabitation cannot guarantee that partners will reject traditional gender roles typical for married couples because many cohabitating couples follow traditional gender attitudes and roles ac cepted in the society, discuss paid and unpaid work and duties in relation to gender, and share stereotypes on breadwinner and homemaker roles. The Principles of Cohabitation and Traditional Gender Roles In spite of the fact that cohabitation is based on the principles of flexibility and equality, many cohabitating couples build their relationships according to the visions and ideals typical for discussing married couples and their gender roles. Thus, partners in cohabitating couples are also influenced by the social stereotypes, and they follow traditional gender attitudes and roles without references to the fact that cohabitation was chosen in order to state the individual freedom in relationships (Miller Sassler, 2010). According to Batalova and Cohen, socialization is the important factor to form people’s gender role attitudes, thus, partners in cohabitating couples as well as husbands and wives in married couples can â€Å"perform household labor according to what they have learned about appropriate behavior for men and women† (Batalova Cohen, 2002, p. 745). Gender role is a complex notion, and it can be discussed in relation to many factors which are important for the development of couples’ relationships. As a result, such principles of cohabitation as egalitarianism and flexibility do not work in many couples because of strong traditional gender role attitudes. The Division of Duties in Relation to Gender Cohabitation is discussed as a less formal variant of close relationships which has all the advantages of marriage, but cohabitation provides even more benefits for the couples because of depending on the idea of equality which is attractive for young people. In reality, cohabitation can differ little from marriage regarding the division of gender roles and domestic duties. Although women in cohabitating couples can occupy high social positions and develop successful careers as well as men, the division of domestic unpaid activi ties is often unequal because of gender.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Batalova and Cohen state that â€Å"despite men’s greater contribution, women still do at least twice as much routine housework as men do† (Batalova Cohen, 2002, p. 746). Men in cohabitating couples are not ready to share housework duties equally to women because of the social stereotypes associated with gender roles. As a result, women are actively involved in routine housework along with performing their social responsibilities and paid work. Women in cohabitating couples are still expected to concentrate on housework as their primary duties. This vision is in a conflict with the idea that women are equal to men in relation to the career opportunities. Thus, women are expected to be successful in career as well as in housework and care for children (Helgeson, 2005). This tendency becomes mor e obvious in relation to cohabitating couples in spite of their focus on the ideas of equality, flexibility, and freedom in relationships. Breadwinner and Homemaker Roles in Cohabitating Couples The relationships of a cohabitating couple often develop according to the traditional model where a man is a breadwinner and a woman is a homemaker. Even though a woman has the paid work, she is expected to take responsibility for more housework in comparison with a man. Although this approach is characteristic for married couples, it is important to note that cohabiting men are inclined to do housework according to the patterns used by married men (Batalova Cohen, 2002, p. 746). There is a range of household activities which are performed by men unwillingly, and the main reason to avoid performing the housework is the status of a breadwinner (Miller Sassler, 2010). The problem is in the fact that women rarely can rely on this status because their partners are not ready to accept this kind of equal relations, and a role of a homemaker is discussed as most appropriate for a woman. Thus, the division of gender roles in cohabitating couples is often similar to those ones in married couples, especially in relation to the division of duties and housework activities. Women in cohabitating couples are expected to perform more domestic activities than men without references to their social status, the fact of having paid jobs or the necessity to care for children. From this point, cohabitation cannot guarantee that the relationships will develop according to the ideals of egalitarianism, modern visions of gender roles distribution, and division of duties and housework activities. References Batalova, J., Cohen, P. (2002). Premarital cohabitation and housework: Couples in cross-national perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(3), 743-758.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cohabitation and Division of Gender Roles in a Couple specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Helgeson, V. (2005). The psychology of gender. USA: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Miller, A., Sassler, S. (2010). Stability and change in the division of labor among cohabiting couples. Sociological Forum, 25(4), 677-702. This essay on Cohabitation and Division of Gender Roles in a Couple was written and submitted by user Natalya Jackson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid in South Africa Introduction South Africa is one of the countries with rich and fascinating history in the world. It is regarded as the most developed state in Africa and among the last to have an elected black president towards the end of the 20th century. Besides its rich history, the South African state has abundant natural resources, fertile farms and a wide range of minerals including gold.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Apartheid in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The country is the world’s leading miner of diamonds and gold with several metal ores distributed around the country like platinum (Rosmarin Rissik, 2004). South Africa experiences a mild climate that resembles that of San Francisco bay. With its geographical location and development, South Africa is one of the most accessible African countries. All these factors contribute to South Africa’s global prominence, especially before and after the reign of its first black President, Nelson Mandela in 1994. However, these alone do not add up to what the country’s history. In fact, South Africa’s history sounds incomplete without the mention of Apartheid, a system that significantly shaped and transformed the country in what it is today. Without apartheid, many argue that South Africa would have probably been a different country with unique ideologies, politics and overall identity. In other words, apartheid greatly affected South Africa in all spheres of a country’s operation. From segregation to all forms of unfairness, apartheid system negatively affected South Africans and the entire country (Pfister, 2005). On the other hand, some people argue that apartheid positively affected South Africa in countless ways. This essay gives a detailed coverage of the issue of apartheid in South Africa and its impact to the economy, politics and social life of South Africans. To achieve this task, the analysis is divided into useful sections, which give concise and authentic information concerning the topic. Up to date sources were consulted in researching the topic to ensure that data and information used in describing the concept is up to date, from reputable and recommended authors.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Among important segments of the essay include but not limited to the literature review, history, background information and recommendations. Research questions In addressing the issue of Apartheid in South Africa, this essay intends to provide answers to the following questions: What was apartheid system? What are the factors that led to the apartheid system? What were the negative effects of the apartheid system? What were the positive effects of the apartheid system? Why was it necessary to end apartheid in South Africa? Literature Review Apartheid in South Africa is one of the topics which have received massive literature coverage even after the end of the regime. Most of the documented information describes life before 1994 and what transpired after Nelson Mandela took leadership as the first black African President of the state. This segment, therefore, explores the concept concerning what authors, scholars and researchers have recorded in books, journals and on websites as expounded in the following analytical sections. Apartheid in South Africa Apartheid refers to a South African system that propagated racial discrimination imposed between 1948 and 1994 by National Party regimes. During this period of decades, the rights of the majority â€Å"blacks† were undermined as white minority settlers maintained their supremacy and rule through suppressive tactics. Apartheid was primarily developed after the Second World War by the Broederbond and Afrikaner organizations and was extended to other parts of South West Africa, currently known as Namibia until it became an independent state four years before the end of apartheid. According to Allen 2005, discrimination of black people in South Africa began long before apartheid was born during the colonial era. In his survey, Allen noted that apartheid was ratified after the general election which was held in 1948.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Apartheid in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The new legislation that the governments adopted classified all South African inhabitants into four groups based on their racial identity (Allen, 2005). These groups were Asians, whites, natives and colored. This led to all manners of segregation that ensured complete distinction among these groups, achieved through forced displacement of the oppressed groups without necessarily thinking about their rights. The practice continued throughout the period, reaching heightened moments when non-whites were depriv ed of political representation in 1970, the year when blacks were denied citizenship right causing them to become members of Bantustans who belonged to self-governing homes (Allen, 2005). Besides residential removal and displacement, other forms of discrimination dominated in public institutions like education centers, hospitals and beaches among other places which were legally meant for everybody regardless of their skin color, gender or country of origin. In rare cases where black accessed these services, they were provided with inferior options as compared to what whites received (Allen, 2005). As a result, there was significant violence witnessed across the country, accompanied by internal resistance from people who believed that they were being exploited and languishing in poverty at the expense of white minorities. Consequently, the country suffered trade embargoes as other countries around the world distanced themselves from South African rule as a way of condemning it and ra ising their voices in support for those who were considered less human in their own country. Overwhelmed by the desire for equality, South Africa witnessed countless uprisings and revolts, which were welcomed with imprisoning of political and human rights activists who were strongly opposed to the apartheid rule. Banning of opposition politics was also adopted in order to suppress leaders who believed in justice for humanity (Edwards Hecht, 2010). As violence escalated around the country, several state organizations responded by sponsoring violence and increasing the intensity of oppression.