International Business Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Business - Coursework Example Commodization turns product markets from monopolistic markets to perfect completive markets (Peng, 2013). For instance, Aqua-fresh is very distinct from Colgate. Regardless, the market treats both brands as the same product and solely compare their prices before making a purchasing idea. c. VRIO is a frame used in evaluating the strategic choices made by a firm in its quest to grow. Arguably, VRIO framework is comprised of a series of questions that make up the main argument for the evaluation of the competitive position of a given firm or organization. These components are Value, Rarity, Imitability and Organization. The question for value evaluates a firm’s ability to exploit an opportunity and neutralize threats. The question for rarity assesses the ease of obtaining resources in the industry for instance raw material. How rare are the resources and capabilities and are they controlled by a few players. The question for Imitability evaluates the ability of a firm’s products or resources to be imitated by other players in the industry. Finally, the question for Organization, evaluates the organization of power and command lines, resources and capabilities within a firm in order to capture value. This entails the culture as well as other features as w ell. d. One of the key arguments for off-shoring is the fact that it creates just as many jobs as it destroys. Arguably, off-shoring increases efficiency within an organization, increases productivity and reduces organizational costs allowing organizations to expand and create jobs that are more domestic as well (Peng, 2013). Another main argument for off-shoring is the fact that the off-shoring in the manufacturing industry has led to an increase in the wages of the employees who are opting to venture into more productive professions, and those employed domestically can also increase their incomes as well from reduced costs. However, off-shoring has led to the increase in the unemployment rates in the

Calories restriction and health in medical improvement Thesis

Calories restriction and health in medical improvement - Thesis Example Fasting prior to chemotherapy enhances the effect of the chemotherapeutic agent on the tumour and reduces the toxic side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent on the patient. However, before this benefit of calorie restriction could be used in human beings more studies are require to reinforce the findings of the twin benefits of calorie restriction. 1. Introduction 1.1. Calories Restriction Over the last seven decades evidence from insect and animal studies has pointed to the restriction of calorie intake resulting in increase in life span. These findings have led to interest developing for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of calorie restriction that bestow the health directed benefits and translating these benefits to human beings, as a means of overcoming life threatening diseases and conditions for better quality of life and increase in life spans (Koubova & Gurante, 2003). ... od pressure are considered to be biomarkers for aging, since there is a correlation between these markers and those diseases normally associated with advancing age or ageing itself. Calorie restriction studies in animals has shown to reduce these biomarkers associated with aging and hence the holding out of the promise for the use of calorie restriction with the therapeutic potential to improve the treatment of diseases and conditions associated with aging to increase life span in humans (Brown, 2008). The modern interest in calorie restriction can be traced back to 1930s and the research of the nutritionist Clive McKay. McKay and his team conducting cancer research discovered that severe calorie restriction up to 60% ad Librium levels resulted in a measurable increase in life span in rats. This interesting finding remained in cold storage for nearly three decades, as the findings were not found to be relevant to cancer research as such. Michael Ross took up this thread of investigat ion in the 1960s using Sprague-Dawley rats, to study the incidence of tumours and its age relation. The results of increased life span in rats caused by calorie restriction sparked interest among gerontologists and gerontology research. In the 1970s two groups of research investigation on calorie started, one under Roy Walford at UCLA and the other led by Edward Masoro and B.P. Yu at the University of Texas (Sprott & Austad, 2006). Walford and his team, with particular emphasis on Richard Weindruch focused on the impact of calories restriction on different models that ranged from mice to rhesus monkeys to humans. Some of these investigations continue even today and has led to general acceptance that calorie restriction has turned to be the only intervention that results in life span