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The peak of apartheid opposition was in 1980s when attempts to amend apartheid legislation failed to calm black people forcing President Frederik Willem de Klerk to enter into negotiations with black leaders to end apartheid in 1990. The culmination of the negotiations was in 1994 when a multi-racial and democratic election was held with Nelson Mandela of African National Congress emerging the winner and the first black president in South Africa (Edwards Hecht, 2010). Although apartheid ended more than a decade ago, it is important to note its impact and ruins are still evident in South Africa. Background Information Segregation took shape in the Union of South Africa in order to suppress the black people’s participation in politics and economic life. White rulers believed that the only way of maintaining their rule was to ensure that black people do not have opportunities to organize themselves into groups that would augment their ability to systematize themselves and fight back for their rights. However, despite these efforts, black people in South Africa became integrated into the economic and industrial society than any other group of people in Africa during the 20th century (Edwards Hecht, 2010). Clerics, educations and other professionals grew up to be key players as the influence of blacks sprouted with Mission Christianity significantly influencing the political landscape of the union. Studying in abroad also played a major role as blacks gained the momentum to fight for their rights as the move received support from other parts of the world (Burger, 2011). There were continuous attempts from the government to control and manipulate black people through skewed policies, which were aimed at benefiting whites at the expense of the majority. The year 1902 saw the formation of the first political organization by Dr Abdurrahman which was mainly based in Cape Province. However, the formation of the African National Congress in 1912 was a milestone a s it brought together traditional authorities, educationists and Christian leaders (Burger, 2011). Its initial concern was defined by constitutional protests as its leaders demanded recognition and representation of the blacks. Efforts by union workers to form organizations for the purpose of voicing their concerns were short-lived as their efforts were short down by white authorities. This led to strikes and militancy, which was experienced throughout 1920s. The formation of the Communist Party proved to be a force to last as it united workers’ organizations and non-racialism individuals (Beinart Dubow, 1995). Segregation of blacks was also witnessed in job regulations as skilled job opportunities remained reserved for white people. The introduction of pass-laws further aimed at restricting African mobility thus limiting their chances of getting organized. These laws were also designed to have all blacks participate in forced labor as they did not have a clear channel to ai r their views. According to historic findings, all these efforts were inclined towards laying the foundation for apartheid in later years. Noteworthy, there were divisions among whites as they differed with regard to certain ideologies and stances. For instance, they could not agree on their involvement in First World War I as the National Party dislodged from the South African Party (Beinart Dubow, 1995). Conversely, allocation of skilled jobs to whites targeted high productivity from people who had experience while pass-laws prevented aimless movement. Labor issues continued to emerge through organized strikes though these efforts were constantly thwarted by the government using brutal and inhumane ways like seclusion of migrant residential houses using compounds. Miners also protested against low payment and poor living standards, conditions which promoted hostility between black and white labor forces, culminating into a bloody rebellion in 1922 (Beinart Dubow, 1995). Intensif ied discrimination against blacks mounted to serve the interests of white rulers through reinforcement of the unfair government policies and employment bar in certain areas like the railway and postal service to address the infamous â€Å"poor-white problem†. The world depression of early 1930s led to the union of major white parties which was closely followed by the breakaway by a new Afrikaner led by Dr. DF Malan. The entrenchment of the white domination led to the elimination of Africans from the voters’ role in 1936 (Burger, 2011). These continued up to the end of the Second World War when the government intensified segregation rules in 1948 that led to the conception and birth of Apartheid in South Africa. Desmond Tutu against Apartheid As mentioned above, Mission Christianity played a major role in the fight against apartheid and restoration of justice in South Africa. This saw several leaders rise to the limelight as they emerged to be the voice of the voiceless in the South African State. One of these Christian leaders was Archbishop Desmond Tutu who has remained in the history of South Africa, featuring prominently in the reign of apartheid (BBC, 2010). He is well known worldwide for his anti-apartheid role and for boldly speaking for the blacks. He served a very important role, especially during the entire time when Nelson Mandela was serving his prison term making him nominated for the highly coveted and prestigious Nobel Peace Prize award in 1984 for his relentless anti-apartheid efforts. This was a real implication that the world had not only observed Tutu’s efforts but also raised its voice against the discriminatory rule in South Africa. After Nelson Mandela was elected democratically in 1984, he appointed Archbishop Desmond Tutu to steer the South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was mandated to investigate all forms of crimes committed by blacks and whites during the whole period of apartheid. Alth ough Tutu was a teacher by training, he dropped the career after the adoption of the Bantu Education Act in 1953 (BBC, 2010). The act was meant to extend apartheid to black schools around the country, causing several schools to close down due to lack of finances after the government discontinued subsidized programs for those that did not comply. To confirm and affirm that apartheid was not the best regime option in South Africa, Desmond Tutu was highly influenced by white clergymen like Bishop Trevor Huddleston, who strongly opposed the idea of racial discrimination that was being propagated by the white government (BBC, 2010). Although he was closely involved in active politics, he remained focused on religious motivation, arguing that racialism was not the will of God, and that it was not to live forever. His appointment as the head of the Anglican church in 1986 did not deter him from fighting apartheid as he risked being jailed after he called the public to boycott municipal ele ctions that were held in 1988. He welcomed President FW De Klerk’s reforms in 1989, which included the release of the one who was later to become the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and the reinstatement of the African National Congress (BBC, 2010). Nelson Mandela against Apartheid Nelson Mandela is regarded as a key player in the fight against apartheid in South Africa as he led black people together with other activists to publicly denounce and condemn the discriminatory regimes of the time. As a way of demonstrating his dissatisfaction and criticism of apartheid, Mandela publicly burnt his â€Å"pass†. All blacks were required to carry their passes as the government prohibited the movement of people to other districts (Atlas College, 2011). While working with ANC, Mandela’s involvement in anti-apartheid efforts was increased as he realized the need to have active resistance in dealing with apartheid. He was severally charged with treason and acquitted although in 1964, Mandela was life imprisoned a move that was considered to be ill-motivated to maintain the white rule supremacy. He continued his fight while in prison as his message penetrated every village and district in the country. Although he acted together with like-minded people, Nelson Mandela’s name stands high as the leader of the anti-apartheid campaign which culminated in his election as the first black president of South Africa in 1994 (Atlas College, 2011). Opposing opinion Although apartheid was highly condemned and still receives high-charged criticism, some people view it from a different perspective. Did apartheid have any benefit to the people of South Africa and to the nation at large? Apart from propagating injustices across the country, apartheid is one of the economic drivers of South Africa with some of the policies and strategies used during that time still under active implementation by the government. For instance, the Reconstructi on and Development Programme (RDP) was orchestrated by ANC and served as the core platform during the elections that were held in 1994 (Lundahl Petersson, 2009). The programme focused on improvement of infrastructure, improvement of housing facilities, free schooling, sharing of land to the landless, clean water and affordable health facilities among others. This led to the improvement of social amenities in the country. RDP also continued financing the budget revenue. It therefore suffices to mention that those who support apartheid base their argument on the status of the country after 1994 when subsequent governments chose to adopt some strategies from apartheid to drive the reconstruction agenda (Lundahl Petersson, 2009). As one of the leading economies in Africa, some of the institutions, factories and companies which were established during apartheid significantly contribute to development in the country. Even though new plans have been adopted, majority have their foundatio ns rocked on apartheid. As a result of these development initiatives, a lot has changed in South Africa. There has been substantive economic growth augmented by several factors which relate to apartheid (Lundahl Petersson, 2009). Improved living standards among South Africans cannot also be ignored in any discussion of apartheid. Many jobs have been created for the skilled people who never found an opportunity to work when the regime was at its operational peak. South Africa also prides on some of the most prestigious learning institutions in the region which are highly ranked on the world list. It therefore suffices to mention that apartheid had several advantages which cannot be overshadowed by its disadvantages. Against Apartheid Despite the advantages of apartheid discussed above, there is no doubt that the system negatively impacted South Africans in a myriad of ways. From undermining of human rights to promotion of hostility and violence among residents, there is enough evide nce to condemn the regime. It affected several social structures people were not allowed to freely intermarry and interact. This was coupled with limited expression rights as they were believed not to have rights. Movement was highly restricted as black people were to walk with passes and restricted to move within one district. Additionally, forceful evacuation was a norm as black people never owned land and houses permanently (Burger, 2011). What about employment? Many skilled jobs were strictly reserved for whites as black people survived on manual duties with little or no pay. This contributed to low living standards and inability to meet their needs, manifested through labor strikes which were continuously witnessed in several organizations. Consequently, violence escalated with police brutality hitting high levels and several people losing their lives as others spent the rest of their lives in jail. It was a system that needed more condemnation than just protesting in order to allow justice to prevail (Pfister, 2005). Conclusion Apartheid in South Africa is one of the most outstanding in the history of the country with millions of people with painful and remarkable memories. With its culmination in 1994 democratic elections which saw Nelson Mandela rise to power, the regime had severe negative effects, which necessitated the need to end it and pave the way for a fair nation that respects humanity regardless of skin color, ethnicity, country of origin and gender (Pfister, 2005). Based on the above analysis, it is important for a number of lessons to be learnt from it. World leaders need to establish and implement leadership mechanisms that would prevent recurrence of apartheid in South Africa or in other parts of the world. To the millions who suffered under rule, reconciliation efforts are essential in allowing them to accept themselves and move on with life as they mingle with thousands of white settlers who continue owning parcels of land in the country . It should however to be forgotten that apartheid was important in transforming South Africa into what it is today. From factories and infrastructure to a stable economy, it had lifetime merits that ought to be acknowledged throughout in history. References Allen, J. (2005). Apartheid South Africa: An Insiders Overview of the Origin and Effects of Separate Development. Bloomington, Indiana: iUniverse. Atlas College. (2011). Nelson Mandela and Apartheid. Atlas College. Web. BBC. (2010). Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu. BBC News. Web. Beinart, W., Dubow, S. (1995). Segregation and apartheid in twentieth-century South Africa. London: Routledge. Burger, D. (2011). History. South African Government Information. Web. Edwards, P., Hecht, G. (2010). History and the Techno politics of Identity: The Case of Apartheid South Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 36(3), p. 619-639. Lundahl, M., Petersson, L. (2009). Post-Apartheid South Africa; an Economic Success Story? United Natio ns University. Web. Pfister, R. (2005). Apartheid South Africa and African states: from pariah to middle power, 1961-1994. London: I.B.Tauris. Rosmarin, I., Rissik, D. (2004). South Africa. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish.