Alvin Plantinga and Pluralism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Alvin Plantinga and Pluralism - Essay Example Religious pluralism can be seen as a policy or attitude that accepts the diversity of other religious belief systems, and their importance within the society. Religious pluralism can either be seen as a representation of the view that the religion of one individual is not the only source of truth. Pluralists believe that some other religions have an element of truth. Therefore, there is a need of referring to these religions and their values. This concept of religious pluralism has always existed since time immemorial. This is because the traditional societies used to worship many gods. An example is the leadership of the Roman Empire, which embraced the worship of many gods and other religions. The Roman priests used to borrow from other religious teachings, and incorporate them in their beliefs. For instance, the Romans worshipped Jupiter as the Supreme God. This was a supreme God of the ancient Greeks, and they referred to him as Zeus. Religious exclusivism, on the other hand, is a doctrine that teaches that only one religion is superior to other religions. It does not recognize or identify the principles of other religious beliefs. In its normative nature, exclusivism is the belief that the religion of an individual is superior to the religion of other individuals (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 22). Exclusivists believe that the principles and teachings of other religions are wrong, and uncalled for. The exclusivist doctrine is always linked to the teaching of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Of mice and men Essay Example for Free

Of mice and men Essay Despite the warmth of the early morning sun gradually seeping through the cracks in the bunkhouse walls, it was cold within. George lay awake, he hadnt slept all night, suddenly the door swung open and Carlson steamed in, he glanced at George and shook his head. You plannin on jus lying there all day Carlson grabbed his jacket sum people get away with murder round `ere the door banged and silence followed. George lay still, he hadnt noticed Carlsons intrusion. The door squeaked open and Candy peered in, Slim you in he spotted George and frowned he stood for a moment pondering what to say, Eh George you ok? There was no reply; he looked down at his feet sighed and left. George glanced towards the closing door then rolled to face the wall and lay silent. George felt the sun warming his back and he tilted his head round towards the source. Slim appeared, his figure blocked the brightest most piercing rays but let the warmth and light trickle through. He glided in and sat gently beside George placing his hand on his shoulder the sheriff an his men have gone. Ya gave Lenny the best quality of life possible and it took a hell o a lot guts to do what you did, you know that dont ya? George nodded, his eyes heavy with water, thanks slim George whispered. Tightening his grip on Georges shoulder ya saved him, Slim said Comfortingly. Slim sat with George until the sound of grunting engines acted as alarm clocks. Now we gotta get you up for work or the boss ll give ya hell. George allowed himself to be helped up; he was still wearing yesterdays clothes lets get you all freshed up. No refused George itll do. The sun had begun its descent behind the Gabilan mountains. The sycamores swayed in the chilled wind and over the fields a dark shadow had engulfed the workers. You go to your wifes funeral Curley? asked Carlson. Nah, replied Curley Casually I had a hell of a lot o work. George struggled to hoist the last bag of grain onto the trailer, God dammit snapped Curley hurry the hell up. Slim eyed Curley angrily as he helped George with the burden of his heavy load. Back on the farm the workers were met with the smell of sizzling bacon. A lump of potatoes and a sliver of burnt bacon were slapped onto Georges plate. He nibbled the piece of bacon but it was bitter in his mouth and he returned it to his plate. Cmon George you gotta eat something, encouraged Slim. Im not hungry slim replied George his voice barely audible. if youre not gonna eat none then Ill `ave it, no pigs gonna die in vain `long as Im `ere Carlson declared scraping it all onto his plate. Dammit Carlson, a bit o respect the guys jus lost his buddy, said whit angrily. Ye, giv im back his grub. Ordered Smitty. But he aint even gonna eat it, are ya George? Carlson replied. Just then door opened. In stepped the boss wearing his usual smart attire, his face wore a troubled expression and he scanned the room his eyes resting briefly on George and finally fixing on Slim, Slim,when youre done, a word. His voice held in a concerned tone. The office was small square room, the sunlight glinted off the silver framed paintings which hung on the wall landing some light on the bookcase at the back of the room, the desk in front of it was perpendicular to the opposing wall centred by the mahogany coloured door and the paper work on the desk was organised into alphabetical files. Knock, knock, Cmon in Slim. Curleys bin tellin me bout Georges slackin in the field today, is that right? No sir his efforts jus fine, Listen slim, keep it like that, I cant afford to be payin people for nothing and Ive had a little talk with my good friend the sheriff I ast him to keep bad publicity bout the farm as small as he could an he tol me his evidence has matched our story and has stopped his sniffin around. Thats jus fine sir, is that all? No, jus one more thing, youve bin offered a job by Murray and Ready as head ranch hand, sure as hell the salary is higher than here. You can `ave tonight to think bout it I dont want ya to leave but I aint gonna force ya to stay, thats all Slim left the room and the boss buried his face in his hands. It was Saturday night and as the cheers of the men going into town grew fainter Candy lay on his bed listening to the howling wind. A tear trickled down his old wrinkled cheek. Wiping the tear with his stump he turned his gaze to the box which was almost concealed with shadow beneath Carlsons Bunk. Rigidly he sat up he picked up the box onto the bed sudden with tears. Candy lifted the gun and placed it to his head. Just then George walked in. The Gun slipped Bang Candy shot himself in the stomach startled George looked down at the pathetic Candy. What ya doin yaw crazy bastard, cried George Covering the wound with his shirt. Candy layback on his bed. You dont understand George theyre kickin me out, they got a new cleaner comin on Monday and theyre kickin me out. The boss says he cant afford to pay me for doin nothin. I argued, I said I aint doin nothing be he wudnt listen. Its Ok said George Im gonna get you a doc. That aint no use, Ill be a goner `for hes `ere. George buried his face in his hands. George? Ye, I wish Lenny was still here an we coulda had that farm. Me too Will ya sit with me George? Course. My dog, look its my dog. The old swampers eyes shut and his head dropped. He was dead. George sat for a minute, his face as hard as wood. From outside the barn came the shouts of the men and the clink of beer bottles. The door opened and slim walked in spotting Candy he runs towards him What the hell happened to him? The boss tol him he aint no use no more and he shot `imself George despaired I was jus too late. Its ok George it was for the best He didnt have to die like this, he couldve bin on the farm with me and Lenny. It aint your fault George, none of it is, you hear? George did not answer. Now Ill jus go tell the others an then well go an giv him a good burial. Minutes later Carlson strides in Jesus Christ George, you look like hell. It was Sunday morning and as the sun began its accent in the sky Slim made his way across a peaceful courtyard and into the bunkhouse, George I need a word Whats goin on? George, Im leavin, goin to soledad to work for Murray and Ready. what the hell am I sposed to do here with all them crazy bastards when your gone? I dont like it here no more, jus last night Curley came home drunk and hung crooks like a fish on a line, Im afraid if I dont leave now Ill do somethin Ill regret. I understand sighed George. Maybe some day Ill come back an visit, goodbye George. Some day, whispered George, some day.