The Attitude of the American Soldiers during and after World War Two Essay

The Attitude of the American Soldiers during and after World War Two - Essay Example It looked as if there would no peace in the near future. There was a difference of twenty years between the First World War and the Second World War. Adolf Hitler who had made Germany unstable by his cruel targets in mind signed deals with Italy and Japan. He was a fanatic who had the aim of world domination in his mind and to him signing this deal would help him to a greater access to other countries of the world and help him achieve his aim of ruling the world. At the time Germany took over Poland, subsequently Britain and France declared war on Germany and they all fell in to a serious war with high casualties on both sides. The main reason the war broke out was, that there were a lot of unresolved issues from the first war. Countries still nursed injuries and had grudges against each other. America at first had shown its support for the allied forces but had never physically participated in the war. They had offered all kind of support to the allied forces and had said that if ne ed arises they would surely help them out (Terkel, 1984). The soldiers were at a calm and peaceful state, they were aware there was a war going on and they were like sleeping partners in it. It was amazing that despite being a part of Allied forces, there was no sense of fear or tension in the American soldiers. They all thought that life was normal and would continue to do so. Only if some terrible news from the Allied army reached to them then the atmosphere would become somber. A soldier from the world war two said that, now as he thinks back he feels that it was like a serene and peaceful state, like calm before the storm. The soldiers went about their normal drills and there were no special drills or any other guerilla activities being conducted at the American camps. They were providing assistance to the Allied forces in the form of weapons and other arms. They were also providing assistance in the form of other material helps. It was a much sidelined place that they had in wa r earlier. They were psychologically at a stage of calmness and felt that they would not be harmed and they were at ease. There was a sense of security that the soldiers had, they felt as they were not attacking and physically harming any country they will not also face anything. No one will attack them and they can get through this war without any casualties. The Americans had lost a lot of people in the world war one and therefore they had quite much insecurity with sending their men again to a war. Although there was a sense of security in the minds of people and as well as soldiers, because many people assumed it as a false sense of security, because they felt, even if the soldiers are not participating in the war physically, there is proxy war by providing ammunitions and declaring your support for the cause. It was a matter of time before the American soldiers also got involved in the war. The soldiers on the other hand were at some point estimating that they might have to go in for physical combat or t some point they thought that they might get dragged into it. Whatever they though and felt, they were not prepared yet. They had a lot of things to be done and theirs bases were as and as peaceful as they would during the time of no war (Adams, 2000). While the whole world war is going in the backdrop the participation of Americans was limited to the table talks, cutting of trade ties and helping out by political conferences and maneuvers. This type of attitude made the soldiers believe that

Evaluation of the research methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Evaluation of the research methods - Essay Example Quantitative and qualitative research methods investigate and explore different claims to knowledge and both methods are designed to address a specific type of research question. While the quantitative method provides an objective measure of reality, the qualitative method allows the researcher to explore and better understand the complexity of a phenomenon (Prado, 2003). The researchers choose the most appropriate research methods that fit their research purposes. The following report will evaluate the research methodologies and analyze how academic journals have used the following methods to find answers to the phenomenon (Ibrahim et al., 2010). The researcher first needs to decide which philosophical view to undertake, which will then help to provide the knowledge of the best methodological paradigm (Saunders et al., 2012) (Appendix 1). For example, positivism researchers believe in a pattern of cause-and-effect that can be used as a basis for predicting and controlling natural phenomenon (Creswell, 2012). The following philosophical view complements the deductive approach because it is highly concerned with testing the hypothesis (Baines et al., 2011). Moreover, choosing chosen concepts from the â€Å"research onion† can help to guide the researcher in choosing the pre-planned descriptive research design and the information obtained can be statistically inferred on a population. Therefore, the most comfortable research methodology to apply would be the quantitative technique (Crouch & Housden, 2012). Because quantitative techniques can obtain statistical information from the respondents that can be quantified into frequencies and percentages that positivistic researchers aim to obtain (Baines et al., 2011). The quantitative approach is known to apply the â€Å"etic† point of view that refers to a distant, analytical

HarperCollins Publishers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

HarperCollins Publishers - Essay Example Personal research on the development milestones of HarperCollins publishers revealed that the company is an auxiliary of News Corporation. The company has experienced different acquisitions and mergers with the latest acquisition of Thomas Nelson, a Christian book publisher in 2011 (Mu?Hlbacher, Dahringer & Leihs, 2006, p. 67). The company publishes a wide range of imprints that are either new or from earlier independent publishing companies. The most recent influential marketing strategy is the web approach whereby book sales and reach is achieved through the online market (Blythe & Zimmerman, 2005 p. 43). This strategy is advantageous whereby the consumers could access selected extracts from a book before purchasing. On the other hand, the downfall of the same is as a result of concern from other publishers who believe that the availability of books online could be exploited through file sharing. HarperCollins publishers have managed to maintain their competitive advantage by devel oping imprints that are unique from other publishing companies such as MacMillan and Random house. ... The operating profits shown to have increased by over 100% indicated that the restructuring strategies in the past two decades were successful. Presently, HarperCollins publishers continue to explore innovative strategies to enhance its growth. Marketing strategy review blog 2: value HarperCollins publishers enjoy the business strength of publishing literature in spiritual and religious books, cookbooks, mystery and romance, literary and children’s books. With consumers spread all over the world, corporate value is a very vital concept in the development of the company. This review explores the extent to which customer relation can be implemented. The company offers customer value on a different basis. The readers have the satisfaction of pleasurable and affordable reading experiences. The authors on the other hand, have the satisfaction of their work being published by a globally reputable brand; enjoy editorial support and widespread marketing reach (Gay, Charlesworth & Esen , 2006, p. 89). The value proposition of customer satisfaction would enhance the company’s position in the global market that is increasingly becoming a village due to technological advancements. HarperCollins publishers have adopted the target marketing initiative in order to position their highly competitive products in the minds of the target consumers. Market segmentation adds value to customers by providing dynamic, user friendly and customized products (Hall, 1992, p 84). This has been achieved using different innovative mediums such as technology for example, the progressive expansion of the e-book collection developed the â€Å"HarperCollins 360† initiative that ensures that every book published in the different