Samsung Galaxy Smartphones Decreased Demand

Samsung Galaxy Smartphones Decreased Demand Samsung Electronics is one of the Koreas top electronics company which was founded in 1938. It has grown from small business to be one of top leading electronics and Technology in the world. It makes many kinds of consumer devices, including DVD players, digital TVs, and digital still cameras; computers, color monitors, LCD panels, and printers; semiconductors such as DRAMs, static RAMs, flash memory, and display drivers; and communications devices ranging from wireless handsets and smartphones to networking gear. However, they are mostly popular for their Smartphones (Galaxy), which is considered as one of its mains products. Samsung Galaxy includes categories such as Galaxy Note series, Galaxy Tab Series and Galaxy S series. Samsung from several years are relaying mostly on its smartphones sale to maximizing its profit, as other products sales are showing decline such examples include home appliances and LCD TV. Unfortunately, currently Samsung are struggling to sustain their sales and profit from Galaxy smartphones. Samsung profits have been on declining demand since 2013. Despite the company being the greatest in the world when it comes to production of smart phones, the pressure that it continues to receive from the market can no longer be denied. In this year second quarter Samsung Galaxy smartphones have shown even huge profit and demand drop for its smartphones. As you can see below the chart clearly shows the Samsung profit have been going down from year 2013 and was worst in the second quarter of this year. http://www.statista.com/statistics/237093/samsungs-operating-profit-quarterly-figures/ There are various reasons for this downfall, Samsung has always used a huge marketing budget. Nevertheless, in the last quarter, its budget was far larger in ways that were not favored by the company. The company has been compelled to use huge amounts of money on promoting the older and lower-end gadgets that have been congesting its warehouses because of weak demand† . This fall in trade, together with the extra money spent on publicity has catalyzed the firm’s dwindling fortunes. Actually having, fewer shipments of high end phones, has also resulted in having and investing to market the old models has helped demand decreasing for Samsung’s. More importantly the market competition that Samsung is facing from its main rival Apple IPhone smartphones and other competitors has also contributed in weakening the demand. Decline in demand also can be attributed to their exorbitant price of smart phones. Because the Price elasticity of demand for Samsung is high, increased prices has result in less demand for its smartphones. Also, Samsung’s competitors, which are mostly based in china, are producing phones that have features that are essentially similar to those of Samsung. They are however, offering these phones at prices that are much cheaper and affordable. This has, therefore, beat the purpose of purchasing Samsung phones that are unnecessarily expensive and shifted people demand from its smartphones to their rivals’ cheaper smartphones. The decline of the sale and the demand of smart phones is caused by inability of Samsung to be more creative. For example, when it comes to the features that are contained in their many smart phones. Their S series smart phones are the typical. The cheaper ones have fewer features though. The difference in the ones that are more expensive is their size. Since the release of the S3, the subsequent ones S4 and the recently released S5 are similar in several ways. Consumers are starting to feel that these S phones are overrated and over advertised, which coincidentally has been said of the reasons Samsung is investing a lot in over advertising. This strategy is geared towards trying to get their products out of the warehouses and into the market to be purchased by the consumers. Unfortunately, this have resulted not only in having a negative impact on the sales, it’s also reduced their profit margin due to overspending and less demand. As an economic consultant observing Samsung Galaxy smartphone declining demand, I will try to recommend solutions to fix this economic problem by analyzing the root reasons. Searching and analyzing the market it was found out that there was a lot of factors that influenced Samsung smartphone sales which made it gone down in the third quarter of the year. First of all consumer taste and preference for better improved technology products. The fact of the new technology, and the willing to adapt new features and devises that made Samsung to be the second choice of its customers. In addition to that, the strong rival competition and all consumers being aware that there are other substitute smartphones that have similar even better featured, such as the IPhone, which gives negative impact on demand. For example, when Apple IPhone 6 has launched in the market, it has made major shift in demand from Galaxy to IPhone smartphones. How Samsung’s Demand could be increased In order for Samsung to recover from its decreasing demand, it should do several things such as offering prices that are competitive in the international market. Whereas the number of clients obtaining smartphones is still raising, it is growing harder for the company to tap new market for its high-end devices. This therefore suggests that the firm will have to minimize its prices in order to sell these gadgets. However, this will still reduce its profit margins. Samsung