Modern Approaches to Food Production

Modern Approaches to Food Production The world id currently facing huge issues such as hunger and many people are starving and are dying because of the lack of food. There is not enough food to cater for everyone. Faster food production methods need to be considered but alternative methods may be dangerous to our health. The requirements of the project were to question 15 people. These people should be from different groups who are likely to have different opinions. Sources of info Questionnaire Web search Books Personal discussions Who I surveyed Family members Friends Fathers employees 8. How do farming methods differ? 7. Why they think organic food is expensive? 6. What are the pros and cons of the two food production methods? 5. Is there a difference in taste between the two foods? 4. Do they buy organic foods? 3. Do they agree with the statement? 2. Do they understand what modern food production is? 1. Are people aware of the food shortage in the world? Modern food production method vs. organic foods What are organic foods? Pros and cons of organic production. Organic foods are naturally grown crops that are grown at a small scale. They require good nutritional soils and special care. They cannot be grown everywhere as you need to consider important factors such as weather and the enrichment of the soils. The organic foods are pesticide free making them prone to bugs and animals. For food to be considered organic it needs to come from a farm and processing plants need to be organic. For processing plants to be qualified as organic they need to be examined by government officials to ensure that they are up to USDA standards. Packaging that has the name labeled organic must have at least 95% of organic ingredients. Organic foods have plenty of benefits such as: Health benefits- create issues especially with growing children. Environmental benefits- farming methods that use chemicals are killing wildlife such as birds and insects. Organic crops balance the ecosystem. Human and animal benefits- workers and animals are not surrounded by toxins. The animals have good living conditions. Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the  health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological  processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions,  rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic  agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit  the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved -International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements Pros Healthier Less harmful to your body No chemicals Nutritional Less damage to the environment Better quality Better taste Cons Slowly grown More effort to grow More expensive Only grown during particular seasons Shelf life not too long No guarantee of safety as they are disease free Very dependant on weather and environment Some foods not available Less production What is genetic modification? Is it the baddie that its reputation suggests? The worlds population is increasing rapidly everyday resulting in food scarcity. There is not enough food available for everyone. Traditional farming methods are too slow. This method produces food slowly and requires special care. This speed of production only feeds the wealthier half of the population as it is costly. Alternative routes have had to be established in order to feed poor countries that are suffering from hunger. A new farming method which was introduced in the1990s is faster and cheaper. Genetically modified foods are crops grown at a large scale usually in unnatural environments. These crops are not grown naturally. The method can be cost effective but is produced in bigger quantities making it more affordable. The foods have been nutritionally balanced and are not prone to diseases. Plant geneticists work with the genes found in the plants. For example a plant that has a gene that can withstand a drought is then inserted into a plant that cannot tolerate droughts. Genetically modified foods involve crossing species which could not cross in nature. Genetically modified foods have been highly criticized but they are helpful and will decrease hunger. Advantages: pest resistant herbicide resistant cold tolerance drought tolerance nutritional pharmaceuticals put in foods large amounts of production faster food can be cloned cheaper more resilient mass production more availability no diseases longer shelf life Disadvantages contain harmful chemicals chemicals used are not good for health long term affects are bad pesticides affect environment not healthy no genetic variation lower nutritional value full of preservatives The world would not last on traditional grown foods as the production is slow and countries in poverty cannot afford organic foods unless they grow the foods themselves organically. In the cow industry there is such a demand for meat that farmers are not able to produce their cattle fast enough. Beef farmers in countries like Canada have been injecting their cattle with so many growth hormones that the average cow only survives for a maximum of three years. Farmers are not only trying to supply enough food but have also become greedy because of the amount of money they receive from the meat which is often exported. Chickens that we buy in stores and are amazed at the size of the packaged meat have spent their whole live in a chicken shed. In this shed the chicken are packed and can hardly move. They are fad buckets of food everyday and at night time the lights inside the shed are not turned off so the animals think that it is still day time and therefore carry on eating. This situation is commonly known amongst chicken farms that supply meat to fast food industries like KFC. There is such a huge demand for chicken by consumers that those birds are unfairly treated. They are so full of hormones that some do not have legs or wings. Yet without this method of production KFC could never cater for all their consumers. Issues concerning human health: allergen city gene transfer out crossing effects on environment Genetically modifying food is a faster and more effective production technique. The main focus of genetically modified farming is to create the biggest capital possible. What chemicals are used to aid the production and supply of foods and what functions do they perform? Chemicals put in food have become a huge concern worldwide and is affecting international trade. Contamination involves the existence of various chemicals in foods such as pesticides, animal drugs and other agricultural chemicals. Foods manufactured that contain all these additives are seriously dangerous for your health and can cause future problems we are not yet aware of. What is radurisation, what foods are irradiated, pros and cons? Another factor that concerns consumers is radurization. This is the application of chemicals to enhance the shelf life of food. This happens by minimizing the number of microorganisms that appear when food is mishandled. Foods that are irradiated are foods that are perishable such as fruit and frozen foods. Food suppliers rate radurisation highly and state that the foods are safe to eat. Examples of Foods that are irradiated spices fruits meats Pros food is safer to eat longer life of food in stores kills insects delays ripening of fruits preserves nutrients Analyses of questionnaire answers: Are you aware of the food shortage the world is currently facing? This result was surprising as there has been such a huge issue on the shortage of food. World hunger is spoken of world wide. Do you understand what modern food production is? Only two people are unaware of what modern food production is. This could be that they are uneducated about the situation or take no interest in the situation. Do you agree with the statement Without modern food production methods, the world food shortage would be in even more of a crisis today.? 3 people out of 15 believed that people could make more of an effort to grow organic foods on their own and not depend to modern food production methods to end world hunger. They said that people are getting lazy and by this they are destroying the planet because if them. Do you buy organic foods? Nearly half of the people interviewed do not buy organic foods because of the price and limited availability of it. Is there a difference in taste between organic foods and genetically modified foods? 8 out of the 15 interviewed said that there was no taste. People do not usually pay so much attention to slight taste differences in foods. What are the pros and cons of these two food production methods? This was an open ended question and everyones answers differentiated. Why do you think organic foods are more expensive than genetically modified foods? Majority of the people interviewed had similar answers such as: Longer to grow Less quantity More care Less availability How do you think the farming methods of organically produced foods and genetically modified foods differ? This was an opinioned answer and people had similar views such as: organic farming does not use chemicals and genetically modified does. Did I get the results that I expected or not? I expected to get the results from the questionnaires as many of the school pupils who answered this questionnaire have learnt about genetically modified foods. My father owns an agricultural business so other members of my survey who work for my father know about the food shortage and other things like chemicals and organic foods as they study them on courses. Another member of the 15 people questioned has a passion for the environment so I knew the answers would be accurate. All answers were accurate and similar to literature research. Majority of the people had an idea of what the questions were about. The survey results were reliable as I compared the answers to web search. I feel different however. How I could improve the project? I should have interviewed more people and a variety of people. I should have asked better questions so it could have helped with me project answers. I should have started the project soon so that I had more time. Conclusion Looking at my information and the opinion of others I believe that the world is extremely dependant of modern food production methods. Although huge critism has been placed on genetically modified foods, the world could not go on without it. Organic food production is to slow and uses up to much effort to try and feed billions of people but there is, however, enough space and resources to grow our own food although it will take time and there will no availability in the stores or at home. Countries that have food issues are normal badly run and have big issues such as political issues. Some countries are not resourceful enough to grow their own food. The world is growing rapidly every day so an alternative route of food production needs to be taken. As peoples incomes increase so do the demand for better quality and more foods increase. In countries like China more people arte earning better salaries and are turning from vegetarian meals to meat. This is costly and food cannot be cat ered for the whole of china let alone the whole world. Only the richer population eats regular meal s as food is unavailable for countries like Africa. Bibliography for pictures http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://fileserver.tinker.com/tinker/events/7/7293_main_image_1248795170.jpgimgrefurl=http://tinker.com/events/%3Fperiod%3Dtoday%26category%3Dcause_topics%26featured%3Dtrue%26mode%3Dtop%26sort%3Ductusg=__LFeGwYQo56OQdl9KjGqHaJRHkSs=h=400w=400sz=23hl=enstart=0tbnid=R6SCE9t7ynbVuM:tbnh=135tbnw=135prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorganic%2Bfoods%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D583%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1itbs=1iact=rcdur=125ei=YJVhTKSZOsiS4gbM9sHgCQoei=YJVhTKSZOsiS4gbM9sHgCQesq=1page=1ndsp=15ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0tx=72ty=63 http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://www.daybydaynutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/green-basics-organic-produce-stand.jpgimgrefurl=http://www.daybydaynutrition.com/author/admin/page/6/usg=__V970oXt-v63mUfwaFhMAvqzQrEk=h=347w=468sz=44hl=enstart=0tbnid=-N96QxsNgmQa9M:tbnh=135tbnw=212prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorganic%2Bfoods%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D583%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1itbs=1iact=hcvpx=432vpy=110dur=1735hovh=193hovw=261tx=129ty=107ei=YJVhTKSZOsiS4gbM9sHgCQoei=YJVhTKSZOsiS4gbM9sHgCQesq=1page=1ndsp=15ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0 http://www.foodmatters.tv/images/assets/organic-gardening.jpg http://admin.moguling.com/Upload/180people.com/modded.jpg http://img.search.com/thumb/8/80/Waste_not_want_not_WWI_poster.jpg/200px-Waste_not_want_not_WWI_poster.jpg http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/rma/lowres/rman1855l.jpg http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://www.formenteraweb.com/portal/img/noticies/4444/agricultura-2.jpgimgrefurl=http://www.formenteraweb.com/news/2005/09/increase-organic-farming/usg=__Zfl_rH0fe-SwsnY3N6D3SfPOufQ=h=320w=300sz=73hl=enstart=16tbnid=iqOc-IMtjX4ZCM:tbnh=130tbnw=122prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorganic%2Bfarming%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26biw%3D1004%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C612itbs=1iact=hcvpx=119vpy=85dur=16hovh=232hovw=217tx=122ty=111ei=FpdhTN6KMISUONuapL8Koei=zJZhTM3VDM754AbwlIj3CQesq=2page=2ndsp=15ved=1t:429,r:5,s:16biw=1004bih=583