should focus its attention on shifting its product mix towards low and middle iced handsets. Under the prevailing situations, the company will have to wait and observe how it will uphold its profitability in the future. Additionally, Samsung needs to rollout new products that will stave off gains made by Apple on the larger-screen iPhones; especialty the Galaxy developer has dominated (Sakr, 2014). According to the firm, the rollout of fresh mobile models will embrace new technology that will assist to scale down production cost and comparatively that will assist to give cheaper price products. Moreover, the firm should utilize an assessment on the prices of the smartphones and come up with figures at which demand will rise for their smartphones (Sakr, 2014). By offering incentives such as headsets and phone covers, the company will be able to improve its sales. Finally, Samsung can increase its demand by offering competitive prices and embrace new technology that will assist to scale down production costs. Alternatively, if Samsung was not able to compete in market against it rival IPhone and will give up to invest any more in Smartphone. We highly recommend that it should invest more in developing and improving its tablets as it score to have a higher demand than the smart phones. Obviously by improving Samsung Smartphones quality and increasing its decreased demand, will help in raising the reduced turnover for its third quarter. Samsung makes about two third of its profit from its smartphones sales. Which means any drop in smartphones sales will have a huge impact on the company’s turnover. If Samsung was able cope with shifting market preferences that will help them stand out among competitors like Apple. Samsung deals mainly with Technology which is one of fast moving and updating things and to survive in the market, Samsung should be always ready to offer fast new technology features in their Smartphones. It mainly include keeping an eye on it main competitor â€Å"Apple IPhone† and try to offer features that are unique or at least which are offered by Apple IPhone to be able to compete in the market. This idea has been successful with IPhone when they have took over Samsung’s advantage of having big size screens which was one of reasons of people smartphone shifting demand to Samsung. IPhone has been successful to offer that feature in its IPhone 6 Plus by which it attacked Samsung’s main unique feature over IPhone. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/in-the-battle-for-best-smartphone-apple-still-beats-samsung/?_php=true_type=blogs_r=0 http://www.mobileworldlive.com/slowing-demand-reported-for-samsungs-galaxy-s4 http://recode.net/2014/07/07/samsung-says-second-quarter-tablet-sales-sluggish-as-smartphone-growth-slowed/ http://maps.yankeegroup.com/ygapp/content/10fed569fe2f4661ba2b7f2d01df77e6/50/DAILYINSIGHT/0

A Kantian Interpretation of Demonstrative Reference :: Philosophy Philosophical Kant Essays

A Kantian Interpretation of Demonstrative Reference ABSTRACT: According to Kant, we refer to what is out there in the world by performing a demonstrative act, like pointing at an object with a finger. A Kantian mode of demonstrative reference is characterized by the existence of a real, 2-placed affective relation between an intuiting subject and the referent. Parsons suggests that Kantian intuition is both singular and immediate, and immediacy demands an object of intuition to be present, a condition clearly satisfied by objects within our immediate perceptual field. But since we do not have an immediate relation with remote objects, the scope of our demonstrative reference is severely restricted by intuitional immediacy. I wish to develop a global Kantian intuition in order to extend the scope of demonstrative reference. Kant's ontology of space entails that the global representability of space be given to an intuiting subject as a form of intuition. According to Melnick, Kantian intuition is a kinematic operation which involves dir ecting attention and moving about. To make contact with the world, the subject must move away from its locale: although a spatially remote object (W) is not immediately present, we can shift our location by taking a path such that W will become so. Once we are close enough to be affected by W, we will be able to point at W and say "This." Thus, the intuitive scope of demonstrative reference is globalized as we shift our location. I A. The Semantic Content of "This" It has been suggested that Kantian intuition is analogous to the demonstrative term "This." According to Sellars, "to intuit is to represent a this." The demonstrative "This" provides a semantic model for Kantian intuition, but with some restriction. We can certainly apply the demonstrative "This" to individual items which are not proper objects of intuition, e.g., "This theory," "This thought," or "This proposition." The singularity of "This" is insufficient to characterize Kantian intuition. Since space and time are the forms of intuition, an intuitable object must have a spatio-temporal location. Hence, the demonstrative "This" is a semantic model for Kantian intuition only if it is "spatio-temporized." We can spatio-temporize "This" by performing a demonstrative act. The type of a demonstrative act can be characterized by a "2-placed de re ostension" as suggested by Howell. The function of a de re ostension is to indicate the presence of an object in our perceptual field. Pointing at an object with a finger is an example of a 2-placed de re ostension par excellence.