Comparing the Human Condition in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Waiting for Godot :: comparison compare contrast essays

Comparing the Human Condition in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Waiting for Godot  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Inspired by Beckett’s literary style, particularly in ‘Waiting for Godot’, Stoppard wrote ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’.   As a result of this, many comparisons can be drawn between these two plays.   Stoppard’s writing was also influenced by Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’.   Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as minor characters exist within Shakespeare’s world providing Stoppard with his protagonists.   However, the play is not an attempt to rewrite ‘Waiting for Godot’ in a framework of Shakespeare’s drama.     In studying these texts, the reader is provoked into analysing, comparing and contrasting them.   In particular the characters in ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’ provide intriguing material to consider the human condition.   The characters, their personality traits and responses to stimuli, as well as what directs and motivates them, is worthy of discussion.     Stoppard gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern an existence outside ‘Hamlet’, although it is one of little significance and they idle away their time only having a purpose to their lives when the play rejoins the ‘Hamlet’ plot, after they have been called by the King’s messenger: â€Å"There was a messenger...that’s right.   We were sent for.†Ã‚   Their lives end tragically due to this connection with ‘Hamlet’, predetermined by the title, but the role provided them with a purpose to their otherwise futile lives, making them bearable.   Their deaths evoke sadness and sympathy leaving the reader grieving for them.   In contrast to Stoppard’s play ‘Waiting for Godot’ is much bleaker in the respect that Vladimir and Estragon seem to have no purpose or direction in their lives.   Their only hope rests on the mysterious Godot who never comes, however they do remain alive at the end.   This leads the reader to question which pair of characters are the most unfortunate.   Rosencrantz and Guildensten may not have been saved from death but they have been saved from the futility of life which Vladimir and Estragon exclaim:   â€Å"We can’t go on like this† yet ironically they are left to do so.     In ‘Waiting for Godot’, we know little concerning the protagonists, indeed from their comments they appear to know little about themselves and seem bewildered and confused as to the extent of their existence.   Their situation is obscure and Vladimir and Estragon spend the day (representative of their lives) waiting for the mysterious Godot, interacting with each other with quick and short speech. Comparing the Human Condition in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Waiting for Godot :: comparison compare contrast essays Comparing the Human Condition in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Waiting for Godot  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Inspired by Beckett’s literary style, particularly in ‘Waiting for Godot’, Stoppard wrote ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’.   As a result of this, many comparisons can be drawn between these two plays.   Stoppard’s writing was also influenced by Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’.   Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as minor characters exist within Shakespeare’s world providing Stoppard with his protagonists.   However, the play is not an attempt to rewrite ‘Waiting for Godot’ in a framework of Shakespeare’s drama.     In studying these texts, the reader is provoked into analysing, comparing and contrasting them.   In particular the characters in ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’ provide intriguing material to consider the human condition.   The characters, their personality traits and responses to stimuli, as well as what directs and motivates them, is worthy of discussion.     Stoppard gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern an existence outside ‘Hamlet’, although it is one of little significance and they idle away their time only having a purpose to their lives when the play rejoins the ‘Hamlet’ plot, after they have been called by the King’s messenger: â€Å"There was a messenger...that’s right.   We were sent for.†Ã‚   Their lives end tragically due to this connection with ‘Hamlet’, predetermined by the title, but the role provided them with a purpose to their otherwise futile lives, making them bearable.   Their deaths evoke sadness and sympathy leaving the reader grieving for them.   In contrast to Stoppard’s play ‘Waiting for Godot’ is much bleaker in the respect that Vladimir and Estragon seem to have no purpose or direction in their lives.   Their only hope rests on the mysterious Godot who never comes, however they do remain alive at the end.   This leads the reader to question which pair of characters are the most unfortunate.   Rosencrantz and Guildensten may not have been saved from death but they have been saved from the futility of life which Vladimir and Estragon exclaim:   â€Å"We can’t go on like this† yet ironically they are left to do so.     In ‘Waiting for Godot’, we know little concerning the protagonists, indeed from their comments they appear to know little about themselves and seem bewildered and confused as to the extent of their existence.   Their situation is obscure and Vladimir and Estragon spend the day (representative of their lives) waiting for the mysterious Godot, interacting with each other with quick and short speech.

SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces for Sheng Siong Essay

Introduction Growing up in a pig farm, the CEO Mr. Lim Hock Chee and his brothers have brought Sheng Siong Group Ltd to an over 800million market capital, Singapore Exchange listed supermarket chain. The group’s humble beginning in the year 1985, from its first store in Ang Mo Kio which surrounded by 5 other grocery stores, has now expanded to be the one of the largest supermarket chain in Singapore. Sheng Siong is publicly listed at the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on August 17, 2011. Since then, it grows to become a major supermarket chain in Singapore with a total retail area of 400,000sq ft over 33 outlets island-wide. Sheng Siong’s outlets are designed to provide customers with both â€Å"wet and dry† shopping options ranging from a wide assortment of fresh, live and chilled products, such as meat, seafood and vegetables to processed, packaged and preserved food products as well as general groceries. Over the past few years, they have developed a selection of house brands to offer customers alternatives with at ample savings. Sheng Siong has now over 400 products under their 10 house brands. With the long history and reputation for quality products at competitive prices, the â€Å"Sheng Siong† brand had become an established household name in Singapore. Widely recognized by consumers, Sheng Siong were awarded the â€Å"Superbrand† status by Superbrands Singapore since 2008 (Superbrands, 1994). Mission: We strive to offer communities in which we operate quality products at reasonable prices together with good service in order to create value to our customers Vision: Our vision is to be the preferred retailer in the market, starting from Singapore and then further ashore. SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses 1. Strong brand recognition 2. Experienced management 1. Susceptible to rent hikes and labour cost hikes. 2. Lack of a formal succession plan Opportunity Threats 1. Overseas expansion 2. Untapped areas in Singapore 1. Losing market share 2. Supply disruption Strengths Strong brand recognition Sheng Siong is among the top 3 supermarket chain in Singapore. Sheng Siong launched a television show titled â€Å"The Sheng Siong Show† since year 2007 to further raise its profile amongst national audiences, on top of the traditional marketing mediums. Strong recognition by Singapore residents as a value-for-money supermarket chain. Awarded â€Å"Superbrand† status by Superbrands Singapore, a global organization that recognizes the most valued and exceptional brands, every year since year 2008. Experienced management Sheng Siong is founded since year 1985 and focus only in retail business in Singapore. Management of the group since then rests in the hands of the three founding Lim brothers: Mr. Lim Hock Eng (Executive Chairman), Mr. Lim Hock Chee (CEO) and Mr. Lim Hock Leng (Managing Director). They have almost 30 years of experience in grocery retailing, equipped with in-depth knowledge of the industry in Singapore. Weaknesses Susceptible to rent hikes and labour cost hikes The cost of rental and labour takes up 85% of Sheng Siongs’ operating expenses (Maybank KE, 2013) thus it is very vulnerable to hikes on operating cost in order to sustain their low-cost strategy. The Singapore Government had increase the restrictions for hiring foreign labour (Mom.gov.sg, 2013), which pressure Sheng Siong, in which one-third of its 2600 employees are non-Singaporeans, in their operating cost. (Michelle Teo, 2013) In Maybank KE’s research (2013), under the sensitivity analysis, an increase of 5% additional staff cost would incurred 9% of shortfall in Sheng Siong’s profit. According to Sheng Siong’s Annual Report in 2012 and 2013, rental expenses had been increased from 1.095million to 1.693million, representing  a more than 50% hike. In order to sustain the low-cost strategy, such rental hike issue had made Sheng Siong Group opened no new store in year 2013, whereby they cannot find suitable and affordable space to rent for expansion. La ck of a formal succession plan The founders, Lim brothers are holding more than 60% of the shares of Sheng Siong Group and also on the top managing positions. (Annual Report, 2013) The lack of a formal succession plan could prove to be a weakness in the long-run. The listing of Sheng Siong in the SGX had made incorporation of some outside talents including Mr. Tan Ling San (Executive Director) and Mr. Wong Soong Kit (Finance Director) into the management ranks, however if the Lim brothers decide to retire or step down before a formal succession plan is put into place, it may lead to a potential loss of strategic direction. Opportunities Overseas expansion Despite the foreign markets are also dominated by major players, Sheng Siong might able to seek chances in overseas expansion, especially in neighbor countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. The benefits of overseas expansion including increase brand value, find new customers, seek for tax incentives and reduce excessive domestic, single market reliance and furthermore enjoy the robust economic development of the region of South East Asia. Especially in Malaysia, Sheng Siong has had various suppliers which relationships had been established for decades, the expansion into the market is not impossible. Untapped areas in Singapore There are still many highly populated areas in Singapore where Sheng Siong has no presence such as Bishan, Tampines, Hougang, Sengkang and Bukit Merah. This means that Sheng Siong still has a lot of room to grow its store network. Furthermore, Sheng Siong had commenced an e-commerce pilot project in December 2013, in the Thomson vicinity to provide customers the convenience of shopping groceries online via the website â€Å"allforyou.sg†. The possible success of this e-commerce project can reduce dependence on human labour, save cost on warehouse management and create new and better shopping experience of customers at their convenience. Threats Losing market share Sheng Siong operates in a highly competitive environment where it faces intense competition from other major super market chains as well as traditional grocery retailers, wet markets and even petrol kiosks. Its existing stores may face competition from new competitor outlets in their operating areas; it may lose market shares in the area where new competitor’s outlets are open where Sheng Siong is absent. Sheng Siong has suffer zero expansion in retail outlets in year 2013, making it a crucial threat of losing market shares due to expansions of its competitors. Supply disruption Supply disruptions arising from harsh weather conditions, force majeure events or natural disasters might hit Sheng Siong because about 30% of its revenue (Ocbc is from the sale of fresh produce. Porter’s 5 forces Competitive rivalry – High Sheng Siong is in tough competition with major direct competitors such as NTUC FairPrice and Dairy Farm’s Cold Storage and Giant, yet there are many other smaller retailers in the market. The 4 major supermarket chain had a dominant market share of more than 85percent (Euromonitor, 2014) (Maybank KE, 2014), making the business to be in a semi-consolidated industry. Supermarkets are having very low level of product differentiation. The retail sectors is growing steadily but slow. (Singstat.gov.sg, 2014) For the full year, retail sales in Singapore contracted by 4.3%, a reversal from the 1.3% expansion in 2012, but supermarket sales grew by 4.3% at current prices and 2.4% at constant prices during the same period, compared with an increase of 7.5% and 5.3% respectively in 2012. (Economic Survey of Singapore, 2013) The increasingly intensive competition may result in lower sales and greater operating costs and have an adverse effect on Sheng Siong. Threat of new entrants – Low The big 4 supermarket chains took up to more than 85percent of the total  market shares in Singapore, thus becomes a huge barrier for new entrants to meet the excessive capital requirements into the harsh competition. A new entrant would have to achieve the economies of scale needed to compete on cost advantage with the major market players, therefore not an easy barrier to cross over. Branding is another barrier to entry. A new entrant would need to differentiate themselves with the big 4 and to attain identity through promotions and advertising which may incur extremely high expenses. The highly responsive to competition of the big 4 supermarket chains to sustain market share also makes the barrier higher for new entrants. New entrant also face disadvantage in lack of expertise and knowledge of consumer trends, as the big players had been in the business for decades. Difficulties in accessing to distribution channels and locations is also an entry barrier for new entrant as Singapore is a matured market. Threat of substitute – High Chains of convenience stores such as 7-eleven and Cheers are emerging in the market. Convenience stores are selling some Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) like dairy products, soft drinks and packaged food which also sold by supermarkets, thus become a substitute of supermarkets. Restaurants, kopitiams (coffee shop) and food centers are also substitutes for supermarkets. People may want to dine outside rather than purchasing fresh meats, fishes and vegetable to cook at home. Pharmacies which are selling medicine, personal care, and baby care and toilet / pocket papers are also a substitute of supermarket. Traditional wet markets are considered another substitute for supermarket business. Newly emerged online groceries shopping brings threat of substitute to supermarket also. Bargaining power of customer – High Sheng Siong is facing intense competition from traditional grocery retailers such as wet markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets, and from non-traditional competitors such as, petrol kiosk convenience stores, convenience stores and restaurants. Customers have various options when comes to buying groceries. While pricing is one of the keys, convenience also plays a significant role in groceries shopping. People might choose to buy daily groceries from neighborhood grocery store just on their doorstep or buy drinks from the  nearest convenience stores, rather than purposely go to supermarket. Bargaining power of supplier – Low Due to the nature of grocery retailing business, Sheng Siong purchase goods from a large number of suppliers and contract manufacturers. A large network of over 1,000 suppliers and contract manufacturers had been established for Sheng Siong’s business. Some of the supplying relationships had established since the commencing year of 1985. The large and stable supplying relationships have enabled Sheng Siong to have a continuous supply of products without major disruptions and allow them to wield greater bargaining power in terms of the purchase prices of their products. No single supplier or contract manufacturer contributed more than 5.0% of Sheng Siong’s total purchases. (Prospectus, 2011) Summary Competitive rivalry: High Threat of new entrants: Low Threat of substitute: High Bargaining power of customer:High Bargaining power of supplier: Low The analysis above shows Sheng Siong is in a really intensive business environment. Therefore, the management team should act really cautious on their strategy planning for business operations as well expansions in order to stay competitive. Strategic planning As Sheng Siong is implementing low-cost strategy, it is very important for the management to plan their business tightly watch on their operational costs, as they are vulnerable to rental and labour hikes. On the other Hand, not having a succession plan may negatively impacts the operations of company in long run. Thus Sheng Siong should have plans with the goal to train and sustain the dynamic key management team for the company’s future growth. Goals Plans Control operating costs, Sustaining low-cost strategy Reduce dependence of foreign labours. Computerized operations to reduce labour costs. Seek new property rental or purchases opportunity in new high populated resident areas such as Punggol and Hougang. Make optimum utilize of the centralized warehouse cum distribution center in Mandai Link, to achieve economies of scale. Train and sustain the upcoming management team Set up a management training for potential employees from internal or external. Succession plan as well as a contingency plan should be well established as soon as possible to enhance the stability of the long term operations of the company. Organizing Sheng Siong is applying the functional organization where by it divides into different divisions such as Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Purchasing and Retail Operations. It is also a centralized organization since it was originally a family business. Most decisions are made by high-level executives and pass down for implementation. In my opinion, a transition should be made in the organizing system in Sheng Siong if the company wants to sustain in a longer run. Talents from internal or external should be brought up to managerial level through systematic trainings and being delegated in decisions making to cultivate fresh thoughts and ideas for the operations and growth of the company. The company should gradually decentralized in their organization to promote creativity and innovations, as well as act as a pathway for establishing succession plans. Leadership Despite using power of authority, power of rewards has been used in Sheng Siong’s leadership over their employees. 20% of the groups’ profit before tax was distributed in the form of various bonuses to its employees in the past 2 years. Relationship-motivated leadership Having policy such as provides one free meal per workday for every full-time  worker that has become a tradition of the company for 25 years. (Sheng Siong, 2013) The CEO Lim Hock Chee is an authentic and transformational leader. Although featuring at position 35 in Forbes’ Singapore’s 50 Richest list, Lim Hock Chee remains a humble man. He is known as the â€Å"towkay (meaning ‘boss’ in Chinese) who drives a lorry† due to that being his mode of transport for many years. He undertook a two-year car mechanic course and thus stood him in good stead as until recently he was known as â€Å"Mr Fix it† at Sheng Siong, regularly welding trolleys and fixing power outages. (Hunt, 2014) These good traits of leadership styles should be kept on in Sheng Siong to distinguish themselves from major trends in capitalized world that applies less relationships concerned leadership. However, a family business cannot sustain and grow if it stays only at family style, standardization and formalization should progressively apply and leaders should apply a balanced portion of task performance behaviors in their lead. Control In spite of bureaucratic control, market control is always being well-utilized in Sheng Siong. The plans and strategies in marketing, property renting and purchasing, and invests and divests are set according to close studies of the market. Sheng Siong emerged as Runner-up in the Retail & Household Goods category of the 14th Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS) Investors’ Choice Award – Most Transparent Company Award (MTCA) 2013. (Annual Report, 2013) This indicates Sheng Siong is having good control of their accounts and audits with optimum information stated in their financial reports. Despite the financial parts, management audits are closely monitored. The evaluations of the the company’s planning, organizing, leading and controlling is always printed in their annual report. It reviews what have been done and what the upcoming plans are, giving a clear picture to investors and business partners. Recommendations Sheng Siong should always prudent in its expansion and execution under the  harsh economic environment. Setting up a clear succession plan of short, medium, and long term to ensure the future operations of the company. Overseas expansion exposes to risks and opportunities, the company should well utilize the connections that it has to expand the business to another level, locally and regionally. Conclusion Sheng Siong had gradually emerged as one of the biggest groceries retailer in Singapore. Nevertheless, there are huge growth opportunity for the company. The company should stay dynamic and improve the weaknesses to keep explore the chances of growth in this competitive environment. Changing is not always a bad idea. From a family business to a listed company, from a small establishment to a corporate, Sheng Siong has gone this far, but be it just the beginning of the future great arms in supermarket operators in the region or even in the globe. Modern management studies will help Sheng Siong to embrace any possible threats in the future. The transition of Sheng Siong should not be stopped at this point but should keep improving, strive to achieve its mission and vision.