Consider the Scale on Which Payless Operate

MINUTES ON MEETING HELD AT THE CHURCH PREMISES (FIRST GALLERY) ON THE SUNDAY, 2ND September, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT 1. The President 2. Vice President 3. The 18 Appointed Executives ABSENT 1. 2 Appointed Executives AGENDA 1. President’s address 2. Plan for the year 3. Form of delivery 4. Achievement of plan 5. Setting up single ministries in other branches/Ghana |ITEM NO. |DESCRIPTION |ACTION | | 1. |OPENING | | | |The meeting started at 1: 07 pm with an opening prayer by the President | | | | | | | |INTRODUCTION | | |1. | | | | |The meeting was organized for the newly appointed Singles Executives to deliberate on issues and | | | |propose suggestions pertaining to the Singles Ministry. | | | | | | |PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS | | | | | | |1. |The President welcomed members to the maiden meeting and took a roll call of members present. He | | | |advised that member’s contribution was very vital to the success of the meeting, hence their | | | |opinion will be required duri ng the meeting. | | | | | | |PLAN FOR THE YEAR | | | | | | | |Members proposed the following topics: | | | |1.How to be found | | |2. 0 |2. How to choose a life partner | | | |3. Understanding of single hood | | | |4. Sustaining relationship before marriage | | | |5.Staying holy before marriage | | | |6. Ethics of a family life | | | |7. Love,Romance,Sex | | | |8. What marriage is (concept of arriage) | | | |9. Maximizing your potential as a single (networking) | | | |10. Packaging yourself for the cooperate world | | | |11. Things to say / not say | | | |12.Do’s /don’ts | | | |13. Spirtual aspect of singlehood | | | |14. What is love | | | |15.Is love necessary for marriage | | | |16. Proposing right | | | |17. How women should carry themselves | | | |18.Focus group discussions (men/women ) | | | | | | | |OTHERS | | | |19. Cooking competition | | | |20. Video shows | | | |21.Deliverance section | | |2. 1 |22. Outing (Beach, Sports, Swimming pool: Botifalls, Esukyuari) | | | | | | | |Members were asked by the President to send Emails of topics to Vice President by mid week for | | | |collation. | | | | | | |FORM OF DELIVERY OF PLAN | | | |The plan above will be in action as follows: through | | | |Seminars | | | |Quiz competition | | | |Teaching | | |2. |Sermon | | | | | | | | | | | |ACHIEVEMENT OF PLAN | | | |The achievement of plan will be based on what team members send to Vice President | | | | | | | |TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR MEMBERS | | | | | | |2. 3 |1.Bringing more singles on board (Musical shows, Worship concerts & variety night) , T-shirt, | | | |Target universities | | | | | | | |2. Innovate ways to raise funds | | |2. 4 | |Protocol Team, P. R Team & Organizing | | |3.Get a name for the Ministry |Team | | | | | | |4. Day of meetings/programme | | | | | | | | | | | |5.Implementation of all plans | | | | | | | | | | | |SETTING UP SINGLE MINISTRIES IN OTHER BRANCHES/GHANA | | | | | | | |Involving of other branches and Conferences for Ghana | | | |Will done by the President/Vice President | | | | | | | |MEETING DAYS: | | | |Members agreed that meetings be changed to Saturday nights and the next Single Meeting will be on | | |2. |Saturday, 29th September, 2012 | | | | | | | |Next meeting for Single Executives is Sunday, 16th September, 2012 | | | | |P. R Team & Organizing Team | | |CLOSING | | | |The meeting ended at 1:50pm and Mr. Kelvin Tibu (Praise &Worship Team) gave the closing prayer. |Finance Team | |3. | | | | | |All Executives | | | | | | | |Prayer Team Protocol Team Praise & | | | |Worship Team and Organizing Team | | | | | | | |All Executives | | | | | |4. 0 | | |