Italy is a beautiful republic with a deep cultural background

Italy is a beautiful republic with a deep cultural background. Italy has a diverse historical background that left us with beautiful architecture, paintings and music. The long history of Italys great cities, among the most beautiful in the world, have fostered a determined spirit of independent vitality among their citizens, helping them escape the industrial revolution and changes taking place around them (Scarth). LOCATION: Italy is a peninsula, surrounded on thee sides with water, in southern Europe. The bordering countries are Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. The bordering bodies of water are the Mediterranean and Ionian Sea to the south, Adriatic Sea to the east, Tyrrhenian, Ligurian, and Mediterranean Sea to the west. Italy has three major surrounding islands, Sicily, Elba, and Sardinia, as well as several small islands. Italy is separated into two independent countries, San Marino and the Vatican City. Italys geographical coordinates are 43Â °and 11Â ° 14 E. It covers an area of 301,230 square kilometers. 294,020 square kilometers are land, and 7,210 square kilometers are water. It is about the size of Arizona. Italy is often called the boot because of its unique shape. PLACE: Italys terrain is mostly rugged mountains, some plains, and coastal lowlands. 31% of the land is arable, 10% is used for annual crops, 15% is made up of pastures, 23% is made up of forests, and the remaining 21% have a variety of different uses. On the area bordering the Adriatic Sea, the land is sandy, low and surrounded by shallow bodies of water. The western border is composed of bays, gulfs, and other inlets. The Gulf Of Genoa is also located in Western Europe; this serves as a harbor for Genoa. Gulf of Salerno and the Gulf of Taranto are located towards the southeastern side of Italy, extending to the heel of the boot.

Climate Change, Development and Disaster Risk Reduction

Climate Change, Development and Disaster Risk Reduction Introduction The climatic conditions of the earth have changed significantly over the centuries. This can be noticed from the geological evidence of changes in sea levels and ice ages. The patterns of human activity over the centuries also give good evidence of climate change.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Climate Change, Development and Disaster Risk Reduction specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is unclear what caused the climate changes in the past, but scientists have listed possible causes like volcanic eruptions, the sun’s effects, and changes in ocean currents (Pelling 2011 p. 17). The evidence of climate change at present is mainly seen in the sharp increase in global temperatures over the past few decades. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report arrived at the conclusion that climate change was happening at present. Atmospheric and oceanic temperatures have reached reco rd high levels that have never been witnessed in the last 500 years and most likely for over 1000 years (IPPC 2008 p. 34). The effects of climate change can be seen in many areas, with one of the most common pointers being the increased frequency of natural disasters. Industrialization and deforestation increase the levels greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere, and this has consequently led to an increase in droughts, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Current Approach to Climate Change A look at the statistics indicates that climate change is a major issue that requires a serious approach in order to mitigate its effects. For the period from 1995 to 2004, disasters caused 890,000 deaths and affected a total of 2.5 billion people, with losses estimated at US$ 570 billion (IPCC 2008 p. 46). The number of disasters recorded almost doubled for the period running from 1995 to 2005, and this is cause for major concern. Other plausible explanations for this increa se include population growth and the increase in the number of climatic disasters of a lower magnitude. However, the increased cases of droughts, storms, and very high rainfalls in different places are indicative of the culmination of the effects of climate change, and major disasters are yet to follow in the future (Schipper Pelling 2006, p. 117). Some positive statistics show that there are now fewer people dying as a result of disasters as compared to previous centuries. This is particularly so for widespread flooding and drought, which have in the past claimed hundreds of thousands of human lives.Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This reduction can be attributed to improved systems for monitoring climatic patterns, providing early warning of impending disaster and general preparedness (Sietz Boschutz 2011 p. 82). The responses of governments and internationa l organizations through measures like evacuations and food aid have also helped save a lot of lives. However, this trend could be on the reverse since the past few decades have seen a rise in the baseline level of deaths, which can be attributed to a growing population with a majority of the poor living in disaster prone areas. It is the poor people that feel the full impact of disasters and other effects of climate change. Any progress that has been made towards poverty reduction over the years can be undone due to the damages caused by these disasters (Pachuari 2004 p. 137). Many people in the population expect their respective governments to shield them from the risks of disaster at all costs (Wilkinson 2012 p. 156). They do not seriously consider the risks that they may be putting themselves in from the choices they make, especially concerning where they settle and the socio-economic activities that they engage in. Experts have proposed an approach that decreases the chances of the population suffering impending disasters, regardless of whether they are related to climate change or not. This idea of disaster risk reduction or adaptation can be implemented in several ways. These include public awareness programs, early warning systems, and environmental protection. These efforts also require serious political commitment and administrative input from respective governments. Politics, Institutions and Climate Change Disaster risk reduction and climate change are closely related, yet they are usually discussed under different policy spheres at both national and international forums. In recent years, those concerned with disaster reduction have actively contributed to discussions on climate change, and have proposed concepts for adaptation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Climate Change, Development and Disaster Risk Reduction specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There have been efforts to combine the efforts towards disaster reduction and climate change. There are several UN processes geared towards risk reduction. They include bodies like the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Small Island Developing States have already recognized the need to reduce the risks of climate change, and have come up with the Mauritius Strategy on sustainable development. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is also helping poor countries that depend on agriculture how to reduce risk and adapt to climate change. Experts emphasize that the most of the efforts towards reducing climate change and disaster risks should be made at community and state levels. This calls for an integrated approach that unites the efforts of all the concerned sectors under a common framework. Some of these sectors include education, i nfrastructure, health, and environment. It has been noted that most of the disaster risk reduction efforts in many countries are handled by the armed forces or emergency management bodies that usually have few connections with other concerned ministries like environment, finance, or economic planning. Many countries are now looking at how to integrate these efforts for better coordination and collaboration between all the major stakeholders (Willis 2005 p. 175). The public needs to be actively engaged in disaster reduction efforts to complement the efforts by the government and international bodies. The private sector also has a lot of expertise when it comes to disaster management and risk reduction, and their in put should be sought to boost the efforts that are already in place. Climate change is now the leading cause of many disasters happening all over the world. As a result, the efforts at mitigating the effects of climate change are closely related to disaster risk reduction, and the two must be approached by combining efforts. Future projections for climate change Experts are now using computer-based models to try to predict future climate patterns. These models incorporate important factors that affect the atmosphere and the oceans, like the projected increase in greenhouse gases due to socio-economic activities. The results released by the IPCC based on the computer models paint a very grim picture.Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Surface air temperatures for the globe are expected to increase by 1.1-6.4 degrees Celsius while seas levels are expected to rise by 18 to 59 cm by the year 2100 (IPCC 2008 p. 58). The acidity of the oceans will increase while the planet will experience heat waves and high precipitation events will become more common. The high precipitation will mainly be seen at higher altitudes while the subtropical areas will see less rainfall. The continuous rising of tropical sea surface temperatures will cause the tropical cyclones, like typhoons and hurricanes, to become more intense. This will be seen in the higher peak wind speeds and more accompanying precipitation (citation). Expected effects of climate change Melt water from the top of the mountains supply more than one sixth of the planet’s population with their water needs. These are people living mainly in the dry tropics and mid latitudes, and they are likely to experience a significant reduction in water supply by the middle of the century. There will be higher precipitation in some areas and this is most likely to result in more floods. The mid and high altitude areas may initially benefit from higher agricultural output due to the increased precipitation. However, in the lower altitude areas, crop production will be heavily affected due to the increases in temperature and frequency of droughts and floods. There will be more people facing hunger and this will cause displacement and migration of large populations. Those societies, settlements, and industries located at the coastal areas and river flood plains face the highest risks from the effects of climate change. Also under threat are those countries whose economies are heavily dependent on climate-sensitive resources. The extreme weather patterns have become a common occurrence and with increased intensity, and the economic and social costs of damages resulting from these events will increase. This is more so for places undergoing rapid urbanizatio n. The negative impact of climate change on health is a major concern. Heat waves, storms, droughts, floods, and fires are likely to cause more injuries and deaths. Other threats to health will come from malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition. The projects aimed at improving public health especially in the poor countries will suffer a huge setback as a result of disasters (Mehta 2000 p. 89). Climate change is expected to affect all countries, but the nastiest effects will be experienced by people in poor countries and the poor segment in developed countries. The poor have a tendency to live in high-risk areas like flood plains, yet they do not have properly built houses. Their economic activities are also dependent on climate, like agriculture, and they have no capacity to cope with the effects of climate change (Madan 2010 p. 67). This means that the low incomes of the poor are likely to fall further, and the rates of illness and death will increase in many developing countries. Afric a already suffers from numerous problems like endemic poverty, armed conflicts, and other disasters yet it lacks the institutional capacity to deal with these situations. This makes the continent extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Drought is set to continue being a major problem in Africa, and it has been shown that sub-Saharan Africa has become drier during the 20th century. Agricultural production and water supply are expected to reduce significantly, with some projections putting a reduction in agricultural yields by up to 50% by the year 2020 (Low 2005 p. 248). Asia has been keen on sustainable development but this is set to come under strain as climate change puts more pressure on natural resources that are already under threat from urbanization and industrialization. Dealing with Climate Change The world has slowly awaken to the fact that climate change is a major concern, and countries are now trying to discuss and negotiate ways of dealing with the proble m, mainly under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It has been widely accepted that greenhouse emissions arising from human activity are the main problem, and focus is now on how to reduce these emissions (Levine, Ludi Jones 2011, p. 46). There is a lot of contention on how to go about reducing greenhouse emissions, as it calls for radical changes that will affect the society in a major way. The use of fossil fuels, industries, urban development, and general land use all need to be changed drastically and this is likely to affect many people in a huge way hence the resistance. The efforts at reducing greenhouse emissions are referred to as â€Å"mitigation†. Some of the proposed mitigation actions include switching to renewable forms of energy, development of low-energy technologies and reducing reliance on energy-intensive products. It also involves environmental management and conservation efforts targeting forests and soils. The second pla n of action in response to climate change involves finding ways of managing its impacts. The amounts of greenhouse gases that have already accumulated in the atmosphere mean that the world cannot escape the impacts of climate change. This is reinforced by the continued emissions before the mitigation efforts take full effect. It is widely accepted that the impacts of climate change are coming or are already here, and some effort is being put towards lessening these impacts. These efforts towards coping with climate change are referred to as â€Å"adaptation†. Proposed adaptation efforts include early warning systems, better building designs, improved agricultural practices, and putting in place social safety nets for the poor. Adaptation and mitigation efforts should go hand in hand for complimentary effect (Jones et al. 2010 p. 79). Conclusion Geological and anthropological evidence indicate that the earth has experienced climate change before. It is difficult to point out t he real reasons behind climate change in the past. However, climate change is happening now, and much of it is due to human activity. Both atmospheric and oceanic temperatures have reached record highs that have not been experienced for hundreds of years. The effects of climate change are already being felt, especially due to the increased frequency of disasters all over the world. These changes have mostly affected poor people living in disaster prone areas (Baker 2012 p. 28). The most common effects are extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall that results in widespread floods, and prolonged drought that causes famine and denies the poor a source of livelihood through agriculture. There have been efforts towards addressing climate change as the world continues to witness its devastating effects. However, there seems to be several hindering factors, mainly at local and national levels (Dasgupta Baschieri 2010 p. 56). Most countries lack the capacities and institutional frame works to deal with climate change, and there has also been slow reaction from governments yet they are expected to play a significant role in the whole process. Efforts at addressing climate change revolve around mitigation actions aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions, and adaptation actions meant to reduce the impacts of climate change. Mitigation requires some drastic measures that are bound to affect many people in a significant way, and this has caused a lot of debate. As for adaptation, it has come to be accepted that climate change is already causing problems, with more to come so people are trying to find ways of lessening the impact. References Baker, J L 2012, Climate change, disaster risk, and the urban poor: Cities building  resilience for a changing world, World Bank, Washington, D.C. Dasgupta, A Baschieri, A 2010, ‘Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rural Ghana: Mainstreaming Climate Change in Poverty-Reduction Strategies’, Journal of  International Development, vol. 954 no.748, pp. 803-820 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2008, Climate change 2007: impacts,  adaptation and vulnerability : Working Group II contribution to the Fourth Assessment  Report of the IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva. Jones, L., Jaspars, S., Pavanello, S., Ludi, E., Slater, R., Arnall, A., Grist, N and Mtisi, S 2010, Responding to a changing climate: Exploring how disaster risk reduction, social  protection and livelihoods approaches promote features of adaptive capacity, Overseas Development Institute, London. Levine, S., Ludi, E. and Jones, L 2011, Rethinking Support for Adaptive Capacity to  Climate Change The Role of Development Interventions, Overseas Development Institute, London Low, S 2005, Climate change and Africa, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge [u.a.], Madan K 2010, Natural and anthropogenic disasters: vulnerability, preparedness and  Mitigation, Springer, Dordrecht Mehta, l 2000, â €˜Environmental Governance in an Uncertain World’, IDS Bulletin, vol. 32 no. 4, pp. 1-15 Pachauri, R 2004, ‘Climate Change and Its Implications for Development’, IDS Bulletin, vol. 35 no. 3, pp. 11-14. Pelling, M 2011, ‘Conclusion: adapting with climate change’, Adaptation to climate  change: from resilience to transformation, Routledge: New York, Schipper, L and Pelling, M 2006, ‘Disaster risk, climate change and international development: Scopes for, and challenges to, integration’, Disasters, vol. 30 no. 1, pp. 19-38. Sietz, D and Boschutz, M 2011, ‘Mainstreaming climate adaptation into development assistance: rationale, institutional barriers and opportunities in Mozambique,  Environmental Science Policy, vol. 14 no. 4, pp 493-502. Wilkinson, E 2012, Transforming disaster risk management: a political economy  approach, Overseas Development Institute, London. Willis, K 2005, Theories and Practices of Development, Routl edge, Abingdon.

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